Columbia Road Market
HostelBloggers recently recommended the East End Thrift Store down in Stepney Green, but it’s really just one in a series of exciting retail possibilities. When it comes to cheap shopping in London, East is very much where it’s at!
Every Sunday between 8am and 2pm, Columbia Road (an otherwise unremarkable street in Hackney) is transformed into the colorful, bustling sight of market traders and flowers.
Back in the day (from 1869 to be precise), all kinds of traditional East End goods were sold here, from food (pie and mash, naturally, with perhaps a jellied eel or two…) to clothes, but now it’s just seasonal plants, herbs, bulbs and fresh-cut flowers.
It’s a narrow street so it fills up quickly with the crowds, creating an enjoyable buzz. Even if your fingers aren’t particularly green, it’s a fun spot just to roam about.
There’s a good bit of people watching, too - especially the traders. We always have a (slightly immature) giggle at the sight of these big guys loudly extolling the virtues of their choice blooms in broad cockney…
Situated in the heart of Shoreditch, the nearest tube (Old Street or Bethnal Green) is a bit of a walk away but the streets surrounding the market are also good for a stroll. Nearby Ezra Street and Ravenscroft Street have some more random stalls to browse, along with a sprinkling of cafes and shops.
Lining Columbia Road itself are a number of trendy galleries, design stores and boutiques (we are in Shoreditch after all…) which all add to the eclectic crowd and atmosphere at the market.
The community’s Jewish roots are also evident, with filled bagels nestling in the window of Cafe Columbia that make a tasty, inexpensive brunch.
All in all, in HostelBloggers’ humble opinion, a pretty cool way to pass a Sunday in the big city!
