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!

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!

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.

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).

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.

I actually came across this nursery because it sells riding gear such as hats, headcollars, bits,…read moreriding gloves and saddles - but first and foremost it is, of course, a nursery. It offers a good balance of practical and ornamental gardening products, and the staff are on hand to offer planting advice if you need it - with less 'tat' than you find at some other big garden centres. Apart from selling plants, trees, shrubs and flowers, Oakley Green is also well-known for its huge range of pots, containers and garden ornaments - there are literally thousands lined up, in every shape and colour, and I love rooting around to find something a bit different for our patio. You can also pick up the usual gardening essentials such as compost, tools, fencing materials and sheds - plus even some children's play equipment, log cabins and conservatories. If you live around Westerleigh there's no need to venture further afield for plants or garden gear, as they sell everything you need. Oh, and they claim the on-site Acorn Café does a good Sunday roast - but I can't vouch for that as I haven't tried it myself.

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

Lovely shop with a wide range of fresh flowers and plants to choose from. They do seasonal specials…read more(like wreaths and misletoe for Christmas) and delivery. The shop also has containers, soft toys and balloons to personalise your floral gifts. The staff are very knowledgable about all things floral and can make suggestions for custom arrangements. They can do any arrangement for parties, weddings and funerals for a reasonable price.

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