Tucked away in the gorgeous garden oasis of Petersham Nurseries, sits Richmond’s most beautiful afternoon tea experience. Richmond itself is almost like a hidden oasis of London which mixes lots of green areas and nature with a quaint village by the river Thames. Served on a flower vase cake tray, these fresh and wonderful sweets and savouries reflect the garden ethos of its surroundings. If afternoon tea is not your thing I would still warmly recommend a visit to Petersham Nurseries for a look around the lovely shop or for a seasonal meal from fresh local produce in the restaurant. Let me tell you more about my garden escape and experience!
Afternoon Tea at Petersham Nurseries
I used to live just up the road from Petersham Nurseries on Richmond Hill, and yet this was my first ever visit here in spite of hearing so much about the restaurant. Unfortunately my visit coincided with a fairly rainy day. I had spent the morning exploring Kew Gardens, so by the time I made it to the gardens I was quite soaked through. But is there anything nicer when you are feeling drenched in fresh summer rain, than escaping into a garden to enjoy a warm cup of tea and fresh food? It almost felt like something straight out of Alice in Wonderland. Curiouser and curiouser.
If you have the time I highly recommend wandering around Richmond. If you are walking to or from your afternoon tea, you can enjoy a river-side walk along the Thames. On the way you can expect to see both cows and horses in the surrounding fields. It truly is a beautiful part of England. And the gorgeous Richmond Park is also nearby where you can see the famous deer and enjoy views of central London in the distance.
It is so lovely to wander around the site and admire the beautiful flowers. Visiting in June certainly showcased a lot of the flowers in full bloom. However I got unlucky with the persistent rain.
Additional details
- Cost: £65/pp
- Address: Church Lane, Off Petersham Rd, Richmond, TW10 7AB
- Nearest underground station: Richmond
- What’s included: Bread sticks, tea and tiered stand with savouries, sweets and scones with clotted cream and jam
- Favourite tea: Silver Needle
- Highlight: Blueberry Cremeux Choux
- Dress code: Not specified
- Who should book this afternoon tea?: This is a great experience (or gift) for anyone who likes a homely afternoon tea surrounded by plants and flowers.
Champagne is available for an additional cost.
♥ Read my big guide to all the best afternoon teas in London here!
Atmosphere
Although the rain and clouds did make my visit atmospherically dark and mysterious, it’s still very obvious how pretty the surroundings are. There is a big outdoor section where guests can purchase plants as well as both a café and restaurant in separate buildings. Even though the weather was not the best, it was still a fair few people around so I could imagine how bustling it would be on a nice summers day. It’s the perfect location to enjoy a glass of spritz in the summer, amongst all the plants.
Petersham Nurseries Afternoon Tea Menu
The afternoon tea menu for Petersham Nurseries was very well put together. Everything felt really fresh and matched the garden and seasonal theme which I always appreciate. My stand out dishes were the grilled chicken sandwich which just felt so fresh and was something a little different to the classic afternoon tea sandwiches. I also really loved the Blueberry cremeux choux – even though I’m not usually a choux pastry girlie – and also the apricot and frangipane cake which was so delicious. The scones were served separately after the cake stand and arrived in a cute little basket, served warm. Compared to somewhere like The Lanesborough, this afternoon tea feels more homely and comforting rather than made with splendour and show in mind.
Tea
I tried the Silver needle tea to start which I absolutely loved. It’s fairly subtle but so nice to sip and savour. For my second pot of tea I wanted something a bit more fruity and the red berry and hibiscus worked really well. I would imagine that could be a lovely one to enjoy served over ice when the weather is warmer as well. I am a big fan of afternoon tea menus where unlimited tea is available. Especially as I love trying a variety of them. Usually, I choose a classic tea like an Earl Grey with scones. But change it up with the sweets for something different.
On arrival
- Haye Farm Coppa Grissini
- Cheddar Bread Sticks
Sandwiches
- Grilled chicken, capers, dijon & creme fraiche
- Smoked trout & dill mayonnaise
- Cucumber and cream cheese
- Haye Farm organic egg mayonnaise & watercress
Sweets
- Cherry macaron, buttercream & cherry gel
- Blueberry cremeux choux
- Summer berries & custard tart
- Apricot & frangipane cake
- Chocolate pot & chocolate soil
- Fruit & plain scones with seasonal jam and clotted cream
What I loved about the afternoon tea
- The beautiful flower vase cake tray which everything was served on
- That scones were served separately to ensure they were warm
- How fresh both the savouries and sweets were
- The lovely and calm location
- The Silver Needle tea
- Seasonal and on theme flavours
What could be improved or changed
The weather. However that is of course not the responsibility of the team at Petersham Nurseries. Besides that, I really did not have much to note about the experience as I thought it was lovely.
Restaurant at Petersham Nurseries
The restaurant at Petersham Nurseries in Richmond focuses on local and seasonal ingredients and welcomes visitors from 12.00 Tuesday until Sunday. Booking is highly recommended as it can be very busy. Sometimes the restaurant is closed for events so it is advised to check in advance. Dinner service is available Thursday to Saturday. With the set menu you can choose from a selection of dishes for each course and also add an optional wine pairing. The wine list for the restaurant is curated by Petersham Cellar and focuses on Italian wines from across the country. Throughout the year there are also wine tastings, wine lunches and pasta making workshops on set dates. These events are ticketed and can be purchased on the website.
Petersham Nurseries also offer organic meat selection boxes from Haye Farm, who supply the restaurant, available for Click & Collect at the Richmond venue every Friday. A great way to explore local produce to cook at home.
I will definitely be back to try the restaurant at Peterhsam Nurseries on my next visit to Richmond and was quite sad not to have had the opportunity on my recent visit. However, there was no chance I would be able to enjoy both an afternoon tea and lunch in the same visit.
FAQ – Afternoon Tea at Petersham Nurseries
The afternoon tea is £65 per person or £70 per person with a glass of Millesimato Prosecco.
Yes, there is a café at Petersham Nurseries in Richmond which is separate to the restaurant and afternoon tea. It is called The Teahouse and accepts walk-ins so no booking is required here.
You must book in advance for the afternoon tea at Petersham Nurseries in Richmond.
The venue is dog-friendly. However you must let them know in advance if you are bringing a dog to a restaurant or afternoon tea booking.
Petersham Nurseries has set menus to cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten free and nut free dietary requirements.
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Meet Moa, our multi-talented writer from Sweden who now calls Edinburgh, Scotland home. With over a decade exploring Europe’s hidden corners—from Nordic landscapes to alpine villages—Moa brings a unique perspective shaped by her years as a travel guide in the Swiss and Austrian Alps. As a whisky book author and freelance drinks writer, she has an eye for exceptional food and beverage experiences, while her background as a photographer ensures she never misses a scenic moment. Whether she’s discovering old European cities or chasing golden hour in mountain villages, Moa’s stories blend cultural insight with a dash of adventure and plenty of authenticity.
