Petersham Nurseries is a lovely, whimsical, botanical escape for Londoners. Located in Richmond, nestled between the Thames and countryside landscape, Petersham Nurseries is accessible by train or a quick jaunt for those with a car. Brimming with treasures for the garden, taste buds and home alike, this London treasure is already a beloved destination in our English life. We’ve already made two visits since discovering over the holidays with my mum.
Suitable for a romantic date night dinner (book a couple months in advance), entertaining visitors or even a place to bring little ones so they awe at the twinkling lights, Petersham Nurseries is worth visiting for those expanding their own English roots.
THE SHOP
From bespoke treasures for the home to blooming beauties for the terrace, the shop at Petersham Nurseries is designed for the classic English home. I picked up a tiny but powerful French candle for the bedroom. I’m eyeing a few of their journals for a new book project I’m brewing (each book I write has its own journal for research). We are planning to spruce up our balcony come springtime with a few plants and vases from the garden center. Truly a quintessential London treasure box we’ll return to time and time and again.
THE FOOD
The culinary experience at Petersham Gardens is, so far, my favourite in London. The food is strictly seasonal with a menu that changes every day. While I imagine these gardens are at their summit of beauty during spring and summertime, I’m truly pleased my first experience was winter (the season of comfort food). We had hearty oven-roasted potatoes, baked to perfection the oven with rosemary and a generous amount of olive oil. Also on the table: heavenly burrata, steamed winter greens, a creamy pumpkin risotto and Tuscan bean stew. This will undoubtedly be a go-to stop when hosting family and friends in London.
THE TEAHOUSE
If you’re on a budget or want to make Petersham escapes a more regular part of your London routine, skip the main dining reservation and go straight to Petersham’s teahouse and café. Hearty salads, sandwiches and pastas with locally harvested ingredients all set under a darling greenhouse canopy. The café is also perfect for an afternoon tea destination or post-dinner dessert. The cakes are lush and friendly for vegans and those with gluten intolerance. Both coffee and tea are delicious, though I opted for a wintery cinnamon blend to celebrate the last days of the holiday season.
THE WORKSHOPS & EVENTS
One of my Londoner to-dos is to take a workshop at Petersham Nurseries in 2020. Nurturing more classic and traditional habits is a personal priority since my career is very much online. Learning calligraphy for personal notes, improving (and printing) photography, taking riding lessons and keeping a garden alive on our terrace is all on my list this year. Also, I’m on a mission to master a few signature recipes as a hostess (I’m not a natural cooking talent, so three to five recipes will suffice). I’m already eyeing the “Pruning Roses” workshop and perhaps something more of the culinary or crafty nature in autumn. Petersham also has a Covent Garden location locally in London with workshop offerings.
THE WALK
In my devoted walker opinion, the only way to have the full Petersham Nurseries experience is either beginning or ending it with a proper walk. I was eager to swap Italian leather loafers for my trusted Le Chameau wellies. If you plan on eating the wholesome offerings into an oblivion, working up a hunger or walking it off thereafter is always a good idea. Richmond Park has the distinct feeling of the English countryside (and spotting herds of deer is almost a guarantee) xx
