Looking for relaxing garden centre day trips in the UK? Look no further. Garden centres make some of the greatest days out – a perfect combination of shopping, nature and café sweet treats (not forgetting, most let you take your canine companion along too!).
Whether you're a green-fingered enthusiast or just love tea and cake, you know you can’t beat a trip to the garden centre. Don’t fancy the drive? Book one of our coach day trips, sit back and enjoy!
Read on to discover our 10 favourite garden centres across the UK and get ready to plan your perfect day trip.
1. Wentworth Garden Centre
In the heart of South Yorkshire lies an independent garden centre. Through decades of renovation, the Airey family has worked tirelessly to transform this location into one of the largest garden centres in Yorkshire.
Wentworth Garden Centre offers a multitude of attractions - a family farm, shopping, eating and drinking, and of course, too many plants to count.
With something for everyone, Wentworth HAD to be included as one of our favourite UK garden centres.
2. Bents Garden Centre
Another family-run business, Bents Garden Centre in Warrington was founded by chairman Ron Bent’s parents in 1937, growing and selling roses in their community. Proud of their history and origin story, Bents Garden Centre has now involved its third generation in the running of the family business.
Although offering a range of shopping options, as well as dining, Bents is well and truly known for its events. Book yourself in for puppy play, babies that brunch, a children’s make your own pizza, and even an evening yoga class. Get in the Christmas spirit this year by coming to see the Bents Christmas displays!
Explore Bents Garden Centre with us.
3. Dean’s Garden Centre York
Mr & Mrs Dean founded Dean’s York Garden Centre in 1968, only serving local gardeners. Now owned by the Yorkshire Garden Centre group after 56 years of being a family-owned business, its aim is to deliver great experiences for the whole family, with an overall Tripadvisor rating of 4.1.
As well as having four retail departments, with experts available for on-the-go advice, here you’ll find The Bothy ¬– a delightful on-site café ready to welcome garden centre visitors with a selection of freshly cooked breakfasts, lunches, cakes and coffee. What more can you ask for?
Visit Dean’s York Garden Centre during our York Shopper coach trip!
4. Perrywood Garden Centre
This award-winning garden centre, with three branches in Essex and Suffolk, offers shopping, coffee shops and restaurants, as well as events – including learning how to cook using a variety of barbecues! With plant experts on hand around the store, customers describe staff as passionate, helpful and keen, with excellent choices for shopping.
Have a wander around, grab a coffee and cake, and take in the nature surrounding you. A nice, easy day out.
5. Cowell’s Garden Centre
Another independent, family-run garden centre, Cowell’s Garden Centre can be found just outside Newcastle-upon-Tyne. This hidden gem is dog-friendly, as well as being able to offer expert horticultural advice. You can even book in for workshops – including Autumn Planter, Hanging Basket, and even Christmas Wreath ones!
Book your private coach to visit Cowell’s Garden Centre!
6. Ottery St Mary Garden Centre
In the heart of East Devon, you’ll find Ottery St Mary Garden Centre. With information desks for expert advice, a coffee shop and a huge variety of departments to explore, you’re bound to enjoy a day wandering around. You can even book in for events, such as a garden masterclass with TV Gardener and Author, David Domoney!
It’s no wonder Ottery St Mary’s is one of the best garden centres in the UK. And if it’s on your list to visit, book private coach hire with us!
6. Fairways Garden Centre
With locations in Ashbourne, Macclesfield and Matlock, Fairways Garden Centre has been going for 30 years. Their passion for plants and products is clear – and what’s more, all three branches have cafés serving breakfast, lunch and even afternoon tea (as well as cakes and sweet treats, of course!).
Visit the Ashbourne location’s food hall to find a collection of cakes, biscuits, sweets, gift hampers and even a frozen food range.
7. Hillier Garden Centre
Located just outside the historic city of Winchester, this Hillier Garden Centre was the very first of its group to be opened. With a fabulous range of plants and homeware, as well as the Mulberry & Thyme coffee shop, a day trip here is a must. Browse the beautiful shrubs, flowers and seasonal plants on offer, and even seek advice from the centre’s plant experts!
Private coach hire is available to book your trip down to one of the best garden centres in Winchester.
8. Barton Grange
Enter Preston’s very own Barton Grange Centre – winner of the Garden Centre Association’s Garden Centre of the Year 2025! Safe to say that this had to be included in our list of the best garden centres in the UK.
As well as a range of departments to shop around, this garden centre is one of our favourites, with both the Farm Shop full of local produce and artisan foods, as well as The Cook Shop for all your kitchen bits and bobs!
Did we forget to mention that there is not one, but TWO dining options? The Riverside Café offers breakfast, brunch and lunch options, as well as coffee and a range of cakes. If you fancy something a bit different, maybe an afternoon tea or a Sunday lunch, head over to the Willows Restaurant. A perfect day trip if you ask us.
9. Bridgemere Garden Centre
Part of the Blue Diamond group, Bridgemere is one of the UK’s largest garden centres and attracts nearly 2 million visitors every year. You think other garden centres have variety? Try over 3,000 different types of plants. It really is a gardener’s dream.
Founded over 40 years ago, this location in Nantwich has the Parlour Restaurant for brunch, lunch, cakes and hot drinks, as well as a Garden Kitchen for baked goods and café-type vibes.
A relaxing day trip for sure. Book one of our private coaches and head there for a visit!
10. Simpsons Garden Centre
Showcasing an high quality range of plants and gardening products, Simpsons Garden Centre is a family run business in Inverness. Just on the outskirts of Inverness, Simpsons’ staff offer all-rounded plant knowledge for their customers.
Visit the Glasshouse Restaurant, offering a range of breakfasts and lunches with ingredients sourced locally, as well as freshly-baked goods and top-quality Scottish brewed coffee. Afternoon teas are also available to book, including unlimited tea and coffee.
Looking for other garden centre day trips by coach?
No need to stress. We do private coach hire too! Readily available to book, and with a driver included, UK day trips to the garden centre (or anywhere for that matter!) have never been easier.
Tell us where to pick your group up, sit back, and enjoy being driven in one of our comfy coaches. No need to think about driving, parking, or the rest.
Book your Bullocks private coach today for a day trip to the best garden centres in the UK.
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