you think you have seen some of the most beautiful lands. you think you have traveled and trekked and wandered and adventured. you have seen thousands of photographs and paged through millions of glossy magazine pages and perused countless coffee table books.
your own aesthetic is the envy of all your friends, and enemies. you are a DIYer with a nose for the best deals. you arrange still lifes all over your house and every season you rearrange them like altars to new gods.
But you might never see a more beautiful stretch of acreage until you step foot in Petersham Nurseries. It is a food stylist's dream. And a museum curator's fantasy. Whether you snack and sip at the cafe or sit down for a precious meal at the restaurant, you are in for exquisite beauty like few other interiors, which are also exteriors, can compare to.
Sitting, walking, gaping, oohing and ahhing at Petersham Nurseries is a day well spent. And you can get to it from London's underground! The District Line takes you to Richmond station and then it's a lovely walk down a canal...
Find my photos here.
Heidi's remake of Petersham Nurseries chef Skye Gyngell's Cauliflower Soup with Gorgonzola.
The Passionate Cook writes about an amazing meal in the restaurant.
Keiko at Nordljus, (my partner in crime for our most amazing lunch & day trip), introduced me to this beguiling place in March 2007, by way of her own photographs.
If you find yourself in London, Petersham Nurseries should be at the top of your must see and eat places. Especially in the warmer months...
Aaagh! It was the one place I didnt make it to this time, especially annoying since my grandma lives right there and it would make a lovely trip. Oh well, I'll just have to wait until next time.
Posted by: Jennywenny | 30 October 2008 at 01:32 PM
Shuna, I just really want to thank you today for sharing such lovely things on this blog. The slideshow from this post... I don't know, the way you captured color and light... =)
Very beautiful -- I couldn't help but smile the whole way through. I wish you would consider making a book of your photography. Really.
Posted by: devon | 30 October 2008 at 03:56 PM
I love that-- "altars to new gods." I do that too, endlessly playing with objects in my abode, but I also struggle with my obsession with aesthetics, always the little worm of guilt wriggling in the background--This is superficial, it whispers in its evil little worm voice. But you've killed the worm for me today, Thank you!
Posted by: Melinda | 30 October 2008 at 05:50 PM
Aww I'd forgotten about Petersham....we lived in Surrey for 5 years. I miss the gardens.
Posted by: Chris | 30 October 2008 at 06:38 PM
i don't have words for this. unreal. beautiful.
Posted by: Aran | 30 October 2008 at 06:57 PM
I went to Petersham for my birthday lunch this year and it was amazing, the tastes are so clean and the setting so beautiful. I really want to go back but for a full meal it is a definite special occasion treat.
Posted by: Gemma | 31 October 2008 at 02:35 PM
how eerie... I just bookmarked this spot in my newest london food book; so easy to get to from Chiswick, where we'll be staying part of the time we're there. :)
As eery as me having a dream about you two getting out of a black cab near my flat? see you soon... ~ Shuna
Posted by: Anita / Married ...with Dinner | 01 November 2008 at 03:59 AM
I was there about two weeks ago and had a great time. I blogged about it here and here. Although it was cool and rainy, we had a brilliant time!
Posted by: pigtown*design | 05 November 2008 at 01:50 PM