Some people simply shop for plants and flowers, while others use garden centres as an excuse to…read morewander through a free botanical garden, finding peace among the weird and wonderful foliage. The strange thing about Riverside is that you're surrounded by heavy traffic, yet it feels like an oasis of shrubs and petals; lost in a cocoon of colourful plants. You can get all sorts of things here, from the traditional and cheap to the exotic and expensive, including garden ornaments, compost, bird feeders etc. And if all you want to do is chill out beneath the trees, there are benches to do just that, and you can buy cake and coffee at the small cafe, too. It's a little bit out of the way for some, and perhaps even hidden, but it's worth going to if you fancy a peaceful hour of browsing through the undergrowth. You never know, you may even buy something.

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.

I like this garden centre but not for the plants! Very often I find that the plants of a lesser…read morequality than the ones you buy in say Monkton Elm. I know its smaller but survival rate is not, in my opinion very good. However I love their gifts and if I am ever unsure of what to buy someone I can usually find it here. I love their garden utensils and you often find quirky but useful bits and pieces for the garden. Large displays of furniture for outside and conservatories. Also good books and cards etc. The little cafe is quick and clean and serves, not delicious food but value for money breakfasts and lasagnes etc. Staff friendly and very helpful.

A pretty nice garden centre. Niced sized carpark. It is not massive but not tiny. It has a nice…read moresized outdoor area mainly selling plants. Inside it sells more plants,books,gifts and other garden centre type things. It has a small but comfy and friendly cafe with a good selection of food and drink. It also has toilets.

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.

There's been a garden centre here for a long time, but in the last year it has been taken over by…read morePugh's. Like many garden centres, the garden element no longer feels centre stage as there's a discount bookshop, stationery, a bath bomb and a clothing concession... you get the picture. There's some really tacky stuff (glass fairies, for example) alongside nicer artisan items. That means it can be a good place for gifts and just to browse, along with looking at plants and garden furniture. At the rear, there's a cafe called the Orange Tree, which sells sandwiches, soups and light meals, cakes and, on Sundays, they do a full roast. We went there recently and two roast dinners, a bowl of Cawl with bread, and a bacon and Brie panini with drinks came to under £40. Staff were pleasant and I found the veggie roast (mushroom nut roast) with a Yorkshire pudding and roast vegetables to be surprisingly good - they were all perfectly cooked. The only downer is that the car park is roughly gravelled surface, and the entrance isn't obvious off the south Wenvoe roundabout - from Barry, you take the left turn and bear right almost immediately (it helps not to swing in too fast).

There are garden centres galore in and around Cardiff, but this place is a bit different because…read morethe emphasis is mainly on garden buildings and paving rather than plants and accessories. If you're looking for a shed or summer house, or even a garden office, they have far more choice here than you'd ever get at the likes of B&Q or a general garden centre, with a greater variety of sizes and styles to suit different spaces. They also sell Vitavia Greenhouses, log cabins, play houses, thatched gazebos, and even a wooden garden bar! When it comes to garden paving and gravels, they have an impressive range of products for different budgets and garden styles. They're the largest stockist of Bowland Stone (one of the UK's market leaders in landscaping and flooring products) in Cardiff, and also offer more specialised products such as sandstone paving as an alternative to traditional paving. Note that the above opening times are for winter - in the summer (1 March - 30 September) they open longer hours: Monday - Friday 9.00am - 5.30pm; Saturday 9.00am - 5.00pm; Sunday 10.30am - 4.30pm.

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 a small, privately-run garden centre adjacent to the car park at Barry Town railway…read morestation. They sell a small but useful range of plants, and in spring have rows of containers with bedding plants. My parents have been buying stuff from them for several years, and the quality is usually pretty good (although like all bedding plants, get there early if you want to get the best). The choice of plants is very conservative - pansies, petunias, lobelias, that sort of thing - so it's not really for you, if you are looking for something exotic. They have a small shop selling compost and the usual range of sprays and accessories for gardening. Staff are reasonably friendly and will carry your plants to your car if you need help. NB There's no dedicated parking - customers can park on the main road just outside.

Broad Street offers a varied range of plants, gardening materials and decor that suits a wide…read moreselection of tastes and budgets. Conveniently named after its location, Broad Street is perfectly situated next door to Barry's Railway Station and just a few minutes' walk from the neighbouring high street. As someone who kills every plant that graces my flat, I don't know much about gardening, so would value any help offered by a sales assistant. Weirdly, I couldn't find anyone here; I walked around the outside area for a bit without anyone asking if I needed assistance - I thought the place was closed if the gate hadn't been opened. Perhaps they were just in the store room... Even if you're not in the market for any greenery, Broad Street offers a range of statues, bird baths, and bird houses, so you can add a bit of character to your garden without getting your hands dirty.

Brynawel Garden Centre is located on Sully Road near Penarth and also incorporates the Brynawel…read moreFuchsia Centre, a section containing a blast of pink and purple fuchsias alongside many varieties of geraniums. It started out life in 1976 as a family run nursery growing tomatoes and lettuce for the wholesale market, followed by spring and summer production of flowers for the same market. Over the years, it expanded into the garden centre it is today - aimed at domestic customers. They produce most of their own bedding plants and their main specialities are Fuchsias (more than 1000 varieties) and Pelargoniums (more than 200 varieties). The fuschia shop is said to attract people from far and wide, and is open from March to September. They also sell shrubs and trees, spring bulbs, fertilizers, pots and planters, hanging baskets, garden furniture, watering products, Wolf tools, and lots more - then at Christmas they also sell Christmas trees. Brynawel also offers free local delivery within Penarth, Barry, Dinas Powys, Sully and Wenvoe on Monday and Friday. If you lie outside those areas you can still get delivery, but they make a small charge. The garden centre is a Wolf tools main agent, so sells plenty of gardening equipment from hoes and rakes to battery hedge shears.

Loads of different plants to other garden centres and very well priced. It is a bit run down but…read morethe stock justifies it! The toilets are very run down but useable. Was quite quiet however a really nice garden centre. If the owner is reading this I highly suggest you set up social media to attract more people. I highly recommended you visit.

Small but useful village garden centre with all the basics; small selection of outdoor plants…read more(especially good for flowering plants in season which are always set out on the front forecourt in trays); also indoors you'll find lots of accessories, compost, pots, weed killer etc. Easy parking at the front.