Petersham Nurseries, a secret paradise in a stunning location

London is that city where you can stay for weeks and still not visit everything there is to see. That's why I'm going to focus on a place that justifies a trip to London,  Petersham Nurseries. Although it currently has two locations, most recently in Covent Garden, I'm going to focus on the original location in Richmond, as its location is unique with a truly magical atmosphere.

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Located next to Richmond Park and Petersham Meadow within London's historic 'Arcadia' Thames landscape, this area is characterised by its incredible beauty and sensitivity. It is no wonder that this café, teahouse, restaurant, shop, garden and plant nursery is difficult to describe. But I can certainly say for sure that Petersham Nurseries Richmond is as beautiful as it is unique. As Lara Boglione, daughter, and successor to the founders, describes it, a place of calm, a place to reconnect with nature, renewing a sense of balance. A celebration of home and gastronomy, an opportunity to surrender to the charms of a slower life and adopt a positive lifestyle.

Viewed on the blog of Mollie Moore

This secret garden oasis, hideaway located less than an hour from the city, is much bigger than it looks, so the hours fly by as you walk through its gardens. After this stroll I recommend you visit their shop. If you like gardening, it's a dream come true. They have everything from their own seed mix to tools and beautiful pots. Even if you're a flower killer you can't help but take some home with you. 

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Next to the garden shop is a quiet glass building that serves as a teahouse, a lovely place to relax. Besides herbal teas, made from whole leaves, it offers healthy seasonal food throughout the day, complemented by fresh salads, along with homemade cakes and freshly ground coffee. You don't need to book, unless you want to enjoy their afternoon tea on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in the garden. A different gastronomic option that breaks away from the original ceremony with innovative options such as the olive oil cake with figs and pistachios or the wild mushroom tartlets.

Photo by Petersham Nurseries

Viewed on the blog of Mollie Moore

Photo by Petersham Nurseries

If you're still hungry for more, I suggest you go to the café, warm, cosy and full of antique furniture with a markedly romantic air, an incredible space hidden in a greenhouse under hundreds of tree branches, brimming with scented bougainvillea and jasmine. Their menu changes every day depending on what is harvested from their garden. Everything is cooked with their own fruit and vegetables. Here you can enjoy intense flavours and first-class ingredients with risky proposals that do not abandon the purity and honesty of their cuisine.

Pictures viewed in Petersham Nurseries

After lunch I recommend wandering around their decor shop, where you could spend the rest of the day without even realising it. It has a selection of beautiful homewares, some eclectic, all unique, from handmade ceramics to furniture and antiques, to glassware and blankets. These include chandeliers, mirrors and antique furniture, both locally and internationally made, not forgetting their candles scented with the flowers from their own garden.

Viewed on the blog of Mollie Moore

Photo by Petersham Nurseries

If you're wondering how a place with such a special atmosphere can exist, I think I have the answer: it's true to the essence of the family that founded it. Its history dates to the late 1970s when Gael and Francesco Boglione moved their family from central London to Richmond. Their new home, Petersham House, overlooked a local plant nursery, which had been dug out of the grounds of their house. Francesco, inspired by his youthful travels to India, saw the possibility of bringing out the beauty in the simplest things, the natural style, the elegance, and this evolved the space into what it is today. 

Photo by Petersham Nurseries

In 2004, after a renovation, the greenhouse reopened, completely transformed. Among the plants adorning the greenhouse were furniture, gifts and antiques, and in the wooden tea house, they started to offer whole leaf teas and homemade cakes. Gael's love of nature and the countryside, combined with Francesco's desire to offer products and services in a peaceful and beautiful setting by the river did the rest. Over the years, the two, along with the rest of their family and especially their eldest daughter, have developed the place, drawing on the experiences of their travels and bringing their Italian and Australian cultures into this environment. This English Garden reflects their values, where ethics meets aesthetics. This is demonstrated from the way they look after their staff, to what is sold and served, the origin of their products,... making it a family business that is 100% responsible and involved with its community. 

I have no doubt the place is a must visit. Petersham Nurseries Richmond is well worth a visit, even if you don't spend much time in London.  

Your private oasis can be in your own home, and here are some ideas on how to create it.

1. Bree metal cake tin Ø26xH19 cm This kitchenware accessory allows you to keep baking recipes visible thanks to its transparent glass lid. Elegant and timeless, it brings a romantic touch to your kitchen. 2. Coquette glass jar candle with lid 700 gr. Thanks to its design and the detail of the ribbon, it not only scents your rooms but also decorates them. When the candle runs out, you can use it as a jewellery box. 3. Ubi napkin tray 11x6.5xH9.5 cm made of metal with silver finish. Dress up and organise your table with this functional and beautiful tableware accessory with a style that transcends fashion. 4. Khotan terracotta planter Ø38xH25 cm  stands out for its practicality and resistance to outdoor use due to its material, which makes it perfect for your outdoor areas such as terraces, porches or gardens. You can combine it with other sizes of the same design. 5. Ticona elm wood table Ø105xH75 cm, its circular top, natural finish and pedestal-type lathe foot makes this piece of furniture irresistible. 6. Capiz pendant lamp Ø50 cm  this reinterpretation of the empire style lamps brings elegance and naturalness to your space. Made with mother-of-pearl flakes and silver-finish rope coverings, this lighting object is a classic with an original and marked character. 7. Artificial bouquet Ruysch H60 cm  its cream-coloured flowers in different shapes and petals provide warmth and a natural touch.