Although billed as a garden centre, there is an important attitude here that lifts it above the…read morepansies and roses standard stuff and nearer to a proper nursery - they have a policy of trying to use mostly local growers. This means not only do you get some unusual plants making it a horticultural goodie bag for gardeners, but you also get plants that are used to the local climate. Plants range in size - there are some great specimen plants here to have a more instant garden feel as well as cheaper younger plants. All are in great condition with plenty of roots to the point where if you choose wisely you can split them and get two plants for the price of one. They have a bargain corner of those which have gone over but will come back in a few seasons or with a good pruning, so if you know your stuff then you can pick up a real bargain. The plants area outside is set out in handy sections - so if you have a shady corner where everything you plant dies then head to the back and there is a whole section of plants that will love that area. The staff are very happy to help, knowledgeable and perpetually cheery. The garden centre-y bit is well stocked, with the focus on what you can use now well-displayed. The cafe is always busy as the owners know that nothing goes better than pottering round a nursery with friends is to sit down and natter afterwards.

Cooperatively owned, Riverside Garden Centre is much better than it's more commercial peers…read more They've got an excellent (Bristol's largest, in fact) array of plants, both indoor and out, with a bargain section that I keep a sharp eye on. The emphasis is on locally sourced stuff, so you're unlikely to get something flown in from South Africa that's going to die within a fortnight. The staff are all chipper and friendly, and will answer your questions no matter how basic they are. The views over the River Avon and of the Suspension Bridge really are second to none. Add to this a café with absolutely scrumptious cake and you've got somewhere that's worth a visit even if you're not planning to pick up any plants (though that's not to say you won't).

This is a very large garden centre situated in West Monkton, just to the East of Taunton. It has a…read morelovely range of trees and outdoor plants, plus an enormous gift centre with crockery, local foodstuffs, etc. The cafe sells nice cakes and a wide range of cold and hot drinks.

From the owner: Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centreread more

My recent hobby of Tropical Fish keeping led me to Almondsbury Garden Centre just last weekend -…read morethey have a really good Aquatics section with everything you need to start and maintain a fish tank. With a rather impressive range of fish there is a lot to choose from - I would suggest reading up on the old fact sheets before going here as on one of my visits there wasn't anybody there who really knew their stuff. Having said this, on the second time there was! If you're going for a particular fish in mind it's really worth calling before hand as all new deliveries have to make if through a period of observation before they'll let you take them home. Aside from the fish the centre is positively brimming with all garden related necessities and accessories - I think I might go back in the spring to buy seeds for growing my own tomatoes / cucumbers / strawberries!

Having grown up in Bristol, I've been to this place countless times with my parents on boring…read moresunday trips out. As I got older though, I finally realised what a really good garden centre it is. It's basically massive, with a wide variety of plants on the outside section, from roses to small trees. It's got three sections - the main bit as you walk in, which houses garden furniture, indoor plants, seeds, cards, books (and the other more random items big garden centres tend to stock) and a really nice cafe, ideal for a cup of tea and flapjack on a sunday afternoon. Outside, it's got a really big patio area which contains most of the plants, with three large greenhouses to the top left of the patio. In here is an excellently stocked water department, selling fish, ponds, pumps and general water gardening paraphernalia. The young guy who runs this department is extremely friendly and really very helpful - he's advised on a few pump issues at my folks' house over the years. Check out the view over to the Severn bridge on the road that leads to the centre, it's phenomenal!

I love this lady, she used to have a shop down the road from me in Staple Hill, but has now moved…read moreto the altogether more funky and creative Paintworks business park. Boo for me but hurrah for her. She now has the space to hold workshops on flower arranging - they cost just £35 for an hour and half lesson including all the materials. She also has wedding events for those looking for ideas for that occasion. The staff all produce lovely bouquets and seem to be genuinely excited about putting something together when you go in and pick out some flowers. They have won gold medals at Chelsea Flower Show - its not just gardens at the RHS show in London, they have a huge floral marquee attracting florists from around the world and to win a gold is remarkable stuff.

Based a little way East of hard core Bristol this garden centre is a little different! It almost…read morereminds me of the plant sanctuary type places you see on holiday. As well as all the standard range of indoor, outdoor and water plants they also offer some rather unusual furniture and garden ornaments, including some animal themed ones! There's a real nice tea shop where I sampled a delicious slice of Victoria Sandwich Cake. They're website details the flowers and plants they stock so it's a good idea to check if they've got what your after before you make the journey there.

Bit of a weird one, and I don't normally frequent garden centres, but my encounter with this place…read morewas unusual I want to share it. Totem poles and serious-looking masks glowered at the entrance, and I crept past to an oasis of water features, palm trees and funky looking plants. There's a tiny florists shop, a desert-mock up with sand, cactus and wheelbarrows, and all manner of Buddha statues and incense burners. Architectural junk sits amidst trees and herbs (some that have lasted for several months in my garden and I'm far from green-fingered!) Long outbuildings house mirrors, terracota pots and rugs - all bright and inexpensive. Best bit: homemade lemon cake and a pot of proper char in the cafe. Well, all that gardening is thirsty work afterall!

A little off the beaten track but well worth a visit. Originally stopped here for a coffee but the…read morerange of fresh food on offer meant I decided to have lunch here. The tarragon chicken and rhubarb and red currant crumble with Earl Grey ice cream were delicious and the cost very reasonable. I dined outside to make the most of the sunshine and surroundings. A quick tour of the walled garden, where the cafe is sited, revealed that most of the ingredients I had eaten were sourced only a few yards away. Fruits growing in the garden included apple, pear, raspberries, blackcurrants, apricots and kiwi fruit and I'll definitely be making a return visit here. A real hidden gem

Amazing nursery with top quality trees and shrubs. Be warned this has no frills, the nursery is…read morebare track and outside so wrap up warm with sensible footwear. With their stock best planted in autumn, winter and spring you will find this nursery is shut on Saturdays during July and August. You can buy whole lengths of hedging here, as well as young to mature trees including ornamental, conifer and fruit trees. I have bought an unusual cherry variety here and it was in great condition and now living happily in my garden. They also supplied me with the equipment to stake the tree securely and lots of advice on looking after it - although it has pretty much been left to fend for itself and is growing so much each year. You can get plants delivered - expect to pay 10% of the bill (minimum charges apply plus VAT) - or they are very helpful at getting things into your car! I can't recommend this place enough - specialist nurseries should always be chosen over garden centres and if you are spending this amount of money on one plant then you want to ensure it has a healthy enough start. Talking of prices, my boyfriend was shocked to pay £70 for a tree.. until I pointed out that the nursery had grown this from seedling and cared for it for several years already and that it will last us a lifetime. You can buy smaller whips from here if your budget is tight but you will have to wait a few years before you get a proper tree in your garden.

FANTASTIC customer service - surpassed my expectations! When a national on line hedge supplier let…read moreme down, I turned to Chew Valley Trees to help. I had been waiting for two weeks with the other supplier until I became so fed up I cancelled the order. I was amazed when CVT said they would deliver to me the next day. Highly recommended.

Once you get past the overpriced garden furniture, the limited pet care range, and the slightly…read morealarming range of 'gifts' (apart from the scented Yankee candles, which I love), Whitehall has a fantastic selection of seeds, bulbs and plants. And while it's fairly expensive, the plants here are far, far better cared for than in cheaper places such as B&Q. The other advantage of buying from a proper garden centre like this is the fact that you can ask expert advice. In the outdoor area of the centre there's a covered Information booth where knowledgeable staff are on hand to answer gardening questions, whether you need advice on growing your own veg or planting up borders and pots. On my last visit they helped me choose fruit bushes that would thrive in the partially shaded borders of my garden. There's a late night shopping and supper evening once a month, when the Wild Poppy Restaurant serves up a full three-course meal, including a veggie option. I've never tried the supper, but I have enjoyed a delicious slice of coffee and walnut cake with a cup of tea.

This is a review of the restaurant area. If we're in the area we often visit the garden centre for…read morelunch. The restaurant is large with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Highchairs for babies are also available. The food is generally excellent with generous portions and healthy options all at reasonable prices. Parking is available but the entrance car park is usually full and you'll end up in the spillover car park a couple of minutes walk away.

This is another big but fairly expensive garden centre that sells everything you'd expect, from…read moreplants, pots and garden ornaments to barbecue equipment, garden tools and furniture. This place stands out from the rest, however, for its range of miniature 'Show Gardens' where they offer ideas and inspiration for your own garden, including some interesting designs and layouts, use of a variety of materials, and different planting styles. I was also quite impressed by their range of plant pots, both for indoors and outdoors, which included more choice (in terms of colours, styles and materials) than many of their competitors. They're also good for trellis, patio furniture and garden tools. There's a section selling aquatics, another selling gifts (some of questionable style, in my view, but each to their own!), plus a cafe.

A pretty good garden centre, large, with just about everything you'll need. An impressive range of…read moreoutdoor and indoor plants and pots, trellis, netting, patio materials and garden tools. Artificial flowers too, a gift department and a cafe (which could do with more choice, especially vegetarian). The 'show gardens' are interesting and a good idea to help people trying to plan the lay-out of their new gardens. Quite an expensive place.