Here are five of the best Colchester garden centres to visit this Bank Holiday

AS the second May Bank Holiday approaches, as well as the official start of summer in June, garden centres are an excellent place to visit on your own or with friends and families.

Thankfully, Colchester, and its surrounding area, has several great garden centres to visit.

Here are the five garden centres in or near Colchester for you to visit this Bank Holiday.

Blenheim Garden Centre

Winners - Blenheim Garden Centre has been the Gazette’s Garden Centre of the Year Award winner in 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2019 (Image: Submitted)

The family run and independent business, Blenheim Garden Centre, has just been named the Gazette’s Garden Centre of the Year Award for the 5th year.

Many of the plants are grown in the nursery with there also being a five-year guarantee on all the plants with the receipt being the proof of purchase.

Tools, pots, and wild bird food have also been introduced in the garden centre which started in 1989.

Stanway Garden Centre

Pretty - The Stanway Garden Centre (Image: Stanway Garden Centre)

Located in London Road, Colchester, Stanway Garden Centre has an extensive plant selection suitable for both beginners and avid gardeners.

There is also a restaurant, where there are main meals, snacks, homemade treats and the popular pie of the day.

The restaurant closes 30 minutes before the garden centre, being wheelchair and dog friendly.

The Barn Garden Centre and Café, Stanway

Dining - Al fresco dining is available at The Barn Garden Centre and Cafe (Image: The Barn)

Al fresco dining is available at The Barn, located in Turkey Cock Lane, with the garden centre’s outdoor café area now being open.

The Lifestyle Store will also be open over the Bank Holiday with “thoughtfully-curated” homeware, textiles, books and giftware on offer.

Revamped in 2016, the family-run business now focuses on being family-friendly with “stylish gardenalia” and giftware also available to buy.

B&M Home Store with Garden Centre

Retail - The B&M Garden Centre is located in Turner Rise Retail Park (Image: B&M)

B&M, in Turner Rise Retail Park, offers “budget-friendly ranges” with the on-site garden centre stocking plants as well as pick-up tools and equipment.

The store is a short distance away from the Colchester North Railway Station and has plenty of parking in the Turner Rise Retail Park car park – meaning it is convenient for people in the city.

Mill Race Garden Centre

Brands - Mill Race Garden Centre says it has a large online presence and has fast delivery on big brands (Image: Horticulture World)

Mill Race Garden Centre has a huge range of BBQs, and associated accessories, as well as gardening and outdoor living items.

It is one of the largest garden centres in Essex and also has a large online presence – with fast delivery on big brands.

Clocks, wall hangings, outdoor heating and weather instruments are all available to purchase.