Hidden inside Richmond park, Isabella Plantation is a botanical treasure that nature enthusiasts and photographers alike will fall in love with. Home to a stunning variety of flora, including magnolias, rhododendrons, camellias, and a spectacular collection of azaleas, this 40-acre garden was established in the 1830s, yet it only opened to the public in 1953.
With its winding paths, secret nooks and meandering streams weaving beneath a canopy of towering trees, this woodland retreat feels like something out of a fairytale. And the magic does not end there…The still pond, surrounded by fiery pink azaleas cascading over its glassy surface and reflected into the water, is particularly breathtaking. Isabella Plantation is well worth a visit year-round, yet truly comes alive during the flowering season, when its dazzling display of azaleas burst into bloom, transforming the landscape into a painter’s palette of pinks, purples, and reds.
Despite its growing popularity, it retains a sense of serenity and is a stunning spot for a sunny day out. Grab a picnic and your camera and prepare to be mesmerized by the kaleidoscope of colours in one of London’s most enchanting botanical gardens.
Opening hours change depending on the season, but as with most London parks, access is generally from dawn to dusk.
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Loafing Cafe is a combination of bakery, with excellent sourdough, a cafe and creperie with a garden. Enjoy the comfortable seating and the warmth of the team!
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Anyone you take here (including yourself) will love you for it. Spring is a rare thing in London: grand, but calm, luxurious but simple, fancy but very friendly.
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Bard is a bookshop & cafe with an amazing selection of books, addictive coffee and pastry. Don't miss the calendar of readings, events, book clubs, and quizzes.
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In the heart of Southeast London sits "Eltham Palace and Gardens". Once a medieval estate, in the '30s it was styled with mesmerizing art deco furnishings.
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It's always been magical to press the discreet buzzer and walk into the quiet brick-walled garden of Rochelle Canteen, leaving gritty East London behind.
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In an area full of chains, visit the family-run Crown Café. I'm a big fan of their sandwiches & their pastel de nata and they make a great cup of tea.
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They have an array of all the classic pastries you’d expect from a French bakery, from pain au chocolat & croissants to my favourite croissant aux amandes.
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Their Reading room is a mix between a gallery and a library with books and lots of places to sit and read or do some work on your laptop.
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The Barbary pays homage to the culinary traditions of the countries from the Atlantic Coast through to the Mediterranean Sea leading to the Middle East.
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The Nickel Cinema is a 37-seat gem that revives NYC grindhouse spirit with little-known films and a vintage-filled bar. Unmissable for true film lovers!
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A beloved East London classic, E Pellici offers hearty Italian–English food, strong coffee, and warm family-run charm to a lively mix of locals and visitors.
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289 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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