I’ll never forget the first time a friend introduced me to Petersham Nurseries. It was in 2005 and I thought I had found the most beautiful oasis in London. Having always lived north of the river, taking a trip down to Richmond and beyond is always a real treat.
Last weekend, on a glorious sunny day, we took a drive down to Richmond. No trip down south west is complete without a visit to the glorious and unique Petersham Nurseries. Over the years I’ve seen the business expand. I’ve either been for tea, now in a Teahouse serving a simple, light Italian-inspired lunch menu with homemade cakes, or had lunch or dinner in the Restaurant (while the so amazing Skye Gyngell was still installed as head chef). Sometimes I simply just wanted to buy plants and herbs or to indulge in the most gorgeous shop with an incredible selection, from antiques, homewares, decorative items, stoneware and so much more.
This time I came with a purpose. Yes, I needed an indoor plant for my recent Urban Jungle post!
Armed with my camera and having obtained permission from the lovely Giselle McCarthy (shop buyer extraordinaire), who gave me expertly advise on all matters ‘Hydrangeas’, I couldn’t walk away without taking some snaps. The sun was streaming through the absolutely stunning looking greenhouse. People were enjoying lunch in the restaurant at the back, while others were leisurely admiring everything in the shop.
Let me show you around. It goes without saying I could have bought most things in there!
The Greenhouse is stunningly decorated.
Astier de Villatte Robinson Collection Vases | Table Chandelier
Great nook. Particularly loving the planter wired stand!
Stunning Display Cabinet | Bread Boards
The terracotta, the copper and Indian paintings against the painted background is too beautiful for words. I love the storage jars with copper lids and bought one.
Beautiful Astier de Villatte Tableware
Rounded wooden Dovecote | Astier Decorative Plates
Stone Pots | Wonderful Decoration of Greenhouse
Nectarine Tree | Wondertful vase wares. Gutted I didn’t pick these up, including the pitcher.
Liquid Soaps, Hardware Brushes | Ostrich Feather Duster
Hydrangeas | Plant Pots
Original Indian Carousel Horse | Vintage Dogs Toys
Vintage Indian Horse
Friendly Mr. Mouse (want!) | White Stone Duck (want!)
Stone Frog
Stone Mushroom, Stone Animal | Stone Statue on Plinth
I cannot wait for my next visit. Who wants to join me?
21 Comments
What a beautiful place, Tina! I’d love to go there one day too! And so glad our Urban Jungle Bloggers post contributed to yet another blogpost here:-) Happy sunny Monday!
Well, you know me.. I’m a storyteller… there’s always a beginning, middle and end:-)
Now you know where Magda came from and if you look closely at some of the Hydrangeas I photographed, none were as ‘perfect for me’ as she was!
So nice to see where your beautiful hydrangea came from! It looks like a dangerous place for you with so many “want!” items 😉 I’d love to join you next time! xx
Hahaha, yes, it gives me great pleasure to show where she originates from.
Oh, it’s a SERIOUSLY DANGEROUSLY place. I could buy most things there and eat to my hearts content. It’s always such a treat to visit. I try and limit myself so that it always stays a ‘treat’.
Anytime, maybe a European bloggers meet up… xx
We’ve had so many magazine articles over here about Skye Gyngell (her father Bruce Gyngell was the first man to appear on Australian television in 1956) and Petersham Nurseries. It’s a place I’d love to visit and would love to have gone there when Skye was the Head Chef.
It looks beautiful, I also love those jars with the copper lids. Omgosh would love to join you, what a lovely day out. xx
Wow, how interesting that Skye’s father was the first man to appear on Australian television in 1956…
You would ABSOLUTELY love it.. The Teahouse with food and tea/coffee is gorgeous, the Restaurant and food delicious (yes, I loved when Skye was Head Chef), the greenery and shop to die for… it would be a perfect outing… BUT you’ve chosen NYC:-)) #onlykidding xx
oh – yes I would love to when next in London town. Love the stone frog … shout out when you next visit. Haven;t been for ages,was a secret bolt hole of mine when I lived in London! xx
Hi Marisa, It’s so very wonderful…. yes, frog, goose, I want them all… love the idea of having a little stone d=family. Have a gorgeous Turtoise and a Bhudda. I do need the Goose….
Definitely used to be a secret haunt of mine when I first discovered it and I only took special people there:-)) xx
I swear, everytime I visit Petersham, I want to take home the entire shop! I love it! The cafe is just blissful to be in. I’m so glad you wrote a post about it, your photo’s do it so much justice! I can’t wait to visit again when spring comes and everything is blooming, I bet it will be amazing! xD
Hahaha, I soooo believe you…so do I, btw!!
Everything is blissful.
You know I have been a few times since I’ve started blogging, but either I didn’t have my camera or the weather wasn’t right… I was waiting for the right time to do it justice, if you know what I mean…
Maybe we go there together… maybe a bloggers meet up when it gets warmer? Surely it must be worth the treck:-) xx
Oh how I loved going to Richmond, take a stroll on the river, look at the shops – FAB. I never managed to visit Petersham nurseries, and I SOOOO need to go. These images are fantastic, and I too could buy every single item in there. Have a great day Tina,
Ax
Yes, there’s definitely something special about the area. I agree, a walk by the river, the shops, the houses… it’s magnificent.
Well, maybe you could put PN on your list. It’s a real MUST and you know it:-) and yes, start saving coz you will want every single thing!!
Thanks Anya xx
Ooh I used to have a dog toy with handle like the one’s shown. Not as old as they are though! 😉
Looks like a good place for a meander (well if plants are your thing). Certainly better than many run-of-the-mill garden centres. I’d peruse the home wares & decorative items while you & Igor peruse plants 🙂 Love the look of the liquid soaps and hard brushes.
Thanks for the tour Tina xx
Oh, Gerard, it’s not all about plants there. You can have delicious tea, coffee and cake and gorgeous food. I bet even you could find something in the shop, although it’s not quite your style…
Hahaha, just a tad better than your typical Garden Centre.
Yes, that would be so much fun.. but you know Magda came from the shop…
You are very welcome Gerard xx
What a lovely spot. The owner definitely has a flare for bringing the living plants with vintage. Gorgeous! M x
Thanks Mel. A fabulous spot, you would love it, I’m convinced. Glad you’ve recovered x
Oh my, what a place! It must be a true dream running a spot like this! I would safe some extra time next time I am in London and love to go with you there. What do you think? Deal? xx
Ha. It’s heaven on earth and I think a rather befitting place for us to first meet, wouldn’t you agree? Deal xx
An oasis indeed. Love those copper lids, and the lanterns are great.
Have you been? If you haven’t, get yourself down there… you’ll definitely be inspired.
Woah! What a place! I now this is a place for plants and garden goodies, but I’m totally smitten with the circus lights and the coppiced pendent lamps.
Great photos! Love the depth of field effect in the one with the Astier de Villatte tableware. Again the lights …. haha! Ok enough with the lights.
Thanks for taking us along Tina!
Xx.