Turning tips into memories

The best garden centres in London

By CW Contributor on 10/4/2021

Looking for your nearest garden centre to bulk-buy your plants? Or are you suddenly feeling the urge to turn that sulky overgrown patch in your back garden into an urban oasis?
Whether you want to spruce up your windowsills with succulent trays, create a blooming balcony or install a full-fronded paradise, here's our pick of the best London garden centres where you can pick up all the tools, trees, and advice that you need.
All garden centres listen remain open, but their indoor cafés and restaurants will be closed until 17 May.

N1 Garden Centre, Islington

Space is in short supply in our beloved but crowded city, which often leads to symptoms of concrete overload. N1 Garden Centre strives to help Londoners incorporate greenery into their lifestyles. This green emporium has a wide selection of indoor and outdoor plants and a large part of their offering is their expert horticulture knowledge. N1 also takes the brunt of the heavy lifting with its plant installation service, good news for those who like to reap the rewards without breaking a sweat.

WHERE

25a Englefield Road, Islington, London N1 4EU

The Boma Garden Centre, Kentish Town

Boma is a beautiful, blooming garden centre with no shortage of colour. If you’ve never had a plant personal shopper before, then let Boma introduce you to its many perks. They also offer regular garden maintenance or one-off sprucing services. Check their online Boma Blog for news about their seasonal stocks.

WHERE

51-53 Islip Street, Kentish Town, London NW5 2DL

Alexandra Nurseries, Penge

Sustainable gardening is a big focus at this Penge garden centre. Alexandra Nurseries aims to promote a low-impact lifestyle by supporting local growers and never stocking quantities en mass. So if you want your herbs from Surrey, your perennials from Sussex or adorable homewares created by local craftspeople, this is the place to go.

WHERE

Estate House, Parish Lane, Penge, London SE20 7LJ

The Palace Gardener, Fulham

This southwest gem fulfils all your practical gardening needs by stocking everything from beguiling terrariums to lilliputian shrubs. If shopping starts to take its toll, take a seat in the centre's bright and spacious Glasshouse Café run by the Massarella family, who serve up homemade focaccias and healthy salads.

WHERE

Bishop's Avenue, Fulham, London SW6 6EE

Clifton Nurseries, Maida Vale

Clifton Nurseries is not only home to London's oldest garden centre – having supplied plants to Victorian nature-lovers in the 19th century – but within this lush enclosure wedged between two townhouses, you'll also find the Quince Tree Café and the Palm House, a glasshouse filled with exotic orchids.

WHERE

5a Clifton Villas, Little Venice, London W9 2PH

Rassels of Kensington

The sense of discovery is palpable when you pass Rassels' pot-filled interior through to the store's outdoor garden in a stunning Georgian square. Servicing the prosperous plant-lovers of Kensington since 1897, Rassels is now a picturesque heritage spot which caters to modern plant needs.

WHERE

78-80 Earls Court Road, Kensington, London W8 6EQ

Alleyn Park Garden Centre, West Dulwich

This London gem is giving rural garden centres a run for their money. Alleyn Park Garden Centre has made a name for itself as one of Britain's finest garden centres. It's stocked to the rafters with fruit trees, vegetable plants, and herbaceous perennials as well as handy tools, adorable bird-feeders and elegant firebowls.

WHERE

77 Park Hall Road, West Dulwich, London SE21 8ES

Camden Garden Centre

Community life is the heart and soul of this garden centre. It was originally founded to tackle the problem of youth unemployment in the area and it now also employs homeless people, ex-offenders and recovering addicts. This inspiring social enterprise also caters to all your gardening needs, from gorgeous outdoor furniture, to a plethora of pots from around the world and a cosy café upstairs.

WHERE

2 Barker Drive, Camden, London NW1 0JW

Battersea Flower Station

If you take a peek behind a florist stand on Battersea Park Road, you’ll discover a quaint pathway lined with fresh blooms and bunting. This space is oozing with charm, with a starry constellation of fairy lights, rusty wheelbarrows, and a wooden sign advertising ‘free garden advice’ to the less-green-fingered of us – all making you momentarily forget that you’re in the city.

WHERE

16 Winders Road, Battersea, London SW11 3HE

Petersham Nurseries, Richmond

Petersham Nurseries has led the way in creating a tranquil 'third place' and offering an experiential alternative to traditional garden centres. We love its natural gravel floor, its cornucopia of artisanal homewares and picturesque vistas of Richmond’s meadows. It’s also home to a cosy indoor café and a Michelin-starred restaurant, making it a destinations for foodies and plant aficionados alike.

WHERE

Church Lane, off Petersham Road, Richmond TW10 7AB

Wheelers Garden Centre Chiswick

This Chiswick florist not only creates opulent bouquets for every occasion, but also doubles up as a gloriously verdant garden centre packed with an impressive selection of plants, trees, bulbs and climbers and gorgeous vintage-looking ornaments to help you achieve that magical 'secret garden' effect.

WHERE

Cato's Yard, Turnham Green Terrace, Chiswick, London W4 1LR