Metronome Coffee's Guide to Morden: Discovering London's Hidden Gem 🇬🇧
Outside the tourist circuit of London, Metronome stands in the town of Morden, England. “Lots of fun running routes and parks and just generally green spaces all on your doorstep,” says Metronome co-director Tom Featherstone. Originally from Morden, Tom’s guide to his hometown takes a look at the places & spaces familiar to people from there. “Lots of the people have remained and there are lots of new faces; it's exciting to see how it is changing.”
Metronome Coffee is located in Morden, England, south of London. Photos courtesy of Metronome
Filter: What do you like to do for fun around Morden?
Morden is great for getting outdoors when you're pressed for time—lots of fun running routes and parks and just generally green spaces all on your doorstep. Morden Hall Park is a national trust park and has some great little hidden paths as well as the second best bridge in the UK for pooh sticks according to an article in 2015.
Filter: If a good friend came to visit, where would you be sure to take them?
Depending on the time of year but right now, caught between spring and summer, an iced coffee and a walk around Morden Hall Park followed by a pint of Guinness at Ganley’s, the best Irish pub in London, or a glass of wine from our very own Metronome. Miga is also a beaut family restaurant that I would always highly recommend for lunch or dinner!
Filter: What do you like to do to escape the city?
I enjoy driving down to the Surrey Hills—it's really accessible from Morden.
There's lots of walks for any weather down there with some great pubs or even Chimney Fire Coffee Roasters if you prefer.
Filter: What touristy things in Morden are worth the hype?
Ganley's Sunday Roast broke TikTok recently—I'm glad they're getting the hype they deserve. As I said, the best Irish pub in London!
Filter: Where are your favorite quiet corners there?
There's a beautiful stretch of green called Kendor Gardens where no one is allowed to build houses because of the tube tunnels below it. So a community took it on and turned it into a lovely garden and has been part of Morden's history for a long time. We donate our used coffee grounds to them to use on their flower beds as well!
Filter: What's another coffee shop around there that you really admire, and what about them stands out to you?
If you walk through Morden Hall Park and out the other end at Colliers Wood, there is a coffee bike there called Forty Acre. They have a micro roaster and roast their own coffee too!
Filter: What makes Morden feel like home to you?
Growing up here I really have experienced Morden from all angles. Lots of the people have remained and there are lots of new faces; it's exciting to see how it is changing.
Filter: How did you end up in the Morden coffee scene?
I’m from Morden but fell in love with coffee during my time studying music in Sheffield.
Since moving back I’m trying to bring that same community approach partnered with an ambition for quality that I found in Sheffield.
Filter: Can you share about what it’s been like creating Metronome?
I’m currently co-director of the business at Metronome. I got to join as a barista when Metronome was just coming out or surviving covid and just fell in love with the place.
I love seeing what the space means to different people and groups—spending so much time there myself, you see people’s lives playing out in the coffee shop.
Previously pregnant customers now with their newborns, couples showing their parents their fave coffee spot, and seeing good pals hangout. It’s real cute when you think about it.
Filter: If you could move to any place in the world just for the coffee scene, where would you move, and what shop would be the biggest reason?
For the coffee scene alone I think London has what you need, but I would move to New Zealand. Not for a particular shop—more for all the other stuff New Zealand has to offer as well as a very established thriving coffee scene.
Filter: Anything you’d like to add?
We have just opened a wine bar out of the same space as our coffee shop. We’re taking the same approach as we do to coffee. Great product, from great producers served in an accessible space for our whole community! We’re very excited about it and have enjoyed seeing how people interact with the space and the new menu.
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Metronome Coffee is located in Morden, England, south of London.
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