Garden Centres offer more than just bedding plants and bags of compost – these days they’re serving up cream teas, cooked breakfasts, even a la carte meals.
Some have become destinations for diners in their own right and can be a haven for busy gardeners.
Whether you stay for a coffee and cake, a sandwich or a full meal, there's plenty of choice in and around Huddersfield — here are five for you to try.
Wyevale Pennine Garden Centre
Huddersfield Road, Shelley
With a large cafe, offering splendid views over the Pennine landscape, this garden centre restaurant is a popular spot with all ages. Like many garden centres, it now has as many gifts and household bric a brac as well as plants, but the cafe has a good range of hot and cold food and is usually busy. Open 9am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and 10.30am until 4.30pm on Sundays.
Colne Valley Garden Centre
Scar Lane, Golcar
Now the largest independent garden centre in the area, it boasts a cafe, children’s play area and selection of pet animals. The cafe’s reasonably-priced menu includes a small full breakfast for £3 and afternoon tea for two for £12. It’s open from 9am until 4pm Monday to Saturday and from 10.30am until 3.30pm on Sundays.
Totties
Downshutts Lane, Totties, Holmfirth
The Olive Tree Bistro Cafe at the garden centre has fabulous views and a wide range of food drinks, including Sunday lunch from £9.95 for adults and a special children’s menu. It is known for its gluten-free options that include cakes and battered fish and chips. Open from 9am until 4pm Monday to Friday and 10.30am until 3.30pm on Sundays.
Birchencliffe Garden Centre
Birchencliffe
Another former Armitage garden centre now part of the Wyevale group (with Pennine Garden Centre). Usually busy cafe in a convenient location, but with views over the car park rather than the countryside. Open 9am until 6pm Monday to Saturday and 10.30am until 4.30pm on Sundays.
Newbank Garden Centre
Stainland Road, Greetland
Now recovered from the winter’s floods, the low-lying garden centre with small cafe attached is open for business.
The cafe is mainly a tea, cake and snack place but has some outdoor seating for good days – although diners will have shoppers trundling past with trolleys full of plants and compost. Open 9.30am until 5.30pm Monday to Saturday, and 10.30am until 4.30pm on Sundays.
