Tipped

Three bunches a fiver!

September 23, 2008

After the Borough Market, the Columbia Road Flower Market is my number one place to take folx from out of town. Enter from the Ropley Street end to really appreciate the diamond-in-the-rough-end-of-Bethnal-Green feel to this magical collection of flower stalls, frou-frou homewares shops and dreamy cafes and pubs. And if you really want to nab a bargain, be like the locals and turn up after 1.30pm when all the flowers drop to half price. Calls of "Three bunches for a fiver, ladies!" will get your heart racing, if, like me, the idea of filling your house full of beautiful and very cheap flowers really ticks your tock. And if the excitement gets all too much, grab yourself a cupcake or three at Treacle. The shops linng Columbia Road really deserve individual postings... the sorts of places you wish you had unlimited dough to spend in. But if you're happy to window shop and head home with armsful of roses for a tenner, then this is the place for you.

Tags: flowers, market, homewares, cupcakes

Flower heaven

April 07, 2008

This market is one of my favourites in town, 2nd actually after Borough. To hear the banter beeing shouted in the thickest of thick east London accents between the stalls makes it worth the trip alone. Every Sunday morning the road gets filled to the brim with flowers and plants for both in & outdoors. It tends to get rather packed so get there early to beat the crowd.
Dont miss the eclectic little shops with arts and crafts that gets a bit hidden away behind all the plants.

Top tip, go on a really miserable, grey and cold rainy day for proper bargains!!!

Tags: tourist free, flowers, market, cafe

Burly Men Selling Flowers

October 17, 2007

I knew that there were going to be lots of flowers here. I mean, it is a "flower" market after all. I didn't realize (1) how crazy busy it gets, and (2) how funny it is to have burly guys hawking flowers. It just makes me giggle. One flat of petunias, a fiver, just for you. Everything seems to cost a fiver, which means that you should probably try to drive a hard bargain. A few more flower pot sellers would complete the experience, but the selection is sadly lacking. However, if you buy pots, then you have to somehow lug them home. Getting a Phalaenopsis home on a crowded bus was challenge enough.

Tags: flower market, plants & flowers

Flowers Galore

September 01, 2007

This is a great way to spend a Sunday morning (and also a good option for visiting relatives) although it does get very busy, so elbows at the ready. Flowers, indoor and outdoor plans, and a lovely selection of east end wheeler dealers. Have a laugh at the banter between them as they jostle for your business "3 fer a pound daaarling! Luvely Jubbley!" The central flower path is lined on each side by small independent shops - you can get anything and everything here from eclectic furniture, super cheap crockery, perfume, soft furnishings to fresh bagels and hot pies. The flowers are dirt cheap and the selection is vast, although the quality is sometimes variable, so check before you buy.
After you've had enough of the hustle and bustle, it's only a hop skip and a jump down to Brick Lane/Spitalfields where you can rest your weary body and your dahlias in one of many cafes.

Tags: flowers, market