This is one of the biggest and best garden centres in the area and a past winer of the coveted Garden Centre of the Year. It is a popular day out for the local shopaholics. It sells everything from barbecues to outdoor whirlpools. As well as the plant centre, there is a large floor area selling good quality gifts, china, books, craft materials as well as household furnishings. It is a pleasant place to browse and admire and definitely where to head if you want a special present and the card to go with it.
Edinburgh Woollen Mill have a franchise here.
There is a huge and very popular Christmas shop which opens to great razzmatazz in October. This is upstairs so doesn’t affect the downstairs display areas. Visit in January for 50% off bargains.
Outside is a huge covered area with plants and trees as well as an undercover area inside selling less hardy plants. In the spring this is full of every variety of bedding plant imaginable. The choice is excellent and most plants are in good condition. Plants are not cheap now, but their prices are probably comparable with elsewhere in the area and quality is better. They sell a range of smaller plants very cheaply for the money conscious. We’ve bought many of these and they have been great, especially if you are prepared to allow the extra couple of years they need grow. If you are after a specific plant or variety, they may not have it in stock, but we have always found something else suitable. There is a high staff presence. Information on the labels of pot plants can sometimes leave a lot to be desired. If staff don’t know the answer to a question, they will check on the internet for you.
The range of seeds is reasonable although not as great now as it used to be, probably a reflection of changes in gardening. They sell Unwins seeds as well as Thompson and Morgan. There is a reasonable selection of tools including Wolf.
There is a huge range of paving slabs, garden furniture and statuary. You really can design a garden beautiful.
They sell tropical fish and everything to set up your own aquarium. Wild birds aren’t forgotten either with a range of different bird foods and feeders.
For those wanting to spend all day here (and many do) there is a restaurant and the toilets are good.
It has a huge car park. Avoid Sunday afternoons as you won’t find space to park.
