London’s Loveliest Garden Centres
By
2 weeks ago
Plants are just as pretty in the city – and these are the top spots in London for green-thumbed gardeners
It might not be the city’s hottest new bar or pop-up, but the garden centre is – and always will be – one of our favourite downtime destinations. (After all, what sounds better than a day browsing pretty perennials and plants, followed by cream tea in a nearby café?) Craving your fix in the capital? From Boma to Battersea Flower Station, we bring you London’s very best garden centres.
The Best Garden Centres In London
Squires Garden Centres
An expert in all things horticulture, Squires Garden Centres have been serving the public since 1936. You’re never too far from a centre – they currently span Surrey, Sussex, Berkshire and Middlesex – and a proper browse in any of them will quickly reveal Squires’ unbeatable trifecta: good-quality plants, knowledgeable staff and buzzing café bars. It’s all too easy to get caught up in it all and spend the entire day here. But if it’s your first visit, then the Twickenham branch is a reliably well-stocked starting point.
Where: Sixth Cross Road, Twickenham, Middlesex, TW2 5PA
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Petersham Nurseries
A renowned name in the world of garden nurseries, Petersham sells an array of gorgeous florals, gifts and bespoke gardening utensils in a prepossessing setting. Located in a leafy corner of Richmond, the family-run business also encourages green-fingered enthusiasts to spend time relaxing in its store – preferably over tea and home-made scones. Throughout the year, the nursery also hosts a series of workshops open to the public, with sessions ranging from seasonal wreath-making and container design.
Where: Off Church Lane, Petersham Road, Richmond, London TW10 7AB
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Boma Garden Centre
Nestled within a quiet corner of Kentish Town, The Boma Garden Centre is a rustic North London sanctuary, possessing everything from houseplants and herbs, to roses and evergreen Christmas trees. The centre also offers a unique garden maintenance service, sending out expert horticulturists to help customers design and manage their gardens at home, from patio renovations to essential plant care.
Where: 51 – 53 Islip St, Kentish Town, NW5 2DL
Capital Gardens
With locations spanning Alexandra Palace, Wandsworth and Berkhamsted (just half an hour from London by train), the Capital Gardens team are experts in urban landscaping. Each nursery adds a splash of colour to its urban surroundings with plentiful florals and plants, where you’ll also find an array of garden essentials for when you’re ready to get down and dirty, from tools to treatments, wildlife care and compost.
Where: In and around London, find the full list of locations here
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Battersea Flower Station
If it’s house plants you’re after, this award-winning ‘flower station’ has got you covered. Explore the succulent shed and greenhouse, where you’ll find an array of spider plants, bonsais, and terracotta pots to take home. The centre also sells a wide range of outdoor plants and composts, while the resident florist creates a variety of beautiful bouquets, from bridal arrangements and button holes to floral letters and flower crowns, ideal for special occasions.
Where: 16 Winders Rd, Battersea, SW11 3HE
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Clifton Nurseries
Dating back as far as 1851, Little Venice’s Clifton Nurseries is the capital’s oldest garden centre and well worth a visit. You’ll find everything from elegant houseplants to coveted gifts for the avid gardener, as well as attractive foliage and flowers located within the nursery’s impressive glasshouse. You’re also likely to bump into the centre’s adorable caretaker cat, Mrs Miggins.
Where: 5A Clifton Villas, Little Venice, London W9 2PH
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The Palace Gardener
Boasting a brilliant West London location and a beautiful café serving up speciality coffee and brunch, Fulham’s The Palace Gardener is the ideal place to escape to when you need a little respite from the bustle of city life. The centre sells a range of plants, decorations, furniture and garden essentials, and hosts a range of floral-themed events, from flower arranging to terrarium workshops.
Where: Bishop’s Avenue, SW6 6EE
