Places of floral inspiration.
Mountsfield Park
Early Spring is one of the loveliest times of year, with longer days, new flowers to spot every day and a hopeful feeling in the air.
There is so much joy and inspiration to be found in nature, and we have some amazing spots to visit right here in South East London and close by. Here are some of my favourites…
Immerse yourself in nature
Mountsfield Park, Catford
More than just a local park, our lovely Mountsfield is a treasure trove of natural beauty. I love the community garden, with its apple trees and meadow of wild achillea in summer. With a new cafe on its way, as well as the wonderful sounding ‘Kindness Orchard’, how lucky we are to have this place on our doorstep!
Beckenham Place Park, Beckenham
Whilst it may not be the hidden gem it once was, beloved BPP is just as charming post-makeover. Full of green space, meadows and woodland, it’s a beautiful place to explore, and there’s plenty of floral inspiration to be taken from the new ornamental gardens.
Emmet’s Garden, Sevenoaks
A little further afield, this National Trust garden is well worth a visit. We always go in April to see the incredible blanket of bluebells in the woodland and the beautifully planted spring bulbs, but I have no doubt it is stunning in every season. It’s got a great wooden play area for kids too!
Plan your flower patch
Abbotshall Road Healthy Living Centre, Catford
Another special place we are privileged to have access to, this green space on the Corbett estate has a perfectly planted community garden running its length. In summer I love walking through it with my toddler, who is totally transfixed by the flowerey jungle towering over him.
Eltham Palace, Eltham
This English Heritage medieval mansion has an interesting art deco interior, but it's the grounds that have captured my heart. With a beautiful rock garden, sweeping moat and all sorts of outdoor nooks and crannies to explore, it’s a great place to pick up some seasonal flower inspiration.
Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Sissinghurst
If I had to choose just one flowerey space to visit for the rest of my life, it would without hesitation be Sissinghurst Castle Garden. Originally designed by the fascinating Vita Sackville-West, this is flower heaven, full of romantic and quintessentially English planting. Just over an hour from London, I could not recommend this National Trust property more. If you love flowers, you will leave full of inspiration and floral dreams.
Pick up a plant
Three Sisters, Hither Green
I love this shop on Springbank Road in Hither Green, which is full of gorgeous gifts for the nature lover in your life - which, let’s face it, may well be yourself! From cute seed collections, to garden tools, to bunches of dried flowers, they have a gorgeous range, but my favourite thing is the little yard at the back of the shop. Crammed full of beautiful and well-priced flowers and bulbs, as well as some lovely permanent planting, it's an urban haven of botanical inspiration.
Alexandra Nurseries, Penge
One of my favourite places to visit when we lived in Sydenham, Alexandra Nurseries is a haven of plants (for both garden and house), trinkets and curiosities. Their gift shop is wonderful, the cafe does delicious cake, and in pre-Covid times they held pop ups from beer and burgers to kids music groups. Definitely not your average garden centre!
Catford locals Annie and Gemma run their amazing plant markets in various places around the capital, showcasing the range of independent botanical businesses we have here in London and beyond. They’ll be at Old Spitalfields Market on 11th and 12th June.
Have I missed your favourite flowerey place? Let me know on Instagram @floralkind!