Gloucestershire Garden Centres

My Review of Ten Gloucestershire Garden Centres

There’s something about visiting Gloucestershire garden centres that feels like a day out rather than just a shopping trip. Whether you’re hunting for a show-stopping acer, a new trowel, or just a slice of cake in a cosy café, each garden centre or nursery has its own character. I decided to set myself a little mission to compare some of the garden centres in Gloucestershire. I brought my Labrador, Ruby, along with me to get her opinion and we concluded that – Spoiler alert – they’re all different!  There’s a little summary here of each one, so depending on what you’re after, or where you live there will be one of the many garden centres in Gloucestershire to suit you.

Best Garden Centre in Cheltenham – Dundry Nurseries

If you’re looking for the friendly faces and good value, Dundry is hard to beat. I started with this one because it gets great reviews on google. I can tell why.  It’s very much a “plants first” kind of place – you won’t find aisles of candles and cushions, but you will find healthy, well-priced plants and excellent advice from people who really know their stuff. It’s smaller than most of the others I visited and very busy, but there was ample space for parking on a Saturday morning. My dog, Ruby, (she’s going to get a  few mentions sooo sorry) loved this place for the friendly welcome, and the cafe is called “Ruby’s,” and, they allow dogs. Of course, she was going  to give this place a 5* review.

Best Garden Centre in Gloucester – Highfield Garden World

Now, if Dundry is a no-nonsense plant lover’s paradise, Highfield is the opposite: this is a full-on day out. It’s absolutely huge – probably the largest garden centre near Gloucester – and has everything from houseplants to furniture to a very tempting food hall. If you’re the sort who “just pops in for compost” and comes out with a boot full of new garden furniture, this is your place. Ruby voted this one the best – we came out with a boot full of dog treats!

Greenway Nurseries in Shurdington, Cheltenham

Very near Dundry garden centre is Greenway Nurseries. At first glance I thought it was closed, but the entrance is just off the main road. This one also gets good google reviews. In-spite of its slightly shabby appearance (it’s the opposite of a destination centre) it has a good selection of good quality stock. I found this one to be one of the best value for plants. The quality is high and the prices reasonable. Clearly this place is run by people who care for the plants. If that’s what you’re after this nursery is perfect.

Dawn Nursery -Cheltenham

I’m not sure why there are two nurseries almost next door to each other in Shurdington, but there you are. This one has a ‘down to earth’ feel about it (sorry for the pun) and the prices are reasonable. It scores less well on google reviews but Ruby and I were made to feel welcome and I like nurseries that are all about plants with just a few sundries and no frills.

Webbs Garden Centre – Cheltenham

If you’re looking for inspiration, friendly advice, and a proper day out, Webbs Garden Centre will deliver. Whether you’re after a few new plants for your borders, a stylish garden pot, or just an excuse for a slice of cake in the café, Webbs manages to make garden shopping feel relaxing rather than rushed. It’s beautifully laid out. The plant area feels like a curated garden in itself – everything grouped by colour, texture and form, so it’s easy to imagine how it might look in your own space. Their range of shrubs and perennials is particularly good, and I managed find a few unusual varieties.

I liked the idea of the gardening club, they aren’t unique in this of course, but I guess it would help with saving a bit of money. Because that is the downside. They guarantee their plants for five years, but Webbs is pricier than some of the others I visited. Inside, there’s plenty of inspiration for garden living – outdoor furniture, decorative pots, and those little extras that help a space feel finished. Home to Malvern Garden Buildings, the visit gave me lots of ideas and itching to get back out into the garden.

Gotherington Garden Centre – Cheltenham

Tucked just outside Cheltenham, Gotherington Garden Centre is one of those hidden gems that locals love to keep to themselves. It’s smaller than some of the big names like Highfield or Webbs, but what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in personality and plant quality, hence it’s 4.8* rating on google at the time of writing. I liked the feel of this place, it’s very organised. No endless aisles of giftware here – it’s all about the plants. The displays are beautifully cared for, with everything clearly labelled. It looked particularly good for  seasonal bedding and hanging baskets, and they’ve also got a good little selection of pots and compost – so you can grab everything you need for a quick planting project. Prices are reasonable and there’s a small café on site. If you prefer a quieter, more traditional garden centre experience where the focus is firmly on healthy plants and friendly faces, Gotherington is definitely worth adding to your Gloucestershire garden centres tour an old fashioned garden centre….lovely!

Dobbies Garden Centre – Tewksbury

If you like your garden centres with a bit of everything – from statement houseplants to a hearty lunch spot, Dobbies Garden Centre in Tewkesbury is one to put on your list. It’s one of the larger centres in the area and feels more like a mini lifestyle destination than just a place to buy plants. It’s just off the motorway junction for easy access and there were plenty of coaches in the spacious car park. That might be a clue indicating the more typical visitor to this of the Gloucestershire garden centres.

The outdoor plant area is spacious and well organised, with a solid range of trees, shrubs, perennials, and bedding plants. Everything looks fresh and well cared for, and there’s usually a few new varieties on display for those of us who can’t resist trying something different each season. I liked the ideas board that appears to be regularly updated, great for people who are looking for inspiration in their garden.

Indoors, Dobbies leans into home and garden living – think stylish pots, furniture, gifts, and an impressive houseplant section that always tempts me into buying “just one more fern.”

The café is a highlight too – bright, airy, it looks ideal for meeting friends or taking a well-earned break after a plant haul. It was very, very busy so although I didn’t try it (there’s only so much cake I can eat in a day) I took that as a good sign.

While Dobbies is part of a larger chain, the Tewkesbury branch manages to keep that friendly local feel. However, Ruby and I weren’t impressed with the fake grass in the garden buildings and hot tubs section. Why couldn’t they use real grass, flower beds or even container displays which is much better for the environment?

Tewkesbury Garden Centre

Tewkesbury might be best known for its beautiful abbey and riverside walks, but tucked just outside town you’ll find another little local treasure — Tewkesbury Garden Centre. It’s one of those welcoming, independent spots that reminds you what garden centres used to be about: friendly advice and reasonably priced plants.

What I loved most about Tewkesbury Garden Centre was the relaxed feel to the place. The plant area is fairly well stocked with everything from seasonal bedding to fruit trees and hardy perennials. The layout makes it easy to wander and plan your next project — whether that’s a new border, a vegetable patch, or just a few pots to brighten the patio. I found it to be friendly, local, and full of inspiration — exactly the kind of independent business that makes gardening in Gloucestershire such a pleasure.

Fosseway Garden Centre

If you’re looking for a garden centre that combines inspiration, quality, and a bit of Cotswold charm, Fosseway Garden Centre is one of those places that won’t disappoint. Just outside Moreton-in-Marsh, the views from the car park (which is spacious) are lovely. At the entrance Ruby and I were greeted with a friendly welcome and during the vist I was asked by several staff if I needed help. That’s great service for me. The plant area is beautifully laid out, with a wide range of healthy perennials, trees, and shrubs – all clearly labelled and well cared for, there were two staff looking after the plants. To be fair this is reflected in the prices, this is not a place for bargain hunters but the plant selections don’t feels generic. There’s a thoughtful mix of the practical and the pretty, and you can tell everything is chosen by people who really know gardens.

Inside, there’s plenty more to explore: stylish pots, outdoor furniture, and home décor that blends perfectly with a natural, Cotswold aesthetic. On my exploration of the Gloucestershire garden centres, Ruby and I enjoyed this one the best and it’s just an 11 minute drive to the famous Batsford Arboretum from there, which was our next destination!

Batsford Arboretum Garden Centre

If there’s one place in Gloucestershire that perfectly blends nature, design, and inspiration, it’s Batsford Arboretum Garden Centre. Nestled beside the beautiful Batsford Arboretum near Moreton-in-Marsh, this garden centre’s aim isn’t a spot to buy plants – it’s a place to reconnect with the very essence of gardening. Against a backdrop of towering trees and sweeping landscapes, the setting is unbeatable, but, of all the Gloucestershire garden centres, this was the most disappointing. The selection of seasonal plants is limited to say the least. I didn’t get the impression that selling plants was the purpose. Batsford Arboretum is one of my favourite places to visit, read my blog here for more information about the wonderful seasonal interest at Batsford.  It seems to me that after visitors have wandered around the grounds at Batsford, there could be an opportunity for the garden centre to sell specific varieties, as seen in the gardens. But I found it to be totally uninspiring. The Japanese maple section was drab, at a time of year when acers  put on their best autumnal display. I may be being a bit unfair and not understanding the intention of this garden centre but I can’t help but feel it’s a lost opportunity for something really special.

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