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.
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.
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.
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.
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!”
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.
