10 of the Chicest Garden Rooms
Bear with us – we know it’s still freezing outside, but by ‘garden rooms’ we mean heated, indoor and with no risk of being pooed on, pecked at or rained on. You may be surprised at how many orangeries/atriums/greenhouses London boasts, or even more so at all the different names used to describe them, but you won’t be surprised by the relaxed feel these charming rooms possess. From the shabby chic to the downright romantic (and everything in between) here are 10 of the best London has to offer.
Bourne & Hollingsworth
Inspired by a derelect country house
Kicking things off has to be Bourne & Hollingsworth’s greenhouse room, and in fact the whole back section of their restaurant, which houses wrought iron furniture and chairs upholstered in the chicest palm print fabric. Nab a table in the greenhouse for weekend brunch when you’ll be able to bask in the sunlight, feeling a million miles away from Clerkenwell.
Where: 42 Northampton Road, Clerkenwell, EC1R 0HU
Website: http://bandhbuildings.com
Petersham Nurseries
Edible flowers in an actual greenhouse
The most authentic of all the garden rooms, Petersham Nurseries’ glasshouse restaurant (they call it a cafe) is complete with dirt floor and leaky greenhouse roof. Head Chef, Damian Clisby has previously worked at HIX Soho at Cotswold House so knows a thing or two about fine dining in shabby chic surroundings and incorporates homegrown produce in the ever-changing menus.
Where: Church Lane, Off Petersham Road, Richmond, TW10 7AB
Website: http://petershamnurseries.com
Megan’s
Fairy lit courtyard with cute gingham tablecloths
Megan’s isn’t just a cafe with outdoor seating, it is a cafe with outdoor seating and HEAPS of fairy lights. Both the King’s Road and St John’s Wood branches (excuse the pun) have a botanical touch; King’s Road has a covered courtyard and St John’s Wood an indoor Orchid Room filled with cherry blossom and fairy lights to make your hangover a little more magical.
Where: King’s Road and St John’s Wood
Website: http://megans.co.uk
Powder Keg Diplomacy
Victoriana greenhouse
A nighttime garden, Powder Keg Diplomacy is Battersea’s take on a Victorian conservatory, with a generous dose of quirkiness. The fireplace keeps things cosy and sofas make it a great spot for date night. Creative cocktails, punches, British beer and old world wines make up the drinks menu in the Rifle Club Bar and the Observatory Dining Room serves brunch, lunch, dinner and Sunday roast.
Where: 147 St Johns Hill, Battersea, SW11 1TQ
Website: http://www.powderkegdiplomacy.co.uk
Clos Maggiore
Romantic blossom filled dining room
The most romantic restaurant in London received such a title due to it’s coveted garden room. The tables are close enough to be snug but not so much that you can hear other couple’s sweet nothings so that may play a part but the blossom that dominates the ceiling is what does it for us. It’s smarter than some of the others on this list so head for a special occasion, and book early because, unsurprisingly, the room is in high demand.
Where: 33 King Street, Covent Garden, WC2E 8JD
Website: http://www.closmaggiore.com
Blixen
Colonial-inspired indoor pergolas
I first stumbled upon Blixen one weekend afternoon, after a morning spent at Columbia Road flower market. Plants seemed (subconsciously) to be the order of the day; the indoor pergola (reminiscent of somewhere colonial) and covered outdoor plant-filled space serves food all-day – just as well because once you’re seated you won’t want to leave any time soon.
Where: 65A Brushfield Street, Spitalfields, E1 6AA
Website: http://www.blixen.co.uk
Spring
Fine dining in atrium garden
Trees illuminated with uplighting make the garden room element of Spring, a restaurant with nature in it’s very name. Skye Gyngell’s Somerset House restaurant is her first solo venture and as one so heavily inspired by nature it’s not a huge surprise that she had a stint previously at Petersham Nurseries. Ingredients are seasonal, the menu changes daily and if the marbled/pillared drawing room is a little too formal for you, dine amongst trees and shrubs in the atrium garden room.
Where: Somerset House, Lancaster Place, WC2R 1LA
Website: http://springrestaurant.co.uk
Hoxton Grill
Hotel garden with retractable roof
The Hoxton Grill’s garden is a welcoming area for hotel guests and visitors alike. The retractable roof is firmly closed during winter, with heaters working their magic. Fairy lights give the space appeal during the evenings whilst during the day it is bright and airy, with a huge potted tree the centre of attention. The grill serves up steak, grilled fish and a selection of small plates including mac ‘n’ cheese bites and nachos.
Where: 81 Great Eastern Street, Shoreditch, EC2A 3HU
Website: https://thehoxton.com/london/shoreditch
Boundary
Sophisticated rooftop orangery
Perched on the rooftop of Shoreditch Hotel is an open fire, huge ancient olive tree and an indoor/outdoor heated orangery, with a canopy of vines, citrus and mimosa trees. Enjoy an early breakfast for that smug feeling or head up there a little later on, once the sun has set and the fairy lights have been switched on. Whilst an obvious choice for summer, during winter the menu includes hot cocktails, raclette and cheese fondue.
Where: 2-4 Boundary Street, Shoreditch, E2 7DD
Website: http://www.theboundary.co.uk
Sky Garden
London’s highest indoor garden
The highest indoor garden in the London, it’s only right that Sky Garden makes this list. The actual restaurant (Fenchurch Restaurant) isn’t particularly garden-y but the views from 155 metres above the city are incredible and you can just about see the plants below from the enclosed glass room you dine in. Alternatively, grab a coffee and slice of cake or glass of wine from the informal bar. It’s quite touristy but worth a visit.
Where: Sky Garden, 20 Fenchurch Street, London EC3M 8AF, UK
Website: skygarden.london
