Londoners love a good market, and the Columbia Road Flower Market is one of the most impressive in the city. A flower market which is a real feast for the senses, you can expect lots of great colour and incredible scents, as well as the chance to pick up some flowers of your own while staying in the city.
Open every Sunday between 8am-3pm and filled with stunning floral finds, once you’ve finished exploring, there’s lots of great places to visit right on the doorstep. Here’s out brief guide to the best things to do nearby…
Visit the Geffrye Museum
Looking at life from the 1600s right up to the present day, the Geffrye Museum is a unique museum focusing on the role of the home. There are fantastic, authentic period details in each room, as well as almshouses restored to their former glory and beautiful gardens. The museum offers a virtual tour, perfect for catching a glimpse of what to expect – with each room arranged as a chronological journey through history. If you’re a history buff, this is one attraction you won’t want to miss during your next stay with us at the Grand Royale London Hyde Park hotel.
Take a tour with Alternative London
London has plenty of incredible tours to help you uncover a new side of the city, but if you want to see the UK capital in a new light, opt for one of the tours provided by Alternative London. The Street Art Tour is particularly popular, and will help you to uncover some of the key destinations for urban art throughout the city. From Banksy right through to lesser known and emerging street artists, it’s a fantastic choice for adding some new photos to your Instagram feed.
Browse Broadway Market
Another of London’s wonderful markets, Broadway Market is noted for its fashion finds, including independent designers, vintage creations and items direct from the best boutiques in the city. Famed for its fashion credentials, the market is far less busy than some of its competitors, yet still has more than 80 stalls to search through during your visit.
Having overcome a few years of decline, Broadway Market has been revitalised since 2004, and is now experiencing a new lease of life as a trendy space packed with hipsters and the pioneering items they’re seeking. If you’re hungry after all that shopping, head back to the hotel and dine at one of our best London restaurants.
Discover Rich Mix
One of London’s foremost creative centres, Rich Mix presents a diverse selection of artistic events including everything from dance to theatre, comedy and visual arts. The venue is noted for supporting the work of emerging creative figures, making it a great place to visit if you’re in the mood to discover something new and unique. In addition, Rich Mix also hosts a variety of talks designed to make you think, as well as providing top quality entertainment.
Enjoy nature at Boundary Gardens
There are lots of stunning green spaces in London, from large, sprawling Royal Parks to smaller and more intimate gardens and meeting spaces. Boundary Gardens (sometimes known as Boundary Estate Gardens) were first developed in 1900, intended to provide a natural focal point in Shoreditch as nearby slums were cleared and redeveloped.
Boundary Gardens was opened by the Prince of Wales (who became Edward VII), and features a number of great details, including an authentic Victorian-era bandstand and stunning flower beds. In 2009, redevelopment work helped to restore and preserve Boundary Gardens, and the area now provides a lovely space for peace and quiet close to the Columbia Road Flower Market.
Head for Hackney City Farm
This delightful city farm is open all year round, including Sundays. While a farm might be the last thing you expect in the heart of London, Hackney City Farm is a wonderful space where visitors can meet a variety of farmyard animals including pigs, donkeys, sheep and chickens.
Shop at Boxpark Shoreditch
Created from a series of shipping containers, Boxpark Shoreditch is a shopping complex with a difference. Supporting both popular brands and independent traders, this is a great spot for you to pick up a few unique finds while staying at London hotels near Hyde Park. Whether you’re looking for a new accessory or eager to pick up some souvenirs, there’s plenty to keep you entertained here.
Explore Brick Lane
Brick Lane is one of the most vibrant parts of London, with plenty to see and do. Brick Lane Market takes place each Sunday, and provides access to five markets all in one place. If this doesn’t take your fancy, then you can always pick up some vinyl at Brick Lane’s Rough Trade East, or browse the wide variety of independent traders all around the area.
See a film at Electric Cinema
A trip to the cinema is a great activity for relaxing after a day of shopping, and Electric Cinema is cinema at its finest! The Shoreditch venue offers plush individual seating and your own table (complete with a lamp). There’s a real vintage-feel about the space, and here you’ll have access to a selection of new releases and classic movies, helping to provide a unique experience while staying at the Grand Royale London Hyde Park Hotel.
Visit the V&A Museum of Childhood
There are a great many museums throughout London, but this is one of the most unique – as well as being only a stone’s throw away from the Columbia Road Flower Market. Filled with artefacts which take a look at the changing experience of childhood over the centuries, it’s a wonderful combination of relatable and unusual, and merits a browse before you scout out the best London restaurants for a delicious meal.
Check out the Sunday Up-Market
First opening in 2004, the Sunday Up-Market is home to over 140 creative traders, which span a wide variety of different sectors including art, fashion and interior design. It’s the ideal market to check out after you’ve done your fair share of browsing and shopping at Columbia Road Flower Market. Popular with visitors and London locals alike, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
