Today we’re taking you to South East London – the next area in our monthly guide to the best of the UK’s independent hotspots. Aside from three of our favourite florists, South East London boasts beautiful green spaces and eateries that will tantalise your taste buds alike. Stay tuned each month as we cover the best of London, and beyond.
The Fresh Flower Co, East Dulwich
With a simple guiding principle – to provide only the freshest of stems – The Fresh Flower Co’s no nonsense approach results in captivating arrangements that smell as sweet as they look. Based in East Dulwich, The Fresh Flower Co ensure they work with British Flower growers wherever possible to keep ‘flower miles’ down. Top tip: they stock a stellar edit of plants too.
![Floom The Fresh Flower Company Shop Owners Plants Hero](https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom_the_fresh_flower_company_shop_owners_plants_hero_180618_111526.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1440&s=050b4cb0c046a6f4564e3a1cc99e94c3 1440w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom_the_fresh_flower_company_shop_owners_plants_hero_180618_111526.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1000&s=4c6c34eef7a77a37665b94adc816c9e1 1000w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom_the_fresh_flower_company_shop_owners_plants_hero_180618_111526.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=600&s=95065ba156ad4454956e732f72aa21a1 600w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom_the_fresh_flower_company_shop_owners_plants_hero_180618_111526.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=400&s=864dd9fd5ff93a5794604f1640c407ba 400w)
Marcella, Deptford
If you consider yourself a bit of a connoisseur when it comes to Italian cuisine, we suggest a visit to Marcella – located on Deptford High Street – a restaurant celebrating the art of simplicity through its dishes, accompanied by a strictly Italian wine list (and rightly so). Expect pared back Italian classics made from the seasonal British and Italian produce. And when it comes to desert, look out for traditional dishes with a twist – like their Italian meringue, strawberries, lemon curd and amaretti dish.
![Marcella](https://floom.imgix.net/general/marcella.jpeg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1440&s=d5e90f9a6a9ca82a8c3e4d667edb47bd 1440w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/marcella.jpeg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1000&s=8e655d5e99325da56c7cf44a5abb9d96 1000w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/marcella.jpeg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=600&s=616490fc1d16f38289bd52e1cd438c36 600w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/marcella.jpeg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=400&s=3f545da641ed3322a5ae0c99dc7894d3 400w)
![Marcella Dishes 08](https://floom.imgix.net/general/Marcella_Dishes_08.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1440&s=604a626c2bd7455d97add9936733dd1a 1440w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/Marcella_Dishes_08.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1000&s=53e84ae17a966d81d6069a88abaa3e9d 1000w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/Marcella_Dishes_08.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=600&s=8d31e80eb6f93bc5824a9478bd1166f7 600w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/Marcella_Dishes_08.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=400&s=9407d099e4d56b8097c4bd73882c48cb 400w)
English Flowerhouse, Deptford Market
Whatever their chosen medium, be it flowers, foliage or plants, the team of creatives behind English Flowerhouse are passionate about crafting bouquets that make their customers smile. Based in Deptford Market, its founding owner Bernadette decided to leave a career in law to follow her creative instinct and love of all things horticultural. Traditional floristry and horticulture are at the heart of the business, but the team tell us they work best in a wild and whimsical way that mirrors the movements of nature.
![The English Flowerhouse Hr 2264](https://floom.imgix.net/general/the-english-flowerhouse-HR-2264.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1440&s=f3b0aa5a38ec511dadd93b54d274fa25 1440w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/the-english-flowerhouse-HR-2264.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1000&s=a20fa87a659a1c4712910fb450d03e9e 1000w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/the-english-flowerhouse-HR-2264.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=600&s=0639413485af47d934a0afdfcd757a97 600w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/the-english-flowerhouse-HR-2264.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=400&s=6d4495d2f831da9a30253bbb54c83e75 400w)
Blue Brick Cafe, East Dulwich
If you’re into your breakfast (who isn’t?) head to Blue Brick Cafe in East Dulwich to start the day right. We’re into their veggie breakfast served with homemade baked beans, thick home cooked hash brown patties, but they’re open for lunch and dinner too, serving generous portions of flavoursome curries and hearty stews. And the best bit… it’s £2.50 corkage to bring your own booze.
![Bluebrickcafe Exterior02 1250](https://floom.imgix.net/general/Bluebrickcafe_exterior02_1250.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1440&s=6a27cbec9b84b3f2522cdf5a24e63696 1440w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/Bluebrickcafe_exterior02_1250.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1000&s=d6accff6189691a3173859afef2080e7 1000w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/Bluebrickcafe_exterior02_1250.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=600&s=e44d01ad6baac0814b8df459d4efe053 600w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/Bluebrickcafe_exterior02_1250.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=400&s=430f2149f8ba3cb2bb17e79926541c4e 400w)
![Bluebrickcafe Interior Deco 1250](https://floom.imgix.net/general/Bluebrickcafe_interior_deco_1250.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1440&s=ce62cff18eaea330ce29866d20fa40fe 1440w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/Bluebrickcafe_interior_deco_1250.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1000&s=61b4f1b66cbdb465252b157b431d3b55 1000w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/Bluebrickcafe_interior_deco_1250.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=600&s=bdbd328deb8471b4bf94d33915b297dc 600w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/Bluebrickcafe_interior_deco_1250.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=400&s=7c83e75f14aa0ded0d5bad86f1d68465 400w)
Bloomologie, Blackheath
In Bloomologie’s founder Ali Bilenness’ eyes, “flowers are like people. Some are delicate and fragile, some are frothy and bright, others are bold and beautiful… put them together and you create something amazing”. The studio itself is as you’d expect – blooming to the brim with both traditional and exotic seasonal stems. In fact, Bloomologie’s commitment to seasonality is second to none. In Ali’s words, the aforementioned bouquets are “wild wondrous and playful – a bit like us!”
![Floom Bloomologie 1](https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom_bloomologie_1.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1440&s=c27bb8200e715c0e31e2248cc37531a9 1440w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom_bloomologie_1.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1000&s=c55eb2cad66e909ea5cc8a7617172352 1000w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom_bloomologie_1.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=600&s=071bb8a48419a17c3fecb7859be5b4b3 600w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/floom_bloomologie_1.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=400&s=ed4bba902d724c35b5f5853b0a75a13f 400w)
The Royal Observatory, Greenwich
Situated on a hill in Greenwich Park – overlooking the River Thames – The Royal Observatory was commissioned in 1975 by King Charles II and has since played a major role in astronomical history. But it’s best known as the prime meridian – the reason for which we exist in Greenwich Mean time. Aside from being a beautiful building – that’s steeped in history – it’s also surrounded by a vast green space, perfect for a Saturday afternoon when you want to escape the city.
![Royal Observatory](https://floom.imgix.net/general/royal-observatory.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1440&s=41929b81f4d674ed130cd00b9b60db69 1440w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/royal-observatory.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1000&s=5af25686b3ab2c5bf47da339f0a12269 1000w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/royal-observatory.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=600&s=100374c86b45bc1370223744043374f8 600w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/royal-observatory.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=400&s=ee79cbd621fa4fdce556a52e5eb3b85f 400w)
![Royal Observatory2](https://floom.imgix.net/general/royal-observatory2.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1440&s=9702faf5089340995b2a7d20349574f2 1440w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/royal-observatory2.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=1000&s=497c279f41560bc70729b0885f1b1ed4 1000w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/royal-observatory2.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=600&s=d39ad118d05da23ef407f2130e1ddd95 600w, https://floom.imgix.net/general/royal-observatory2.jpg?auto=format&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fm=pjpg&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&ixlib=php-1.1.0&q=65&w=400&s=e32bf6fe1d6f5053ee7349fa7efca547 400w)