If you’ve never ventured this far south, take it from us: Richmond is a lovely little slice of London. Aside from boasting a lovely park with a host of deer, and one of the prettiest cafes in the capital, the Hollyhock Café, Richmond is also home to the charming Petersham Nurseries. Part garden centre, part foodie haven, this should be at the top of any aesthetic-obsessed Londoner’s bucket list.

First things first though: Petersham Nurseries is a place for nature lovers. Their greenhouses are filled with fabulous foxgloves, heavenly hydrangeas, and a cornucopia of cacti, along with tools and bespoke gardening equipment.

Anyone looking to jazz up their green spaces should make a beeline for this place. It’s particularly lovely on a gorgeous summer’s day, when the sun-drenched greenhouse becomes on of the prettiest spots in London. But it never loses its charm, being simply stunning no matter the weather, season, or bloom!

More than just plants…

If you can tear your eyes away from the plants, however, then Petersham Nurseries can refurbish much more than just your garden. They’ve got an entire glasshouse dedicated to bespoke and utterly charming homeware, with everything from stylish clocks to nifty tableware on display.

And don’t miss the selection of vintage goods, either, you’ll find yourself turned into a proper antiquarian. It’s no exaggeration to say that I coveted all of it on my last visit to Petersham Nurseries, and I suspect you’re likely to feel the same way…

Oh, but Petersham Nurseries doesn’t stop there. They also boast a rather picturesque pergola, which goes very nicely with a spot of of tea. The food is pretty excellent here, too, whether that’s cake in their charming Teahouse, or whether you’re sitting down for a meal at The Café. To cap it all off, they’ve even been awarded the Green Michelin Star for two years running off the back of their delicious food and their focus on sustainability.

The whole place is – dare we say – Instagram goals. And whilst we freely admit to saying that about a lot of places in London, it definitely rings true at Petersham Nurseries. It’s a lovely spot for a wander come rain or shine, but you certainly won’t regret a sunny day out here. Particularly if that day is your wedding day: Petersham Nurseries are licensed to host nuptials, so if you fancied saying “I do” beneath a canopy of plants, you can.

Petersham Nurseries in Central London

For anyone fretting that Richmond is a monstrous trek of a journey, a sister branch is closer to town. Their Covent Garden site encompasses two flagship restaurants, La Goccia and The Petersham, for relaxed Italian small plates (La Goccia) or a more opulent dining experience. There’s even a heated courtyard for a slice of Italy in the form of al fresco dining.

For those in the know, there’s an intimate cocktail bar tucked away behind a dark velvet curtain in La Goccia. There guests can gather with friends and family in the secluded space to enjoy signature cocktails inspired by seasonal ingredients. The bar hosts DJs, live music, and entertainment, in a space equally suited for lounging and sitting, or dancing through the night.

That’s still not all, though! There’s also a deli in Central London, which takes inspiration from “the spirit of an authentic Italian café”. There you can sip at organic coffee and loose-leaf teas, and fill your stomach with pastries galore. You can also grab their teas, wines, and various other foodie goodies to take away. It’s a proper one-stop-shop. All nestled together in the same area, it’s a veritable destination of Petersham-ness!

So, Petersham Nurseries has plants, food, and interior inspo – what’s not to love?

Also published on Medium.