5 award-winning garden centres to visit in Norfolk

Here are five award-winning garden centres and nurseries to visit in Norfolk.

1. Peter Beales

Where: London Road, Attleborough, NR17 1AY

Peter Beales in Attleborough (Image: Angela Sharpe)Peter Beales Roses has been based in Attleborough for decades and was recently taken on by new owners.

The roses grown at the centre are internationally acclaimed and the company has won 28 gold medals at the Chelsea Flower Show over the years.

In 2019, the centre had a £750,000 development to create its Rosarium Restaurant with a modern kitchen and space for 80 people. 

2. Wymondham Garden Centre

Where: Tuttles Lane East, Wymondham, NR18 0EP

Wymondham Garden Centre owner Gary Groucott (Image: Mark Bullimore)Gary and Brenda Groucott and their family took over Wymondham Garden Centre in Tuttles Lane 20 years ago.

They sell plants, stoneware and other gift items and the Four Seasons cafe at the centre serves home-cooked food. 

The garden centre has won the Retailer of the Year at the South Norfolk Business Awards and is in the running to win the prize again in 2024. 

3. Woodgate Nursery 

Where: Cawston Road, Aylsham, NR11 6UH

Woodgate Nursery Garden Show in Aylsham (Image: Denise Bradley)Woodgate Nursery was established in 1982 by Peter Purdy who began by selling plants on the roadside. 

The centre has been referred to as 'Aylsham's best kept secret' and now sells more than 700 varieties of shrubs, plants, trees and more. 

Purdy's Tea Room opened in 2011 due to high customer demand and serves light lunches and coffees.

The nursery is also home to the Aylsham Roman Project archaeological site which has previously been named Business Community Supporter of the Year at the Broadland Community at Heart Awards.

4. Urban Jungle

Where: Ringland Lane, Old Costessey, NR8 5BG

The cacti tunnel at the Urban Jungle garden centre (Image: Denise Bradley)Urban Jungle has a Suffolk branch in Beccles as well as its original centre in Old Costessey, which opened in 2001. 

The business was named East Suffolk's 'Best Newcomer' in 2018 following its expansion.

It sells an impressive range of exotic indoor and outdoor plants and the nurseries are designed to be a "botanical wonderland". 

Its cafe serves breakfasts, sandwiches and seasonal dishes. 

5. Thetford Garden Centre

Where: Kilverstone, Thetford, IP24 2RL

The family behind Thetford Garden Centre, Jean Nixon and her daughter Lucy Nixon (Image: Sonya Duncan)Thetford Garden Centre was founded in 1982 and remains a family-run business decades on from its opening. 

Originally based in Lime Kiln Lane, the centre has since moved to Kilverstone.

The Lime Kiln Kitchen opened in 2017 following a major refurbishment and serves breakfasts, desserts, jacket potatoes and other light lunches. 

The kitchen has been named the country's Best Garden Centre Restaurant on several occaisions.