To find a little gem - a trip to the Garden Musuem

The hot weather continues and we decided against the beach as to not drive for too long in the heat (and Sunday traffic) for our usual Sunday family outing. After a bit of research we settled on the Garden Museum, next to Lambeth Palace. The Garden Museum resides in an old church, St Mary's, that was rescued from demolition in the 1970s and then turned into the world's first Garden Museum. It was very pretty and picturesque, a little gem and oasis in the middle of busy London roads. We had a vegan lunch at the museum cafe, not as popular with the rest of the family as it was with me.

There was also a small exhibition with Dan Pearson, a contemporary garden designer (that I had never heard of but apparently it was one of the reasons my husband suggested the visit...), and M really enjoyed watching the soothing films about his gardens and design, appropriately in a comfy deckchair.

The entrance to the Garden Museum - which didn't really have a garden, just a small church yard/garden - it was still pretty.

We've only got a balcony but it's lovely to have our own oasis, albeit small. This little bird came home with us today, our small balcony might be a bit crowded but there is always space for something pretty.

Beautiful "seed display" from the olden days.

The cafe in the Garden Museum/church.

There was also an Arts & Crafts fair going on and outside, in the small church yard, M got to draw on ceramics and created a colourful pendant (she chose the shape of a leaf, very appropriate).

 

Outside the Garden Museum, which is next to Lambeth Palace (the home of the Archbishop of Canterbury) and opposite one of the most famous buildings in the world...Big Ben is behind the tree...

Outside the Church aka Garden Museum, necklace/pendant on full display.

Free seeds for the kids!