For a refreshingly different start to the day, one of my favourite places to go in London is New Covent Garden Market, confusingly based off the beaten track in Vauxhall. If you are looking to buy large volumes of flowers for an event or special occasion this is the place the professionals go.

The selection of flowers and foliage is vast and the wholesale prices are superb, though you have to be an early bird to get the ‘pick of the bunch’. Market traders set up camp as early as 3am Monday to Saturday, and the majority have packed up by 9am (although it doesn’t officially close until 11am). It’s well worth the early start, however, and there are plenty of bacon rolls and coffee on hand to help you wake up!

The market is especially lovely to visit at Christmas time as each of the stallholders showcase their finest festive displays. It’s a brilliant place to get into the spirit of things, glean some decorative inspiration and gather all the necessary ingredients to put together your very own Christmas creations.

Photo courtesy of EG Focus on Flickr