As wonderful as it is to live in a city as vibrant, exciting and eclectic as London (and I am fiercely sure I will never tire of it), when it comes to weekends and pottering around day to day- I am truly devoted to the spots on my doorstep. The bakeries, cafes, and independent shops that rarely require a zone change or a long bus ride. And though I feel like I’ve definitely gotten into the groove of sharing lots of my favourite places in central London, I realise I rarely dip into the spots closer to home that despite perhaps not being at the end of a tube line (yet! YET!), are well worth the visit too.
Now, initially this was going to be ‘5 random south London spots I love’ but I realised all but one were merely five minutes of each other, so thought I’d keep it to one area today to make it easier (and make for a real round trip, in case it’s not that local to you either). So here we are; Hither Green! One of my favourite pockets of south London, and somewhere I often stop by if I’ve been to Blackheath or Greenwich. The perfect parade for a breakfast or an afternoon cuppa- my best friend Gemma and I have been mooching around here and having sugary teas for the last 15 years (I remember posting about You Don’t Bring Me Flowers on here back in 2010), so on a recent weekend where we pondered over a breakfast spot, I had just the place in mind…
Arlo & Moe
Arlo & Moe has quickly become one of my favourite places for breakfast, lunch and cloud-like afternoon chocolate Guinness cake (usually with a top weighed down by enough cream cheese and small green clover sprinkles to sink a truly delicious ship). Whether I’m sat by the window catching up with a friend over porridge on a bright Monday, tucking into beans and scrambled eggs with my toddler, picking up a doorstop takeaway sandwich, settling in for a Saturday morning catch up or bringing my grandparents for breakfast- it always feels like the perfect breakfast-next-door neighbourhood spot to while away a few hours in. A truly great all-rounder for any time of day.
Next door to Arlo & Moe is one of my favourite shops south of the river. I have found it impossible to pop into here and not leave without a bunch of their Icelandic poppies, a knit from their beautifully curated vintage rail (which always seems to have the best pieces) a hand thrown vase, a greetings card for my stash or simply something else I didn’t know I needed but now cannot continue without! The drama! The rush! It’s the perfect shop which balances floristry, gifting and curated home wear so well and everything is styled with the most caring thoughtful eye. Plus, a shop with almost three rows of Le Bon Shoppe is almost code for ‘it’s going to be nice here isn’t it’. Three Sisters
Crimson and Clover
Perhaps it’s cheating including the sister shop to Three Sisters here, but if you’re in the area it would be rude not to! Head across the bridge from Hither Green Station and you can’t miss the ruby red front of Crimson and Clover tucked along the parade. Stocking the most beautifully selected collection of childrenswear, knitting goods, natural beauty and more romantic vintage; these two shops are the kind I wish every high street would have on them.
You Don’t Bring Me Flowers
I remember coming here years ago and writing about it, and it feels really special to be able to revisit a local independent shop which is still thriving and blooming years later. And it truly hasn’t changed. The most gorgeous interior, which is bursting with flowers and things to look at; it’s the perfect place to hole up in the corner with a coffee and watch the world go by through a frame of petals and posies. Whether you’re in the market for plants, fresh cakes, a hand tied bouquet or just five minutes before your train; surely there isn’t anywhere more beautiful to do it.
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