Petersham Nurseries

Petersham Nursery is a little oasis of calm, residing just off the Thames tow-path near Richmond.  For many years it was the home of Australian chef Skye Gyngell, whose mediterranean food won the restaurant there a Michelin star in 2011.  The nursery itself is a curious mix of plant and plate, vintage furniture and quirky terracotta pots, but there is an overwhelming feeling of love about the place; the plants look happy and the tearoom is always pretty busy, although I have to say that I've never seen anyone buy any of the furniture, beautiful tho' it is; maybe that's because it's astronomically expensive! 

{happy plants}

{gorgeous old glasshouses}

{beautiful vintage furniture, crockery, pedastals}

{huge old mirrors and Venetian glass candlesticks}

{succulents - at a price!}

Despite the prices, a wander round Petersham is a restorative experience.  It's a peek into a lifestyle that I'd like to emulate; it's genteel and cultured.  Once you've pottered around the nursery, you can then take a lovely walk across Petersham Meadows, which have now been donated to the National Trust, into Richmond itself, and then loop back on yourself along the river path to Ham House.