Petersham Nurseries – A tranquil haven on the banks of the river Thames

Along the banks of the river Thames in southwest London lies a hidden garden oasis that feels as though it’s been lifted straight from the pages of an English fairy tale. Nestled amongst some of Richmond’s most beautiful historic houses Petersham Nurseries is a breath of fresh air in one of the world’s most bustling cities.

The iconic plant nursery, originally carved out of the grounds of Petersham House in the 1970’s, was transformed by Gael and Francesco Boglione when they purchased the property in 1997. When the nursery reopened in 2004 the Boglione family had created a magical space which showcased their combined appreciation for the natural world and a desire to design an environment which realised their love of exceptional service and thoughtful products. Since its inception, Petersham Nurseries has evolved from a humble local nursery into a tranquil haven comprising of a restaurant and teahouse, as well as a light filled shop overflowing with locally and internationally sourced antiques and artisan homewares.

You may access Petersham Nurseries from the river side entrance and make your way across the bucolic grass field, home to grazing cows and scattered with tiny daisies (or squelchy mud depending on the time of year and weather – this is the UK remember!). Or perhaps, enter from the roadside after a slow meander through the expanse of Richmond Park with its majestic herd of royal deer and rural-esque setting. Whichever path you take the reward will be a visual treat in one of the most unique and picturesque settings in London.

I have visited the original Richmond location many times since I moved to London, and it always remains an enjoyable and thrilling experience. Like a kid in a candy store I become instantly overwhelmed by the heady aromas of freshly baked scones and the ethereal beauty terracotta pots with their perfect patina and warm apricot hue. A friend once deemed me to be visually greedy, and as my eye darts from one exquisite object to the next, I am all too aware that my bestowed title is well earned. I find it extremely difficult to focus and transform into an antiques dealer at a flea market who is afraid to miss out on the all the good stuff – what if there’s something else to covet at the next stall! The only possible tonic for a visually greedy personality is to take a moment to quiet one’s mind. This can be easily achieved with a pit stop to the café or teahouse for a mouth-watering homemade carrot cake and a cup of English Breakfast tea.

A hearty dose of sugar and a little respite amongst the verdant surrounds gives me all the energy I need to venture forth for a delightful jaunt around the adjacent shop. Less a gift shop and more a treasure trove, the room is laden with whimsical ceramics and is chock full of European antique furniture and homewares – the space positively heaves with old world charm. Jewel toned Murano glass sourced from Italy sits atop distressed wooden tabletops adorned with brightly coloured pillar candles and sweet posies of delicate English flowers.

But it isn’t just the wares (as magnificent as they are) that command attention here; the setting itself is quite unique. As you meander slowly – eyes darting from one gorgeous thing to the next – you’ll be forgiven for not immediately noticing the floor of rich red earth below your feet. Although you are exploring a shop within a greenhouse, you can’t help but feel a tad surprised to find yourself walking on a carpet of, well, dirt. This is after all a nursery first and foremost. The team behind Petersham Nurseries have managed to create the most extraordinary atmosphere amongst the well-trodden nursery grounds, somehow making the seemingly ordinary quite extraordinary.

At the heart of Petersham Nurseries is a business with its feet proudly rooted in the family’s legacy. With the focus on helping to forge a better future of sustainable produce and environmental responsibility within the service industry. Recognised for their achievements throughout the challenges of 2021, Petersham Nurseries were commended for ‘best business for environmental sustainability’. This achievement was a nod to the team’s ethos of responsible sourcing, organic gardening, and waste management, having received a special newly created Green Michelin Star in January. In existence for almost twenty years, Petersham is now under the direction of eldest daughter Lara who has guided the business into its current incarnation. This new direction includes a newly opened Petersham Wine Cellar which stocks fine Italian wines and also extends to a sister location in Covent Garden in the heart of London. The Covent Garden restaurant and shop echoes the splendour of the original setting within the unique historical surroundings and bustling location of inner-city London. Theatrical cascading flower arrangements in huge antique urns create a dramatic effect against the vibrant restaurant setting that transports diners into the magical world of the Boglione family.

Whether you are an avid gardener, or you enjoy eating delicious food served within a welcoming setting, or you simply have an appreciation for beautiful things, there will always be something wonderful to marvel at during your visit to Petersham Nurseries.

I hope you enjoyed our little jaunt around Petersham Nurseries! Please leave a comment below, I’d love to hear from you.

How to get there

From central London you can catch a train from Waterloo or Victoria Station to Richmond Station and then catch a bus to The Dysart stop and take a short stroll to the nursery.

For more information about Petersham Nurseries you can visit their website here

For more information about the Petersham Nurseries book visit their webshop here

This post is not affiliated with Petersham Nurseries in any way, it’s simply one of the many reasons I love living in London!