My oh my, such a disappointment. We booked afternoon tea, months in advance, as is necessary…read more Here's what we learned. This is what could reasonably termed an "experience", but it fails on every point. Service is lackadaisical( difficult to see how they justify the service charge). The food looks pretty, but isn't very special in terms of taste or presentation ( probably not helped by the fact it has to be carried in from a separate building), and was served on a ridiculous cake stand/vase that effectively conceals your dining companion. Crockery is cheap looking and charmless. The price difference between the plain tea and the version with a single glass of Cremant ( served, disappointingly, in a warm glass) is £15 ( 45 versus 60). It's easy to buy an entire bottle for that, at retail prices. God help you if it rains ( you'll be dripped on- the greenhouse is not weatherproof). Don't bother, especially if you're paying.

The Nurseries is one of those gems that you don't want to share with everyone ;))) It's only open…read morein the sunny days of the year and it's because it's hidden in the old glass house of the Nurseries garden center. Old & disparate furniture is scattered around, directly on the nude earth floor and in between large pots of green & colorful plants. Beautiful flowers are set on each table. It's like a picturesque scene of Alice in Wonderland. You feel like a little kid entering a magical wild world, where birds talk and nature is alive. It's all very comfortable and cute. And on a sunny warm day, it's the ideal getaway for lunch. The menu is small but fresh and seasonal. Vegetables seem to be at the center of many dishes. And fish was quite predominant when I was there. Everything sounds delicious and it definitively is! They well deserve their 1-star michelin. I had the squid to start with and it was super nice!!! I'm usually not a big fan but the squid was very well cooked (quite soft), on a yummy piece of bread and in a very tasty sauce. Then I had the halibut. The fish was cooked to perfection, very moist and the mayonnaise was mouthwatering :P For desserts, we shared the rice pudding and the chocolate tart. To die for. Both of them. Point. The staff is friendly and fast. So all good there. If you want to spoil your better half, this is the perfect summer romantic spot. The gardens are a nice little after-lunch discovery too. And if you feel really chilled out, you can sit next to the fountain and profit from the sun rays. Or just roll out into the fields around and have a lazy rest in the green grass of Richmond park.

Squires are a very popular garden centre, which is busy all year round…read more The high number of visitors means most of the stock is very fresh and not root bound. This makes a big difference as the quality is so much better and there plants tend to get off to a much better start once planted in the garden. They also have properly trained staff on hand to give plant advise - which probably accounts for why they are so popular. The downside is it's not the cheapest of garden centres - some of the bedding plants are almost double what you would pay in a DIY centre. Also the range of shrubs is a bit limited. If it was a restaurant it would have 3 Michelin stars - worth a long journey just to visit.

There are other Squires outlets, but for me the Twickenham branch, is a haven. When I was working…read moreon a project , there were three places I would go to check on their stock, and this was my first preference, though I would always save it as the last visit. Many garden centres have gone downhill and don't really take pride in their establishment , or worse are not knowledgeable on what they are selling. The plants they sell look as if they have met the patched and over frazzled soft shell crab from my other review. Not so here, and it is no surprise that this particular place has won various awards for its design layout. This for me is important since they have created an atmosphere that for me just leaves you to feel content and think freely. Yes there is the usual eating section which I never go to and pets corner , though I did find a use for bundles of straw and bugs bunny had long since taken a vacation. There is a good selection of gardening implements, fertilisers and growers, I am sure Percy Thrower would have been in his element. Once you have managed to pass the piles of soil , only you don't because there are so many different kinds , your uncertain which one to choose and then you notice.....oooh 3 for the price of 2 ...where's the trolly out of my way and you ignore the caution not to lift heavy objects on your own because you just want that bargain..and then oh dear you are already over loaded and you have not yet got to the plant section...and then you wield and guide and grunt and push....no don't worry this is still the same review...and you gaze in amazement at the symphony of colour. I need more time.. So back you go with the soil and you return at a later date...20 mins later you just dashed at ..the pace of a snail ;) For me the time to visit this branch is early Spring , March, for they have a collection of Rhododendrons ,Camellias , Magnolias, Azaleas and Acers that is second to none. I can't say if they will this year but last year they went that little bit extra and created a Japanese theme to complement it, It was then easy to get engrossed or yes I confess drool at a particular plant, and then imagining where I was going to plant it and how it would blend in with the rest of the garden, ..I would often get carried away and wonder what it would be like once it had fully matured. However, there will be no admissions of talking to plants or passing complements of beauty on its fauna. In the excitement of finding the right specimen and having giving it a thorough examination i might frequently get drawn to another...no honestly my feelings for you have not wained ..let me introduce you to...well okay it passes the time. I should point out that they don't just do Japanese plants, that is my particular choice, they have a wide variety and it is a large outlet. There are also two areas where you can obtain information. ..and when you completed your purchase they will if need be load your car up. It has been a while but I feel a visit to this place coming on.

Get anything!!read more

I can really recommend this place if you are in the market for designer furniture. Neil the guy…read morethat owns this place has an excellent eye and finds some really good pieces. He always knows what is new and if you are after an investment piece of designer furniture he will give you really sound advice. It is not cheap, this isn't your Ikea quality stuff but if you have more of a Habitat or Heals budget he will be able to sort you out. They also have some great rugs, leather sofas and fab knick nacks and table wear etc. A good service and the best price for that level of kit - especially if you are after more than one piece.

We had been planning on buying an Arne Jacobsen Egg chair for some years and Couch Potato company…read moredid us a great deal. We purchased the chair without going to the store and they were very helpful/patient in helping us select the right version for our room. The chair arrived as as scheduled in perfect state - we are really pleased with it and it makes great addition to our lounge.

For the last minute Christmas shopper (ahem, looks at self in the mirror), Muji is a great fun…read moreplace to pick up some cheap but yet fun items. I love the little blocks that reflect famous city skylines, the T-shirt in a cube and their travel accessories - they sell empty small bottles for things like your shampoo so you don't have to carry all those big bottles. If you're as organised as I've been this year, head to Muji!

The staff are nice and the furniture looks lovely when new - but it's very expensive and terribly…read moreeasily damaged. We are a very careful childless, dogless couple and still suffered damage to our £2000+ table which the guarantee regards as "just wear and tear." Terribly disappointed.

I was looking for a small palm tree and couldn't find any at the local garden centre. Heard about…read morethis place on the radio and searched for it on the internet. If you are in the market for a palm for your garden, roof deck or balcony then the Palm Centre is the answer. It's in a beautifil location on the outskirts of Richmond, slightly tricky to find and has a huge stock of palms ranging from small plants to larger specimens. They also have outdoor ferns, citrus plants, olive, bay trees and many other specimen plants to enhance your pad and create that feeling that you live in a tropical place, when really you don't. The staff were really friendly and very helpful in helping us select the right variety and wrapped it up tightly in plastic film for easier transportation. We bought a few items and the prices were very reasonable and the quality of the plants is high. Now my neighbours are asking where I bought the palm tree from! This is it.

This is predominately a trade place but also open to the public. I often go there if i am seeking…read moreinspiration. As the name suggests they specialise in Palms, ranging from tiny baby plants which you can lovingly nurture, and think In a few years given the right climate you will grow to be that size....or maybe not ;) Or if you are lacking the patience and wish to make an immediate impact in your garden then there are colossal size plants. It is easy to get attached and over awed by their beauty and stature that you kind of forget the logistics of how you might possibly manoeuvre such a fine specimen, a crane or forklift truck perhaps. There is also a section for Bamboo plants which is one of my favourite places to stroll down, first eyeing the traditional Golden Bamboo but then been lured by the gleaming and seductive Black Bamboo with its wonderful architectural form. This is one plant where if you start with a nipper, it will grow and grow....until you have a pantomime cast on your doorstep requesting to rehearse there. It is a strong and exceptionally hardy plant and if your not careful will take over the garden in no time, which can be great if that is the desired effect, personally I prefer to contain their growth and show it whose boss...they still flourish. Then there are the banana plants or Musa Basjoo very hardy and can quite happily flourish in our climate out doors. If planted correctly it will produce many babies which you can then transplant else where. I have successfully grown them to over 20ft , but I would add they do need shelter from the wind. I obviously am not going to list the Palm Centres entire stock list, besides I don't know it. They do though have a web-site where you can browse. If Palms or tropical plants do not stir your passion and your searching for something nearer to home. Then they have a wonderful selection of Olive trees, and as you look at these old trees you wonder what things they will have witnessed. Again it hard not to be taken by the larger plants and you might say to your partner, remember that holiday in sunny ..... you will both sigh, or one might mumble begrudgingly ...but in the end you decide to find a home for this magnificent tree. I have not given the Palm centre 5stars for two reasons, the first you have to pay for delivery, does not matter how much you spend..and secondly they will only deliver to the front gate...after that its your responsibility....there are ways round it..but that does urk me a tad. However, I do still rate the place and if you are wanting something different , or your just about to create your garden then its worth going. I should point out its not cheap..especially if your going for large plants. However its what i call a good investment and it can bring endless pleasure.