Petersham's Nursery in Richmond and the Kew Gardens.

Back in 1999, I visited the Kew Gardens, but Kevin a plant lover, had never been so we definitely wanted to take a daytrip out there (it's quite a distance from the center of London).  I then discovered a unique restaurant one stop down in Richmond--a city I had never seen--and figured we would have the perfect daytrip.

Anne in front of the giant lillies, Water Lily House, Kew Gardens

Kew Gardens:  We arrived as soon as it opened since we had lunch reservations in Richmond.  It's a good 45-minute subway ride from central London. Kew Gardens is quite close to the Tube station--you stroll a few blocks, past a quaint shopping square and a row of residential homes and arrive at the Victorian gate.  Kew Gardens is a mishmash of botanist laboratories, historic conservatories, themed gardens and--of course-- a palace.  If you like plants, it's a must-see sort of destination.  There are several Victorian-era green houses filled with exotic and rare plants.  The oldest potted plant in the world is at the Kew--dating from the 1600s.  The day was cool and the DINKs enjoyed going visiting the very humid Palm House as it reminded them of their climate at home in DC!  The Kew Gardens is a perfect place to explore a bit then lounge about and have a picnic lunch, but we had plans for the meal and scooted  back to the Tube.



Richmond:  This city located along the Thames, is a posh London suburb filled with parks, a quaint downtown, and the famous Richmond palace, built by Henry the VII.  I wish we could have lingered a bit in the shops, but we had to make our way outside of Richmond to the little cafe and garden center known as Petersham's Nursery.



Kevin @ Petersham's Nursery for our shabby chic, gourmet lunch.



Petersham's Nursery:  I had first read about this restaurant in a food review.  Dubbed the "Chez Panisse" of the UK, Petersham's Nursery, prides itself on using local incredients, but the really charming thing about the places is location--an operating gaden center!  The floor is packed dirt and the staff walk around in wellies.  Other than the very slow service (seriously, they may have been growing some of the vegetables while we waited), I loved this experience.  The environment was just lovely.  The food was incredible:  warm chick pea, swiss chard and ricotta salad, braised endive, perfectly seared trout.  Yes, it may have been the most expensive lunch I have ever had, but for me, an experience like that is why I live and why I travel. 

Kevin on the scenic, quaint, oh-so-British footpath to Petersham's Nursery.

One of the best parts of Petersham's is walking from the Richmond Tube Station.  It's not close--almost a 25 minute walk.  We walked through the city center to reach the cafe, but on the way back, we chose to walk along a towpath by the Thames.  We passed meadows and old estates, lovely parks and cafes.  Richmond is worth a daytrip and if you are a foodie and like to splurge, so is Petersham's Nursery.

Returning to Richmond after lunch by way of the towpath along the Thames River.