How to Visit the Hollyhock Café: A Fairytale Spot in Richmond

The scenic London suburb of Richmond is an absolute gem; full of lovely places to eat, drink and wander. The Hollyhock Café, tucked away in the Terrace Gardens is one of my favourite places.

To visit Richmond and miss this place would really be to miss out. It’s Richmond’s very own little fairytale cafe.

The Hollyhock Café, Richmond

The Hollyhock Café: If that name is making you think whimsical and cottage core then you’re on the right track.

Tucked away at the top of the Terrace Gardens in Richmond, you could miss it. It’s small and nestled into the trees and gardens as if it’s been there forever.

The pretty exterior caught my eye and my imagination. Just look at that terrace, the crooked beams and the way it is tucked into the hillside.

I was plotting a modern day, Richmond based fairy tale series based on this place as we walked in. If anyone from Netflix reads this, send me an email. We can discuss further. I’ll meet you at the cafe to talk about it.

The interior of the Hollyhock doesn’t disappoint either. There’s a pretty tiled floor, a big old woodburning stove, comfy couches made for snuggling and charmingly mismatched wooden chairs.

It’s welcoming and comfortable. Homely.

Can we also take a moment to appreciate the eclectic gallery wall, please? It’s a bit brilliant. I’d love a wall like this in my home, but it doesn’t go down so well in military housing. Not when a housing officer is counting picture hooks as you leave.

It’s not all about style though, the Hollyhock Café also has substance. Bringing me neatly on to…

Food and Drink at the Hollyhock Café, Richmond

This is a café that knows what its about; the menu is fair trade, organic and/or locally sourced. There are a range of options, from light bites to the rustic and hearty.

There’s a full range of breakfast options including porridge from Wolfys. There’s a gorgeous menu of soups, salads and savouries for later in the day, including hearty options like Chick pea curry.

And of course, plenty of cake and sweet options for the anytime treat.

You’d have to be a very fussy eater not to find something there that made you go, ‘ooh go on then’.

We turned up somewhere between breakfast and lunch so went for Portuguese custard tarts ( no judgement please, they were on the breakfast menu!), pastries and toast. Mr THL had seconds. He’s a beast, I’ve no idea where he puts it. Tea for him and coffee for me.

The nicest coffee I’ve had in a while and I’m fussy. All lovely, couldn’t fault the food or the service.

One of the nicest things about Hollyhock Café is the mix of customers. This is a popular spot with visitors and locals alike. The Café is also dog friendly, so you can expect to meet some well behaved four legged friends!

Café for All Seasons

The Hollyhock Café is the perfect Richmond destination year round.

Although there is limited indoor seating- a perch next to that lovely wood burner is a prime winter spot!- there is ample seating on the terrace, which is covered. In the cooler seasons, blankets and hot water bottles are provided.

The views across the Terrace Gardens down to the River Thames from the cafe terrace are some of the best in the area. In Spring/Summer, you’ll also enjoys views of the beautiful floral displays in the Terrace Gardens.

It’s also a great spot to watch the tree tops. You’ll spot ( and probably hear) the bright green Parakeets that have become a fixture of almost every London park.

Locals seem immune to the sight of them but they make me smile.

If you’re lucky, you’ll have some wild life company. This handsome little squirrel came to see what was on offer. He/she took a piece of buttered toast.

Definitely not the grey squirrel’s natural diet, but the sort of thing a squirrel in a Beatrix Potter-esque tale might eat, which just fits in beautifully with the fairy tale feel of the place.

I’ve never been asked to describe the perfect brunch. But I think sitting on the terrace of a fair trade, fairy tale cafe with river and garden views, sharing toast with a squirrel and a table with my husband is probably about it.

How to find the Hollyhock Café & Opening Times

Find the Hollyhock Cafe at Terrace Gardens, Petersham Rd, TW10 6UX. Look for the glass house and then follow the path uphill. The café is on your right.

The nearest rail station is Richmond, about a 15/20 minute walk away

The Café is open year round. Open Mon- Frin, 8.00- dusk. Sat-Sun, 07.30- dusk.

Things to do in Richmond

If you’d like to explore whilst in the area you could:

• Walk round the Terrace Gardens, the formal Richmond garden with river views. Enjoy seasonal displays, a rose garden and the famous statue of Aphrodite.
• For a longer, wilder walk visit nearby Richmond Park. Home to the famous resident deer herd, historic spots and views to London.
• Join a Ted Lasso Tour. If you enjoyed the feel-good TV show, a location tour is a must. This tour ends with a drink at the Crown and Anchor, as frequented by Ted himself.
• Ham House & Gardens. A 17th century house on the banks of the Thames, full of treasures and surrounded by historic gardens. Now cared for by the National Trust.

If you want to extend your stay in Richmond overnight, I’d recommend looking at Harbour Hotel Richmond. It’s a beautiful hotel, perfectly located to explore all that Richmond has to offer. Find my full review here.

If you likes this post, you might also enjoy this post about another beautiful place in London: The Ultimate Guide to the London Sky Garden

Helen x