As garden centres have been recognised by the government as essential retailers, we’re privileged to be able to continue serving you throughout the current lockdown.

This is a responsibility that we take very seriously, so we will be redoubling our efforts to keep both staff and customers safe at all times. Our spacious and airy garden centres are great for ventilation and social distancing, but we’ve also established a comprehensive set of measures to keep our team and visitors safe. These include:
• Reorganised routes to avoid congestion
• Hand sanitising points around the garden centres
• Two-metre markings to help guide social distancing
• Screens at tills
• Extra tills to reduce queuing

To play your part, we kindly request that you adhere to the following guidelines when you visit:
• Keep your distance from us and each other
• Sanitise your hands before entering and at regular intervals, as required
• Wear a mask at all times, unless you are exempt
• Pay by debit/credit card, wherever possible, using the contactless facility when you can
• Step back from the tills to give our team the distance to be able to scan your items safely

Gardening improved the physical and mental wellbeing of millions of people during the challenges of 2020. It can do so again, as there are lots of jobs to get going with at the start of the year, helping you to stay occupied and active throughout the lockdown.

It may be little cold outside, but now is a great time to lay the foundations for many happy months of gardening ahead. Green fingers can be put to work chitting seed potatoes or potting dahlias, pelargoniums and begonias, while tidying, composting and sprucing up the greenhouse will get you ahead of the game. Even for those without outdoor spaces, houseplants are proven to enhance healthy living, with scientific studies pointing to physical, emotional and psychological benefits.

For those who are still unable to visit, we can deliver free within 25 miles of any of our garden centres. You can place your garden centre or farm shop orders by telephone or via our brand new Online Store, which has plants, compost, bulbs, seeds, fertilisers and gifts all available now, with lots more to come.

Our three restaurants have of course been forced to close for the time being, but The Apple Tree Restaurant at Brimsmore Gardens and The Engine Room Restaurant at Poundbury Gardens will both be offering a takeaway service to keep you fuelled as you gather your supplies.

Our opening hours will be as follows:

Monday to Saturday
Garden centres: 9:00am – 6:00pm
The Apple Tree Farm Shop: 9:00am – 6:00pm
The Apple Tree Restaurant (TAKEAWAY ONLY): 9:00am – 4:00pm
The Engine Room Restaurant (TAKEAWAY ONLY): 9:00am – 5:00pm
The Walled Garden Restaurant: CLOSED

Sunday
Garden centres: 10:00am – 4:30pm
The Apple Tree Farm Shop: 10:00am – 4:30pm
The Apple Tree Restaurant: CLOSED
The Engine Room Restaurant (TAKEAWAY ONLY): 10:00am – 4:30pm
The Walled Garden Restaurant: CLOSED

We look forward to serving you throughout this challenging time and hope that you are able to find plenty of joy and fulfilment in your gardens.

Mike