Green fingers, or not, you can’t beat a good garden centre.
Exotic plants, garden tools, cafes, pets, aquatics, furniture, birds, events… they’re like mini gardens of Eden and perfect whatever the weather.
We haven’t definitively proven it, but we’re pretty sure they serve the world’s greatest coffee and cake and are (usually) pet-friendly. We’re sold.
Gardening is no longer just a mild-mannered hobby. It’s been shown to reduce stress, increase physical health and improve mental wellbeing.
According to experts, we gardeners enjoy 4.2% lower stress levels.
And can you ever beat getting outdoors, soaking in the vitamin D and being present in nature?
With arguably some of the best garden centres right here on our doorstep, we’ve created a list of Canterbury’s finest.
The Best Garden Centres in Canterbury
In collaboration with the National Trust, Canterbury Chartham Garden Centre is a multi-award-winning treasure trove of greenery. Situated on the A28 just outside historic Canterbury, you can enjoy everything from Christmas experiences to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Fire pits, a gardening hub, restaurants, a patisserie, national trust collections… this blue diamond experience is everything you could wish for.
Canterbury Garden Centre boasts plenty to enjoy. Spacious, modern and with an exceptional team of staff, this garden centre goes back to 2009 and is renowned for a strong horticultural background, knowledge, and presentation. Their comprehensive range of garden and cane furniture is one the biggest in the southeast. Not sure how it will look in your garden? No problem. Their unique ‘try before you buy’ service breeds the ultimate convenience and peace of mind. A coffee shop, a restaurant, a children’s play area… Canterbury Garden Centre is an enjoyable day for all the family.
Meadow Grange Nursery offers an extensive covered and outside plant area with one of the largest ranges of trees, shrubs and herbaceous perennials, and summer and winter bedding plants in the area. Their fully stocked farm shop boasts fresh meat, cheese, bread, wines and beers. Book to enjoy their Santa experience in December and if you enjoy a real log fire, they just so happen to be independent firewood specialists.
According to a recent review, “5 stars just doesn’t do them justice.” The Gardeners Paradise at Badgers Hill Garden Centre and Landscaping has donkeys! Perhaps we should just stop there? Enjoy a little music? They run concerts during the summer months in their beautiful garden where the café service extends to a pop-up bar with ice creams. Delicious food is served all day and they stock everything your garden desires. Topsoil, plants, trees, palms, decorative ornaments, high-quality sheds and more.
Getting older doesn’t (always) have to mean doing less. And with plenty to enjoy on our green Canterbury coast, it doesn’t have to.
New friends, new plants, new hobbies and cake await!
And you absolutely might run into one of the team on their day off at that pop-up bar…
Pure Life Care is a trusted provider of in-home care services (and more) for the elderly across Canterbury, Whitstable, Herne Bay and Kent. As life delivers its twists and turns, it’s our pleasure and purpose to bring additional warmth, light, connection and care into every home and cherished member of our community.
It’s the professional care they need with the dignity they deserve.
If we can support you or a loved one in any way, please reach out to the team here.
