Penge surprise: Alexandra Nurseries
Your roving reporter took a purposeful trip to Penge two days ago to visit the independent eco garden centre Alexandra Nurseries. I have aspirations of turning my front garden into a mini meadow.
The independent shop is run by two landscape gardeners, John and Sarah, who live in the adjoining house. Both buildings are part of Alexandra Cottages, an estate of 181 workers cottages built in the 1860’s. The garden centre is housed in the former caretaker’s office.
The first time I visited, John talked at length about the kind of grasses to buy for a Piet Oudolf-inspired garden – just the thing for my mini meadow. The centre is full of nice display ideas for plants too, plus unusual objects for indoors and outdoors.
There’s also a cute cafe and homewares shop inside selling lots of vintage bits.
So, now that we’re talking about gardens, is it officially spring? Cos I’m still freezing.
Jill
I just discovered it last month after someone told me about it. Lovely place and they do great coffee, highly recommend a visit to one and all
What?! This must be within 10 minutes walk of my flat and I’ve never heard of it! It looks lovely so will definitely pop down this weekend and have a look (the sun is supposed to be shining). Good find Jill!
Yes, this place is lovely! I’ve done a post about it myself a few weeks ago. It’s great that something this nice opened up in Penge, otherwise there is nothing. They make delicious soup and cake too. How did you find out about it? Are you local too?
Hi, yes quite local – E Dulwich – and forever roving around South London in search of good gardening shops as soon as it hits Spring. I am going back for the cake soon, you’re the second person to mention them…
There are a lot of nice things there! I’m glad the weather is improving, spring clean is important!:)
Hello to all of you and especially the originator of the very lovely feature about us on this blog. Really great to have such kind and positive feature/comments – it’s this kind of thing that makes it all worthwhile and keeps us keeping on. All the best Sarah and John at Alexandra Nurseries
Hi Sarah & John, thanks for leaving your message, the shop is great and very worthy of blogging about. No doubt be back there soon to sample the cakes…
I wish I had seen this post earlier! I just got back from a fortnight in London and we were near Shortlands. Penge was so close!