7 lovely local garden centre cafés to try

Pick up a slice of cake along with your compost and bedding plants at these bloomin’ brilliant garden centres where the cappuccinos look as good as the chrysanths.

Green Pastures Garden Centre, Bergh Apton

Plants on stands outside at Green Pastures Garden Centre

Tucked away in a quiet corner of South Norfolk, Green Pastures had been something of a secret until it scooped a clutch of top restaurant and garden centre awards and found itself firmly on the map. It has all your gardening must-haves, with horticulture pros happy to point you in the right direction, whether you’re after bedding plants, landscaping tools or just a bit of advice.

Afternoon Tea at Green Pastures Garden Centre, Norfolk

Fuel up for the day at the Gardeners Kitchen with the Head Gardeners full English brekkie or sautéed mushrooms and Parmesan on toast (there’s also light bite, lunch, Sunday roast and afternoon tea menus). Eat inside or dine amongst the plants on the wooden arbours or in the covered garden dining area. If you’re in a rush, grab dinner from its farm shop bursting with fresh produce, as well as tempting baked pies and quiches. If you’re there on a Friday, you’ll spot local fishmonger Alex outside, too.

Urban Jungle Plant Nursery and Café, Costessey

Bridge over indoor pond with koi at Urban Jungle Cafe in Norfolk

As you wander around Urban Jungle you’ll find yourself ducking under the exotic leafy plants and huge ferns which fill the impressive space. There’s a massive selection of house plants and pots, as well as trees, shrubs, bamboo, palms and ferns. The amazing indoor pond, in which whopping koi and sturgeon cruise around, makes it a particularly memorable day out for kids, who can peer in from the wooden bridges.

Wooden cafe table surrounded by leafy plants at Urban Jungle Cafe in Norfolk

When it’s time to rest your feet, grab a seat in the café, alongside the pond, which is set in a large greenhouse built almost entirely from reclaimed and recycled materials, and order a coffee with a slice of homemade cake or a warm cheese scone (all gluten-free), surrounded by lush foliage, houseplants, cacti and succulents, all for sale. We warn you – you might never want to leave. 

Thetford Garden CentreThetford

Wicker gardener in flowerbed in foreground with Thetford Garden Centre in backdrop

We’d be willing to bet you won’t leave empty-handed after a visit to Thetford Garden Centre – it’s massive, with everything you could ever need for the garden, from plants and perennials to barbecues, water fountains and garden furniture. It was first set up in 1982 and the friendly team seriously knows their stuff.

Lime Kiln Kitchen Cafe with black and white check floor and colourful seats

Its award-winning Lime Kiln Kitchen is a cut above your typical café, too. There’s loads of choice, including a separate breakfast menu, served before 11am, if you fancy full English, smashed avocado on toast or American pancakes. There’s also lunchtime faves, regular afternoon tea, cakes and a great kids menu, including a children’s picnic and junior American pancakes. We’re hungry just thinking about it! From end of April, Norfolk Pizza Co’s trucks rock up serving wood-fired sourdough pizzas and homemade waffles to takeaway or eat in the yurt amongst the plants.

Holt Garden Centre, Holt

Parasols at Holt Garden Centre

From fancy gifts to clothes, trailing house plants, ceramic pots and a food hall packed with local goodies, Holt Garden Centre has lots to tempt even the most amateur of gardeners. And there’s no need to push a heavy trolley around either – the centre has a ‘select and collect service’, which means if you’re buying something hefty you can just pick up a card and give it to the team, who will bring it out to a collection point. Easy peasy. 

When you’re done with all that shopping, pop into its Garden Terrace Café to sample its breakfasts, lunches (including local honey-glazed ham, egg and chips and a home-made salmon and leek fishcake with salsa verde), drinks, desserts, afternoon teas and Sunday roasts. It welcomes your four-legged family members and there’s a children’s playground to keep little ones busy. From its garden area you can take in the stunning views and even spot a steam train whizzing by.

Bawdeswell Garden Centre, Bawdeswell

Wooden bridge in Millennium Garden at Bawdeswell Garden Centre
Millennium Garden

First opened as a conifer nursery in 1983, Bawdeswell Garden Centre has grown into a thriving indie one-stop shop for families. Its Reeve’s Larder food hall stocks fresh meat, fish, cheese, baked treats and chutneys, while gifts, garden furniture, firepits, trees, shrubs and ornaments can all be found under one roof in the indoor shopping centre, meaning a spot of rain shouldn’t put you off going. There’s even a toy shop packed with puzzles, books and junior gardening tool sets! 

Outdoor seating with play equipment in backdrop at Bawdeswell Garden Centre

Tuck into a spot of breakfast or lunch at Reeve’s Parlour Restaurant (and make use of its free WiFi if you need to catch up some emails), which has plenty of space inside. Or, order from the Reeve’s takeaway counter to enjoy your food in its outdoor area, which overlooks the stunning Millennium Garden and Treetops Adventure Play Area. Older kids can explore the two tall treehouses, fireman’s pole, slide, giant swing and tree walks, while younger ones can take on the small treehouse with rope bridge, slide and sandpit. 

Moulton Nurseries Garden Centre, Acle

Plant stand with different grasses and horse statue at Moulton Nurseries in Norfolk

You’d be forgiven for not knowing Moulton Nurseries – it has stayed a pretty well-kept secret despite having been up and running in between Norwich and Great Yarmouth for over 50 years. The family-run garden centre has everything you need to make your garden shine, from fuchsias and geraniums to hardy shrubs and trees. You’re guaranteed a warm and hugely knowledgeable welcome here – the nurseries supply local hotels and spas, and previous Anglia and Britain in Bloom winners. 

Slice of cake on plate with tea being poured behind at Moulton Nurseries cafe

Its Greenhouse Coffee Shop menu has a bloomin’ good menu of hot drinks (we’re particularly tempted by the Italian hot chocolate), breakfasts, home-made cakes, quiches and pastries, jacket potatoes, luxury afternoon tea, toasted sandwiches and a daily specials menu. There’s a menu for youngsters, including a sandwich plate, which comes with crisps, raisins, mini chocolate bar and squash. 

Thaxters Garden Centre, Dersingham

The family-run garden centre has been up and running for 50 years, and is at home on the north west Norfolk coast, just a mile away from Sandringham. As well as stocking all things horticulture, including an impressive selection for bird-lovers, it has a fast-growing gifts range, with everything from books and jigsaws to amazing 3D models lining the shelves.

Inside cafe with fireplace at Thaxters Garden Centre

Its coffee shop is all about hearty, home-cooked food – cakes are homemade, sandwiches use bread from the local baker and the coffee is roasted just up the road. There’s tempting scones, breakfasts (including on-the-go brekkie muffins), popular homemade quiche (we’re having the gammon, cheddar and tomato, thanks) and specials, which can be eaten indoors or at picnic tables in its gorgeous gardens. 

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