I’m a country girl at heart but I loved living in London for a few years, there is always so much going on so I love to pop back for day trips when I can. Over the Bank Holiday weekend I went into London to catch up with a friend from University and since we decided to meet up on a Sunday it seemed like a great opportunity to visit the Columbia Road Flower Market. Arriving into Liverpool Street meant we ventured through Old Spitalfield’s Market and down Brick Lane.

This part of London is buzzing on a Sunday and you are spoilt for choice when it comes to treats and boutique shops. We stumbled across a wonderful chocolate shop called Dark Sugars which displays stunning chocolates disguised as pearls in conch shells alongside cocoa dusted truffles and slices of orange dipped in delicious chocolate. You can buy just a couple if you wish or splash out on a beautiful box full. I tried a few including the wild strawberry pearl, a hazelnut truffle and an orange and salted caramel chocolate. Moving on we picked up fresh fruit juice and made our way to Columbia Road.

As you walk the last few roads to Columbia Road you wouldn’t believe you were moments away from the hive of activity that surrounds the flower market. The stretch of Columbia Road taken over for the flower market is not actually that long but the crowds and incredible variety of flowers, plants, and trees means that it can take a good forty minutes to get from one end to the other. If you’re after a bargain I believe the best time to arrive is from around 2pm but if you want the best selection the market opens from 8am.

Last year I decided to buy peonies for Newman every year as they bloom around her birthday so I was on the lookout for these while my friend was looking for indoor friendly succulents. I often see the beautiful pink peonies but I was taken by the deeper claret shade I spotted and couldn’t resist them, you might have spotted them on my Instagram grid. It is amazing to see the variety of flowers and if you’re not an expert the person next you may well be and the vendors are happy to offer advice.

Along the edges and down some side streets are an array of beautiful shops, cafés and pop ups like the Oyster Boy. Here you could buy anything from exquisite stationery and mosaic tiles to baby outfits and antique furniture. The buzzing atmosphere is accompanied by live musicians and the call of stall holders calling out their bargains.

We made our way back to Spitalfield’s for a late brunch at Blixen which is a beautiful brasserie that can be accessed from Brushfield Street but also looks into the market. It has a botanical garden feel with intimate seating areas and beautiful light fixtures. I felt spoilt for choice by the brunch menu and indulged in the potato rosti with salt beef and poached eggs with the Grape Nojito cocktail both of which I would thoroughly recommend.

If you’re looking for an easy day out in London on a Sunday you can’t go wrong in this part of town. I’m sure I will be back to London for more adventures before long so do let me know if you have any tips or recommendations! For now I’ll just leave a few more snaps from the day.