I visit Prior Park most weeks, it is a lovely garden centre, well stocked with a wide variety of quality plants. It's not the cheapest place to buy, but then you get what you pay for sometimes, also it is well staffed with people who are usually able to assist with your queries.
Prior Park is more than just a garden centre - there is a good pet section (including stocking more unusual items, such as foodstuffs for reptiles), a really nice food section with reasonably priced organic and local food, and all sorts of homewares, including plenty of unusual gift ideas.
What I visit weekly for though, is its excellent cafe. There is an indoor seating area with air conditioning, or you can sit outside on a sunny terrace. Again, not the cheapest in town, but the quality of the food and drink is very good; they always have a range of scrumptious cakes, plus a standard snack menu of sandwiches, toasties and jacket potatoes. There is usually a home made soup of the day, plus a couple of main course options. I had pea and mint soup yesterday and it was delicious, so good that I passed my compliments to the chef.
It's a good venue to meet people for coffee; a real bonus is that there is ample free parking for customers, which is a rare and precious thing in central Bath! read more