‘Award winning’ garden centre in Powys named among the best in the UK

From Cumbria to Cardiff and everywhere in between, the Daily Mail has revealed the 25 best garden centres in the UK.

Introducing the list the news outlet said: “Who doesn’t love a trip to the garden centre?

“Whether you’re after colourful winter bedding plants for a hanging basket, a new evergreen shrub for the front garden, or simply a nice cup of tea and a scone, a trip to a horticultural haven is one of the nation’s favourite days out.

“So, from Cumbria to Cardiff, Essex to Inverness, we’ve scoured the nation’s garden centres and rated their plant selections and coffee shops to bring you the very best in the UK.”

We’ve ranked the UK’s 25 best garden centres, from a Cornish castle to a Michelin Green Star restaurant and London’s oldest nursery – so does your local make the list? https://t.co/MVOiV70UIx pic.twitter.com/W7d1lcx8V4

— Mail+ (@DailyMailUK) October 16, 2024

The UK’s best garden centres

The top 25 best garden centres in the UK, according to the Daily Mail, are:

1. Perrywood Garden Centre, Tiptree, Essex
2. Notcutts, Woodbridge, Suffolk
3. Ruxley Manor, Sidcup, Kent
4. Merriments Gardens, East Sussex
5. Haskins Garden Centre Snowhill, Copthorne, West Sussex
6. Hillier Garden Centre, Winchester, Hampshire
7. Clifton Nurseries, Maida Vale, London
8. Petersham Nurseries, Richmond
9. Burford Garden Centre, Oxfordshire
10. Bournville Garden Centre, Birmingham
11. Bridgemere Garden Centre, Nantwich
12. Bents Garden & Home, Warrington
13. Barton Grange Garden Centre, Preston
14. Fairways Garden Centre, Ashbourne, Derbyshire
15. Tong Garden Centre, West Yorkshire
16. Cowell’s Garden Centre, Newcastle
17. Hayes Garden World, Cumbria
18. Pugh’s Garden Village, Cardiff
19. The Old Railway Line Garden Centre, Brecon, Powys
20. Caulders Mugdock, Milngavie, Glasgow
21. Simpsons, Inverness
22. Monkton Elm Garden Centre, Taunton, Somerset
23. Otter Garden Centres, Ottery Saint Mary, Devon
24. Duchy of Cornwall Nursery, Lostwithiel, Cornwall
25. Coleman’s Garden Centre, Templepatrick, Northern Ireland

Why the Old Railway Line Garden Centre is among the UK’s best

The Old Railway Line Garden Centre – located in Three Cocks, Brecon – has been named among the best in the UK by the Daily Mail.

The centre was set up by Mark and Christina Cleary on the old Brecon to Hereford Branch of the Midland Railway back in 1990, the news outlet explains.

Horticulturist and celebrity gardener David Domoney later (in 2012) opened a major new redevelopment at the centre which included a farm shop and restaurant.

The “award-winning” Old Railway Line Garden Centre has now become a “top destination” for locals and visitors from across the country.

It has been well received by visitors, boasting a 4.5 (out of 5) rating on Tripadvisor from 468 reviews.

How the Old Railway Line Garden Centre scored

Plant selection – 9/10

The Daily Mail said: “The majority of plants are British grown in Wales or the Midlands and come with a five-year guarantee.”

Houseplant selection – 8/10 

“The dedicated houseplant department caters to novice and experienced indoor gardeners, with pots and accessories as well,” the news outlet continued.

Other items for sale – 8/10 

As for other items available at the Old Railway Line Garden Centre there’s “a good range of outdoor living, gifts, and homeware”.

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Coffee shop – 8/10

The Daily Mail added: “The Railway Restaurant serves a roast every Thursday and Sunday, while the dog-friendly tearoom offers light bites and afternoon tea.”

The Daily Mail concluded by giving the Old Railway Line Garden Centre an overall score of 8 out of 10.