A garden centre can be a fun and affordable day trip out with children all day round, especially if they have a pet shop, aquarium, toy shop or a café. Some even have outdoor play areas or soft plays inside so you can enjoy a slice of cake and tea whilst they burn off some energy.
Here are our top garden centre recommendations in Essex and why they are worth a visit, not only this Christmas but all year round.
Here are our top garden centre recommendations in Essex and why they are worth a visit, not only this Christmas but all year round.
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| Garden Centres can be magical family fun at Christmas |
The Best Essex Garden Centres To Visit For Families This Christmas and All Year Round
1. White Elm Garden Centre (Chelmsford)
White Elm Garden Centre, White Elm Road, Danbury, Bicknacre, Chelmsford, CM3 4LROpening times: Monday to Saturday: 9:00am - 5:00pm, Sunday: 10:00am - 4:00pm
Why families love it:
- White Elm Garden Centre is much more than just a garden nursery. With a petting farm, soft play, tearoom and shopping village there is plenty to fill a whole day.
- The garden centre offers a wide range of plants, garden ornaments, and outdoor decorations, making it a great place for kids to explore.
- The petting farm and soft play is located on the same grounds as the garden centre, but you need to buy tickets to enter. It has over 100 animals, outdoor play areas, outdoor tractor track and indoor soft play area. Best suited to under 8s. Read our review here.
- The shopping village with over 20 independent small businesses including The Bug Hut which has a collection of invertebrates including scorpions, beetles, orchid mantis and even tarantulas, Finley’s Sweet Shop sells all your childhood favourite sweets and The Reptile Hut is a must visit for reptile keepers and enthusiasts and is home to leopard geckos, royal pythons and crested geckos.
- When you are ready to rest and recharge the tea rooms serve a range of freshly cooked family-friendly meals and snacks plus a selection of freshly baked cakes, pastries and desserts.
Keep an eye out on their social media for 'What's on' at White Elm. During December 2024 there will be Christmas fayre stalls popping up every weekend. There is also a Santa's grotto featuring a walk through experience with Santa’s elves, ending with a visit to Santa where children will receive a gift and have photos taken. Tickets are selling fast but if there are any left you can purchase them here.
2. Meadow Croft Garden Centre (Wickford)
Meadow Croft Garden Centre, Woodham Road, Battlesbridge, Wickford, SS11 7QUOpening times: Monday to Saturday: 9:00am - 5:00pm, Sunday: 10:00am - 4:00pm, although they have extended opening in the run up to Christmas
Why families love it:
- They regularly host character breakfasts which are charged from £15.00 per child, and normally includes a story, singing and dancing with breakfast and a drink. Find out more here.
- Meadow Croft Garden Centre is well known for its Christmas Market throughout December with approximately 30 stalls of gifts, decorations and seasonal treats inspired by the German Christmas markets.
- They have a small outdoor play area aimed at under 11's.
- There is a 9 course mini golf course that is £3 per person per round. Seasonal opening times, no need to book just pay at the main garden centre tills.
3. Craft Nurseries (Manningtree)
Craft Nurseries, 34 Harwich Road, Lawford, Manningtree, Essex. CO11 2LS.Opening times: Monday to Saturday: 9:00am - 5:00pm, Sunday: 10:00am - 4:00pm
Why families love it:
- This family run garden nursery has an outdoor play area for children to enjoy with a giant bouncy pillow, pygmy goats, rabbit, witches wood and mud kitchen.
- If the weather take a turn there is the Play Barn indoor soft play which has a smaller enclosed play area for babies/toddlers and a two-tier play frame aimed at older children up to 8. Tickets must be purchased for soft play entry.
- The Play Barn café offers a full hot and cold lunch menu, locally ground barista coffee and specialty teas.
- The Play Barn also hosts weekly music and arts and crafts classes which are bookable via their website.
4. Scott's of Southend (Southend)
Scott's of Southend, Sutton Road, Rochford, Essex SS4 1LQOpening times: Monday to Saturday: 9:00am - 5:00pm, Sunday: 10:00am - 4:00pm
Why families love it:
- Scott's of Southend hosts really popular season events throughout the year including their Pumpkin Patch and Breakfast with Santa
- The family friendly restaurant has a children's menu, high chairs, buggy park and baby changing.
- You can book for afternoon tea, including a children's option.
- It is dog friendly.
5. Summerhill Garden Centre (Billericay)
Summerhill Garden Centre, Pipps Hill Road North, A127 Arterial Road, Billericay, Essex CM11 2UJOpening times: Monday to Saturday: 9:00am - 5:00pm, Sunday: 10:00am - 4:30pm
Why families love it:
- It includes Maidenhead Aquatics which has a large selection of tropical and pond fish including ghost carp, mirror carp, goldfish, orfe and tench plus a raised indoor koi pond with a glass viewing window.
- Children (and adults) won't be able to resist the temptation of the traditional Pick n Mix with over 80 different sweets and chocolates. Fill a bag or choose one of their re-usable glass jars, available in 3 different sizes.
- Get in the festive spirit with their magical Christmas displays in December.
- Summerhill Garden Centre is dog friendly.
6. Altons Garden Centre (Wickford)
Altons Garden Centre, Arterial Road (A127), Wickford, Essex, SS12 9JGOpening times: Monday to Saturday: 9:00am-5:00pm, Sunday: 10:30am – 4:30pm
Why families love it:
- In the run up to Christmas there are Christmas decorations and gifts galore plus a grotto and a magical VR experience ride.
- Children will love looking at the festive miniature village display.
- The 'All Seasons' restaurant sell a range of hot and cold meals, snacks and drinks.
7. Stanway Garden Centre (Colchester)
342 London Road, Stanway, Colchester CO3 8LTOpening times: Monday to Saturday: 9:00am - 5:00pm, Sunday: 09:30am - 4:00pm
Why families love it:
- We particularly enjoy this garden nursery due to the soft play. It is rather compact and probably best for children under 6 years but the perfect size to be able to keep an eye on them from the restaurant.
- The Gardener's Retreat restaurant offers yummy main meals and homemade treats.
- There is a good sized The Works concession there which always has good offers on books, toys and crafting materials.
- They are dog friendly.
- They are offering Breakfast and afternoon tea with Santa or Mrs Claus during December. Check the availability here.
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| Can you get away without buying some decorations though? |
8. View Garden Centre (Wickford)
View Garden Centre, Old Chelmsford Road, Rayleigh, Wickford, Essex SS11 8SJOpening times: Monday to Saturday: 9:00am - 5:00pm, Sunday: 10:00am - 4:00pm
Why families love it:
- View Garden Centre is running a Christmas market with 30 stalls featuring gifts and treats, plus food stalls and live music and events which are free to attend throughout December. More details available here.
- There is a shopping village including a model railway and toy shop.
- The garden centre sells baby accessories and toys including brands such as Jellycat.
9. Thurrock Garden Centre (Thurrock)
South Road, South Ockendon, Essex, RM15 6DUOpening times: Monday to Saturday: 9:00am - 5:30pm, Sunday: 10:00am - 4:30pm
Why families love it:
- There is a little soft play designed for children under 5
- The garden centre restaurant (Woody's) serves home cooked, freshly baked food.
- Thurrock Garden Centre is offering breakfast with Mickey Mouse, breakfast with Santa and Santa's Grotto visits throughout December. More details on how to book can be found here.
10. Cherry Lane Riverside Garden Centre (Hockley)
Lower Road, Hockley, Essex, SS5 5LEOpening times: Monday to Saturday: 9:00am - 5:30pm, Sunday: 10:30am - 4:30pm
Why families love it:
- There are lovely Christmas displays including singing reindeer which are a hit with the kids.
- There is a large range of toys and gifts available for children to explore, as well as a home and food section for gifts for the grown ups.
- The café, the Garden Room Café, do a great slice of cake.
- This festive season they are offering breakfast or tea with Santa. After the meal, balloons and magic keep them entertained before story time with Santa, an individual meeting and a gift for each child. Breakfast or tea with Santa is £13.99 per child and £9.99 per adult.
- There is another branch in Braintree (A120/Coggeshall Road, Stisted, Braintree, Essex CM77 8AE) which is also hosting Christmas experiences.
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