Monday 26 November 2007

Columbia Road Market


Yesterday, despite on the mend from a cold, I ventured out in the frosty air to Columbia Road street market in the East End of London, near Brick Lane to be precise. Columbia Road is an open air street market selling all manners of flowers, shrubs and trees, (yes, trees, young trees to be precise and of course, Christmas trees).



Its famous for its low costs compared to the supermarkets and gardens centres and there's always a bargain to be had, especially nearing packing up time in the mid afternoon. The stall holders shout out their best prices on the top of their voices in competition with their neighbours, and the cacophony of sounds add to the charm of the market.




Around the market there are wonderful gift shops and stalls selling art, decorative accessories, kitchen stuff, cools stuff and food.



Cupcakes.. they are everywhere I read..



There are pubs and buskers and full of tourists with cameras. Its a bustling area not unlike Portobello Road, but more East End, and definitely worth a visit.


This is a shop selling fresh olives and olive oil with free tasting too! I tried some Colchester oysters round the corner from here. They were fresh and tasty but a bit small. At £1.50 a pop, it was reasonable I thought.




The market is only open on weekend mornings and run till around 3pm, nevertheless it does attract the crowds to this little section of East London. Brick Lane is also a short walk away and that is another enclave of trend (and Indian food) to be reported on another weekend.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your cold was realy cured?
If so it's very good.
I still fight against a head cold.

I am happy that I'm able to look
the market with the vigor.
Thank you for an invitation!

Is this about 9:15 a.m.?

Kak Teh said...

Steven, I cant believe you went out when you are still having that cold!!
But nice to see those pix of Brick Lane - Last time i was there was years ago...Love the atmosphere.

Tracy Tan said...

i always enjoy your pictures!

svllee said...

Hello Honey, thanks for visiting my blog, I am following your blog closely, and love to see where you visit everyday. 9:15? No that is the picture of the Christmas lights in Regent Street in London taken at 9:15pm. It is a bit boring but the modern lights go well with the old Victorian architecture there.

svllee said...

Hi Kak Teh! You are always welcome here. Brick Lane is actually super trendy, will try to get there someday! Of course, there is the brilliant Monica Ali movie that will be released soon of the same name.

Hi Tracy, you are welcome too, you have inspired me to go out and photograph everything!