Crocus at Dorney Court, Dorney

Crocus has got everything you need for summer living – outdoor furniture, fire pits, BBQs and lighting – not to forget plants, of course! And then there’s the café. It’s gorgeous with wooden floors, whitewashed beams, and plants hanging from the ceiling. The menu includes burgers, soups, sandwiches and more. The coffee is from a family-run roastery in Dorset and the beer is from the Rebellion Brewery in Marlow.

The Savill Garden Plant Centre, Windsor Great Park

Over in the gorgeous Savill Garden, there’s 35 acres of beautifully designed gardens, woodland and kaleidoscope seasonal displays to explore that were commissioned by King George V and opened to paying visitors in 1953. It’s botanical bliss. Once your wafting has wrapped up, head to the plant centre and gift shop, and flash the plastic. The Savill Garden Kitchen is pretty bloomin’ lovely, serving everything from hot lunches off a menu, afternoon tea, breakfasts, and roast dinners. Light bites, baps, salads, and cakes are also yours for the taking. Scrummy.

Stubbings Nursery, Maidenhead

You can happily while away a few hours at Stubbings Nursery and Café. With three acres of plants, shrubs and trees to choose from, there are experts on hand to advise what’s best for your garden. Then, grab a table inside the Glasshouse Café, which overlooks the lovely 18th-century Grade II listed walled garden. Or, if the weather allows, sit outside. There’s an all-day brunch menu including a full English breakfast and poached eggs with avocado or pop along for lunch and try the homemade soup and sourdough bruschetta. There are wine, beer or bubbles available too if you fancy it, plus an afternoon tea option. The nursery and café are open 7 days a week, 9am to 5pm.

Flowerland, Bourne End & Iver

flowerland bourne end cafes near cookham

Speaking of trendy garden centres, you’ll definitely want to schedule in a visit to Flowerland which sits within strutting distance of Cookham. They have over 70 years of experience in the gardening game, flogging everything from stylish homeware, indoor and outdoor plants, pet goodies, wellbeing items, outdoor furniture and gifts. The café? Straight up Insta candy. The team of in-house bakers craft delicious cakes, pastries, and savoury light bites fresh every day, right on-site. Add in a perfectly brewed coffee or a refreshing iced frappe and you’re in plant-shrouded nirvana.

Ashridge Manor Garden Centre, Wokingham

A corker of a fry up and cakes that will make you swoon. Pick up a plant or two at Ashridge Manor Garden Centre before retiring to award-winning The Farm Café. What it lacks in its simple and functional décor, it more than makes up for in its exceptional nosh. ‘Have it your way’ breakfasts, butties, eggs Benedict, Belgian waffles and their famous Dirty Midis (pictured) will keep you fuelled up – all at purse-friendly prices. Plus, a great kids menu and outdoor seating area too. Open from 10am daily, except Mondays.

Longacres Garden Centre, Bagshot

A smidge into Surrey, you’ll find this popular garden centre packed to the rafters with all your garden needs. It’s huge and a big hit with locals looking to up their green-fingered game. Naturally, you won’t be able to resist a pit stop in The Green House Café. It’s not long been refurbed and has a capacity of 400, both indoor and outdoor. Among the olive trees, tuck into a fantastic selection of fresh, homemade hot meals including breakfast, pizza, sandwiches, salads, cakes and drinks. There’s stuff for kids, gluten-free folk and vegans too.

Squires, Wokingham & Hare Hatch

Once part of a farm that sold fruit to supermarkets, today Squires Wokingham offers a range of plants, garden products, garden furniture, BBQs and gifts. There’s also a Food Hall selling local produce including fresh fruit and veg, cakes and biscuits, as well as local beers, wines and spirits. You can buy directly from the award-winning JL Butcher here and there’s an onsite bakery selling artisan breads, croissants, pastries, cakes, savoury pies and sausage rolls. Pull up a chair in the café and try some of the local treats on offer. Take the kids and they can check out the outdoor play area. There’s also Squires Hare Hatch in Twyford too.

Toad Hall, Henley

Garden machinery has its own little centre at Toad Hall, so if it’s a new garden toy you’re after for cutting/clipping/pruning/strimming, then the hall’s your place. On top of the machines, there’s a huge plant section including lots of trees and fruit bushes and a huge range of indoor plants. Make some time to say hello to the giant parrots in the pet food section – though you may need to warn little ones as the screech is ear-splitting. At least they won’t want to take one home. When done, break for Café Jessecco with its range of delicious cakes, savoury snacks, and drinkies.

Hillier Garden Centre, Aldermaston and Newbury

You can choose from a great selection of plants at Hillier Garden Centres in Aldermaston or Newbury, browse the shops and treat yourself at the lovely Mulberry & Thyme Restaurants. If you’re there in the morning, try The Great Hillier Breakfast or at lunchtime, choose from freshly made soups and sandwiches or the hot daily specials. For a sweet treat, there’s homemade cakes, scones and afternoon tea. No need to book unless you fancy the afternoon tea, which does require a little forward planning (with a minimum of 48 hour’s notice).

Henry Street Garden Centre, Arborfield

8 Berkshire garden centres with cool cafés Henry Street Garden Centre, Reading

Head to Henry Street, a family-owned independent garden centre for all things garden related – plants, tools and gifts. There’s a fab restaurant too which serves a range of breakfast/brunch options including the Head Gardener’s Breakfast (basically the full works!), Egg’s Florentine or Benedict and pancakes. There’s also jacket spuds, sandwiches, paninis and a great kids’ menu. But wait, there’s more. On a Sunday, save yourself considerable time and dodge the washing up by taking the family for a roast. Available between midday and 3pm, there’s a veggie option, plus two meats to choose from.

The Herb Farm, Sonning Common

The Herb Farm Sonning Berkshire garden centre with cafe near me

Family-run and independently owned, The Herb Farm sells a large collection of herbs and perennials, plus a fab gift shop and a coffee shop too. Four-legged friends are welcome on a lead and, if you’ve got the kids with you, check out the amazing Saxon Maze, designed by leading maze maker Adrian Fisher back in 1991 (the year of the maze don’t you know!). Fresh and locally sourced breakfast, brunch, lunch and afternoon tea are provided by Pierreponts.

11 Berkshire garden centres with cool cafés

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