A little vignette from our London travels in March. The day after our arrival our daughter, Mlle, suggested Saturday breakfast at a quaint little cafe not too far from her home in north west London. The Quince Tree Cafe is part of the Clifton Nurseries in the Warwick Avenue/Little Venice neighbourhood near the London canals.
From previous posts (see here and here) you’ll know that our trip was in the bitterly cold spell in March (such a contrast with the current July heatwave!). Therefore our planned walk turned into a quick Uber ride.
Tucked away down a little alley, the Quince Tree is a real gem. It’s housed in a converted greenhouse overlooking rows of potted plants and garden beds. Even on a gloomy March day it seemed light and spacious – the perfect spot to enjoy the gardens with a steaming pot of tea. We eagerly tucked into a very hearty breakfast (we were jet lagged and feeling the cold!).
On a warmer day we would have loved to linger a bit longer in the grounds but it was a day for staying rugged up indoors as far as possible.
Just up the road are steps leading to the pathway along the canal – Little Venice is the point where the Regents Canal joins the Grand Junction Canal and there are lovely walks in both directions along the banks. It was not a day for walking too far though – the pictures don’t show the black ice and we were slipping and sliding all over the place.
If you’re ever in the vicinity the Quince Tree is the perfect spot for refreshments and next time we hope we’ll be able to get our canal walk in!
Copyright © 2018 Rosemary Thomas Le Chic En Rose. All rights reserved
Le Chic En Rose 
It looks lovely, even if it was freezing ! 🙂
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It’s a lovely place but next time hope it will be a bit warmer! The canal was completely frozen over!
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Heavens, my teeth are chattering just looking at these photos, Rosemay. And to think of the weather they’re having now in London. I can’t remember a Wimbledon like it. 🙂 🙂
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It’s such a contrast isn’t it Jo – only 4 months ago. My dad says there has been a peat fire on the Moors in the Pennines it’s the sort of thing we expect in an Australian summer. Yes unusual not to have a rainy day at Wimbledon! I’ll be along to check out your walk a bit later today – am out and about at present! Hope you are having a wonderful week enjoying the sunshine 😃😃
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The weather has changed already in the north east but keeping fingers crossed for later in the week and the Tall Ships at Sunderland xx
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Hope the weather will hold Jo – it still seems hot in London and last I heard in Yorkshire. Look forward to seeing pictures of the Tall Ships! xx
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Wow …the River Thames looks very much frozen. This tea house looks like the perfect place to warm up😄
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Was definitely a day to be indoors Gilda! A great contrast to the wall to wall sunshine in the UK at present! Always love a quaint cafe whatever the season 😃
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How lovely. Little Venice was on my list when I was in London 18 months ago but I ran out of time. It always takes twice as long as you expect to get around London. At least your photos have given me a good look at it.
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Yes there’s always so much to do in London and it can take a while to get around everywhere. Little Venice is very pretty not usually as frozen as this though! Hope you get back to London some day 😃
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Wow, look at that frozen canal! It’s hard to remember that weather now as we all melt in the heat (although today is much cooler).
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It was only 4 months ago too – a huge contrast! I think it must be getting cooler up north – apparently it’s still hot in London. Hope it doesn’t get too cool for you!
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Rained this morning!
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That must be the first rain for quite a while – more like a “normal” summer!
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First for several weeks – didn’t last long though, but it’s much cooler today. More like a typical scottish summer day!
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I guess the weather had to break sometime but hope there is more sun on the way soon!
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Wow how pretty! Even in the cold! Thank you for sharing 🙂
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You’re very welcome it was a very pretty place! 😃
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