London is often considered one of the greatest cities in the world. It is known for its wide range of famous museums, art exhibitions, and the large variety of sights that tourists are able to enjoy. For those who love flowers, there is also not a shortage of flower markets that you can visit during your time in London.
Whether you simply want to observe the beauty of these flowers or buy a few bunches, there are many locations to choose from if you need a flower market in London. We are going to take a closer look at some of the best flower markets in London that you should definitely visit.
Columbia Road Flower Market
When it comes to flowers in London, one of the most well known options is the Columbia Road market. This particular market spans over an entire road and gives you access to some of the best flowers that are available in the local area.
One thing that makes Columbia Road Market such a unique place to visit is the fact that it has become a community and not just a shopping area. The market was first created in 1869 and still continues to thrive in the modern day.
There are currently six traders that operate at the Columbia Road Market in order to ensure there is always a diverse selection of flowers that customers can pick from. These traders include:
- Leahurst Nurseries
- Rainforest Relics
- JD Succulents & Cacti Ltd
- A.E. Harnett & Sons
- The Flower Stall Market Square
- Rathbone Flowers
Columbia Road Market is not just about the flowers, however. There are several other amenities that you can enjoy while you browse through the various flowers that are available at these stalls. This includes a convenient coffee shop that allows you to sit down and watch as the street gets busier during the day.
New Spitalfields Market
Next on our list is New Spitalfields Market. This isn’t just a flower market, but actually a market where you are able to find quite a large diversity of items – from delicious foods and snacks all the way to some creative handcrafted objects. This is actually a type of wholesale market, but there are still many vendors that offer singular items – especially when it comes to flowers.
New Spitalfields Market is not just a great choice for people who want to pick up a bouquet of flowers. This particular market is also an ideal choice for those looking to start their own flower shop. This is due to the wholesale element that you will find at the market. By providing you with flowers at wholesale prices, you are able to turn a profit when you decide to sell the flowers that you get from the market.
One thing to note is that the trading time for New Spitalfields Market is not exactly the same every day. There are times where the trading is only allowed at midnight through to the early hours of the next morning. It is a good idea to call ahead of time and confirm the trading hours for the specific day when you wish to visit the market.
Mare Street Market
Mare Street Market is a go-to location if you want one site that really has everything. This particular market also spans over the length of an entire street and includes a large number of small businesses that form the market and community.
If you are looking to pick up some flowers at the Mare Street Market, then head over to Rebel Rebel Flowers. They are open from 9:30 to 18:30 on weekdays, as well as on Saturdays. You can also pay a visit to Rebel Rebel Flowers on Sundays, as they are open from 10:00 to 17:00.
Apart from Rebel Rebel Flowers, there are several other amenities and shops to explore in the market. This includes a bar, an open kitchen, and a dining room. There is a deli, a coffee shop, a tattoo artist, and a barber. As you can imagine, there truly is something for everyone at the Mare Street Market.
Borough Market
Similar to Mare Street Market, Borough Market is also a large marketplace that consists of many vendors that work together to create a friendly and uplifting atmosphere. It is certainly a good place for people who want to pick up some flowers, in which case you should head over to The Gated Garden in the Borough Market.
The Gated Garden offers a range of flower arrangements, as well as plants and ornaments that you can use to decorate your garden. The business is owned by Sharon Crane who has a love for flowers and plants. She offers friendly advice for any customer and has been operating The Gated Garden since 2013. If you get lost, don’t worry. You can simply head over to the official Borough Market website and navigate to The Gated Garden’s page. At the bottom of the page, you will find a map of the entire market, which makes it easier to find what you are looking for.
Berwick Street Market
Next up is Berwick Street Market. One thing that you will notice once you first enter the market is the fact that it has a very large focus on food. There is a wide range of foods that you can discover at Berwick Street Market – so be sure to stop by a few stalls while you make your way to the flower area.
The market may not be as big as some of the others that we have mentioned, but it still offers you the ability to enjoy a small community that is ready to help you find what you are looking for. The entire market has an open-plan structure, which allows you to walk through the street in order to navigate the different stalls that are available. There are many stalls here, including ones that specialize in hot drinks, Mexican food, artisan bread, making falafels, and selling a range of fresh produce.
If you are looking for some flowers, then you’ll need to navigate to Ronald Stannet’s stall. This is actually one of the oldest flower stalls to existing not only in Berwick Street Market, but also within London as a whole.
Tips For Finding And Visiting Flower Markets In London
Now that we have shared some of the best flower markets you can find in London, we also want to give you a few tips. When you are faced with such a diverse range of markets to explore, you may not even know where to start.
One of the first tips that we want to give is that most flower markets in London open very early in the morning. It is a good idea to plan out your trip to the flower market beforehand. This way, you can ensure you are already in front of the market at opening time. The main reason why you should try to go as early as possible is that this will allow you to get the freshest flowers. Many people find that if they visit these markets too late in the day, most of the flowers are already sold out. Of course, many of the markets will restock their supply of flowers throughout the day – but it is generally still a good idea to go as early as you can.
In terms of finding the best flower markets, use a map tool like Google or Apple Maps. Most of these markets have an online presence today, which makes it easier to find them on a map. This can be exceptionally useful for someone who is only visiting London and does not know the city well. You’ll be able to easily find these flower markets and guidance on how to travel to them.
Be sure to look at reviews and even ask the locals. They might be able to suggest their favorite markets that they go to when they want to pick up some flowers.
While you are out shopping for flowers, make sure you have a secure way to store your luggage. This way, you don’t have to carry heavy bags with you when you want to enjoy the views of London and visit these flower markets. A luggage storage agency can help you identify local hotels and shops that provide such secure storage services.
Conclusion
Whether you want to get a bouquet of flowers for a loved one or add some bright colors to your house, you won’t find it difficult to locate a flower market in London. One problem, however, is that they do not all offer the same quality and diversity when it comes to picking out your desired flowers. We looked at the best flower markets in London that you should focus on when you find yourself in need of roses, lilies, tulips, orchids, or any other flower options.
References
https://columbiaroadmarket.co.uk/traders
https://newspitalfieldsmarket.co.uk/
https://boroughmarket.org.uk/traders/the-gated-garden/
Hi! I am George and I am the Content Lead for Stasher.com. I love travel, writing, making music and meeting new and interesting people.