Garden centres are one-stop shops for everything you need for the garden, and as we trudge through winter, and spring gets tantalisingly closer, garden centres are places of possibility and inspiration, where we can get excited for the botanical year ahead. Selling plants galore, as well as pots, tools, garden furniture and a whole host of gifts and sundries, these centres can be also be real destinations in themselves, pleasant for an afternoon out, with in-store cafes and restaurants. You can even find lots of little gifts and trinkets for people too, and often some sort of farm shop on the side. Many garden centres also have a garden and landscaping design team available in case you need a little extra help with planning, and their expertise can be a godsend – feel free to bounce ideas off them or pose them your most fiendish planting and layout questions.
Here, our Garden Editor Clare Foster highlights a selection of the best garden centres up and down the country, some of which are one-off emporiums, others part of well-known larger garden centre chains. Wherever you’re based, there’s a place nearby for you to pick up anything you might happen to need.
UK-wide chains
Based in Scotland, Dobbies has become the UK’s largest garden centre chains since it acquired the former Wyevale group, with 69 centres from Wales to East Anglia, from Cornwall to Inverness. Dobbies garden centres are renowned for their high quality plants and huge range of outdoor living products – and their breakfasts!
Hillier have 17 centres in the south of England and are known for their excellent quality plants and trees. The company was founded in the 19th century by Edwin Hillier and expanded by his grandson, Sir Harold Hillier in the second half of the 20th century alongside his famous arboretum near Romsey in Hampshire. Hillier is just about to launch a new online plant shop.
Notcutts have 18 centres in the south, east and as far north as Leeds, and another long-standing, well-respected chain that has been owned and run by the Notcutt family since 1897. The company prides itself on the quality of its plants, 90% of which are grown in the UK.
London
Located in Sydney Street just off the King’s Road, The Chelsea Gardener is everything you’d expect in this chic corner of London, with top-end product ranges and a good range of plants suitable for city gardens.
125 Sydney St, Chelsea, London SW3 6NR
Established in 1851, Clifton Nurseries in Maida Vale is one of the capital’s longest-running nurseries and a real oasis in West London. A large historic glasshouse is stuffed full of exotic conservatory plants, while outside you will find a huge range of perennials and shrubs. The landscaping service is highly respected.
5A Clifton Villas, Little Venice, London W9 2PH
Petersham has become a hip venue, with its range of plants and accessories set out with stylish flair. Everything is beautifully curated, from the displays of fresh flowers in the glasshouses, to the artisan-designed tools and products on the shelves, and they offer a range of plants that will excite even the most seasoned gardener.
Church Lane, Petersham Rd, Church Lane TW10 7AB
Central England
In the heart of the Cotswolds, Burford is a real destination store with a carefully curated mix of plants, gardenalia, home décor, furniture, clothes and food. It’s worth devoting a few hours to a visit, as this emporium is laid out over an eleven-acre site, with much to tempt and take in. You will discover quirky, original products, high quality plants and stylish garden accessories.
Shilton Rd, Burford OX18 4PA
Nicholsons is a family-run garden and landscaping company that offers a wide range of top quality plants from their site near Bicester in North Oxfordshire. Specialising in trees, shrubs and topiary, they also sell unique garden accessories and furniture. The Yurt Café is an added attraction.
The Park, Bicester OX25 6HL
Midlands
This huge horticultural centre near Nantwich covers 50 acres, including show gardens to give you ideas for your own plot.
Bridgemere, Nantwich CW5 7QB
North
Hayes Garden World in Cumbria is one of the biggest garden centres in the northwest, stocking everything you can think of to smarten up your outdoor space. Their purpose-built garden furniture showroom is one of the largest in the country.
Lake Rd, Ambleside LA22 0DW
This family-run centre is committed to running an environmentally friendly business, so you’ll find a plastic pot recycling station when you arrive. A good farm shop is a bonus.
Garstang Rd, Brock, Preston PR3 0BT
South West
The Otter Garden Centres at Ottery St Mary, Plymouth and Taunton among other sites are well known in the south west. They grow many of their plants themselves and offer a range of other products from BBQs to garden buildings.
Gosford Road, Ottery St Mary, Devon, EX11 1LZ (and around the south west)
