The UK’s oldest garden centre is home to a Christmas wonderland parents are raving about
GARDEN centres are one of the quaintest places to visit on a weekend, and the oldest one in the UK dates back 70 years.
But it isn’t all about plants and afternoon tea – as it even holds festivals and epic Christmas events.
Stewarts has three garden centres around the UK; Stewarts Christchurch, Stewarts Abbey in Fareham and Stewarts Broomhill in Wimborne which is its oldest.
The business‘s founder, Edward Stewart, was inspired to create the garden centre model after seeing them in America and is credited with bringing the concept to the UK.
The beginning of the business was in 1742 when the family began its plant nursery in Dundee.
It wasn’t until later on in 1859 that the family business moved down to Dorset.
Read More on Winter Holidays
Stewarts Broomhill, which is the oldest of the three sites, first opened in 1955.
It’s not just your basic plants; it sells outdoor garden furniture, homeware, gifts, gardening tools, grow your own materials, and the likes of bird baths and insect houses.
They hold seasonal events too, like the upcoming Santa’s Winter Wonderland, starting on Saturday, November 22.
Families can wander through the wintry scene, check out the elves’ workshops, and Rudolph’s stable.
For the very first time, after meeting Santa, kids can explore the secret toy store and pick out a gift.
There are photo opportunities too from taking a ride in a Christmas campervan, to becoming a gingerbread man, and and elf.
Tickets to meet Santa and his elves at the Broomhill Garden Centre are £19.50 for children between 7 months and 12 years old.
Tickets for babies (0-6 months old) and adults are £3.50 each.
Each garden centre is also offering Winter Wonderland tickets for SEN sessions which will have a calmer atmosphere.
On Tripadvisor, one parent wrote: “It’s always a pleasure to visit at any time of year but at Christmas the most amazing spectacular is on hand when Santa Claus arrives exciting the youngsters of our family.”
Another added: “We went to visit Father Christmas today. It was excellent for the whole family. The Grotto was beautiful, snow was brilliant and the lights were bright and pretty. My little girl loved it.”
At certain garden centres, events are held throughout the year too.
Stewarts Broomhill Garden Centre has held events like the Primrose Festival Nursery Open Day – which demonstrates how to grow Primroses – and you got a cream tea included.
Meanwhile, the Stewarts garden centre in Christchurch, Dorset, held its own Grill Fest over the summer holiday.
Over a weekend it held barbecue demonstrations – with plenty to eat of course, live music and expert tips on how to do alfresco cooking.
There are other expert talks on how to grow trees, rewild your garden, wildlife gardening and planting bulbs properly.
Here’s one garden centre which is one of the fanciest in England…
Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey spent her childhood at one of the biggest and fanciest garden centres in the UK…
It might not sound like the most thrilling destination for kids, but I spent my childhood exploring one of the UK’s fanciest garden centres.
Growing up in the Cotswolds, it meant my local one was the Burford Garden Centre.
It’s been open since 1975 and is still family-owned and run.
Across the 21,000sqm estate is more than just a garden centre (although that is also extremely extensive, selling everything from flowers to trees that cost as much as £7k).
There is also an on-site bookshop, as well as shops selling clothing, food and interiors, and even artwork. Expect some of the fancier brands, such as Barbour and Le Creuset on the shelves.
There are “Bulb Markets” to stock up on flowers in the spring time.
The onsite cafe and bakery is a must visit too.
The Glasshouse Cafe feels more like a chic European eatery, with wicker shades and palm trees.
Make sure to grab a giant scone – so delicious we even ordered a batch for my sister’s wedding. It even has events including stitching classes, rare book courses and fish mornings.
But my favourite time to visit is Christmas, as the exhibits are spectacular.
For more days out in the UK, check out the farm shop that’s the ‘Harrods of the North’ and is loved by Molly-Mae – with forest lodges and hot tubs.
Plus, check out the inside of the UK’s biggest garden centre with soft play, shopping village and its own tea room.
