If you want to find garden centres in the New Forest, then you’re in for a real treat! The New Forest has garden centres galore, and between them these offer some superb cafes and restaurants, great gift shops and of course a pleasing range of plants to take home.
Garden centres in Hampshire and East Dorset that are in or near the New Forest can be found in the Christchurch, Lymington, Ringwood, New Milton, Beaulieu and Brockenhurst areas. Between them they offer some slightly more unusual attractions, including a woodland walk, a kitchen garden and even an on-site winery.
Whether you want to stock your garden, pick up a gift or drop into a coffee shop, read on to find eight of the best New Forest garden centres.
8 of the Best Garden Centres in the New Forest
1. Stewarts Garden Centre
Best for everything but the kitchen sink
- Where: Lyndhurst Road, Christchurch BH23 4SA
- When: 9am to 6pm Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4.30pm Sunday
- Why: Top quality cafe, cards, gifts, plants, furniture & more
Stewarts in Christchurch is my local garden centre. The family business is said to be responsible for the first-ever plant nursery in the UK, though I believe it’s the Ferndown branch that was the original. Nevertheless, the Christchurch one is a local institution and popular meeting place.
If you need to refuel or pick up other shopping while visiting this New Forest garden centre, the fact that Stewarts is next to Sainsbury’s, a Shell petrol station and a branch of Lakeland is handy. There’s also a nice cafe at Stewarts with lots of indoor seating in a conservatory-style setting. It’s not cheap, but I did spot Ant Middleton – of SAS: Who Dares Wins and other TV shows – in there once. Which made it worthwhile 😉
I love popping into Stewarts for cards and gifts in particular: you can always pick up a last-minute present there. The plant selection is very good, though in some cases a little pricey. And the same can be said for the top quality BBQs, garden furniture and so on.
2. Setley Ridge Garden Centre
Best for local food and wine
- Where: Lymington Road, Brockenhurst SO42 7UF
- When: 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm Sunday
- Why: Nursery, farm shop & vineyard all in one place
Setley Ridge was formerly known as Hollybush Garden Centre, so it’s a name you may still occasionally come across. What’s more exciting about this one, though, is that it’s home to a New Forest vineyard. You can sample the wines and buy fresh produce at the farm shop here.
This is also a good place to pick up something more unusual for your garden, or to give as a gift. The selection typically includes outdoor mirrors, magic lanterns, one-off creatures and more.
At Setley Ridge the team is dedicated to helping you make the most of your outside space. They are passionate about plants, and can be found in their work area in the greenhouse on site. From quirky ornaments and furniture to Italain fruit trees, you can find it all here.
3. Redcliffe Garden Centre
Best for a New Forest tea room
- Where: Bashley Road, Bashley, New Milton BH25 5RY
- When: 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday, closed Sunday
- Why: The Potting Shed tea room plus a gift shop & garden centre
Redcliffe is very much an independent garden centre in the New Forest, and is family run. It can be found in Bashley village.
The on-site Potting Shed is a nice tearoom where you can savour local treats like Dorset apple cake served with clotted cream. You can even book a vintage tea party here, for a full afternoon tea and fine bone china.
Redcliffe also has a gift shop and of course the main garden centre on site. Whether you want to buy a present, stop for coffee and cake, pick up plants or browse a range of quirky ornaments, this Bashley Garden Centre is well worth a visit.
4. Fairweather’s Garden Centre
Best for a kitchen garden
- Where: High Street, Beaulieu, Brockenhurst SO42 7YB
- When: 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Sunday
- Why: Cafe, takeaway and kitchen garden on site
The pretty New Forest village of Beaulieu is home to Fairweather’s Garden Centre. This family run garden centre sells great garden plants, gifts, furniture accessories, and more.
Fairweather’s is also home to Steff’s Kitchen, which serves up breakfast, brunch and lunch seven days a week from 9am. There’s also a takeaway, Steff’s To Go, which offers snacks, sandwiches, smoothies, baked goods and even New Forest Whippy Ice Cream!
Ideal for both adults and kids is Patrick’s Patch, which grows flowers, fruit, vegetables and herbs. This shows children where their food comes from – and this fresh produce is also used at Steff’s Kitchen and Steff’s To Go.
5. Otter Nurseries
Best for well-priced plants
- Where: Otter Nurseries, Milford Road, Everton, Lymington SO41 0JD
- When: 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm Sunday
- Why: A good all-rounder with a lovely open layout
Otter Nurseries calls itself the gardener’s garden centre. All I know is that I got very excited indeed about visiting this local place once it re-opened after Covid, as it was my first non-supermarket outing in ages.
This Lymington garden centre is just as upmarket as any you’ll find in the New Forest, but I’ve found their plant prices are often more affordable than at other local places. Again there’s a nice cafe on site, and a reasonable choice of gifts and garden furniture.
Otter is one of the best garden centres in the New Forest area, and there’s something bright and open about the layout that really appeals to me.
6. MacPennys Nursery
Best for rare and exotic flora
- Where: 154 Burley Road, Bransgore, Christchurch BH23 8DB
- When: 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm Sunday
- Why: A 4-acre Woodland Walk & gardens, plus a coffee shop
The owners of MacPennys are very clear on the fact that this is a nursery rather than a garden centre. It’s located a little out of the way in Bransgore, near Christchurch, but once you’ve visited you could carry on up and over the hill to beautiful Burley. It’s a long and steep slope, incidentally – one I reserve for when I’m using my eBike!
Once you reach MacPennys you can reward yourself with a Woodland Walk. The four acre woodland and gardens is lovely to stroll through, and also doubles up as a living catalogue for the nursery’s range of plants.
For unusual and exotic plants, MacPennys is the go-to New Forest and Christchurch garden centre. The helpful staff can also advise regarding your chances of actually getting these to grow in your own garden.
7. In-Excess Garden Centre
Best for a bargain buy
- Where: Forest Corner, Poulner Hill, Ringwood BH24 3HW
- When: 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm Sunday
- Why: A local chain specialising in cheap excess stock
As well as being the name of my favourite band ever, In-Excess is a local company renowned for bargain buys. They have stores dotted throughout the New Forest area, including my local one in Christchurch.
The In-Excess Garden Centre in Ringwood expands on the theme, selling plants, garden gear and much more. Plenty of pots, ornaments and so on are stocked here. All at very purse or pocket pleasing prices!
The shop is dog friendly, yet there’s a viewing area where you can see the resident alpacas and goats. Kids will also love the dinosaur figures here that they can take a selfie with.
8. Everton Nurseries
Best for an eco-conscious ethos
- Where: Christchurch Road, Everton, Lymington SO41 0BF
- When: 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm Sunday
- Why: Local, environment-friendly garden centre and cafe
Everton Nurseries is located in the small village of the same name, between Lymington and New Milton. This local business is ideal for a coffee shop stop, plants, garden furniture and tools, BBQs and more.
Camellias Restaurant can be found here, and this is open until 4.30pm daily for breakfast, lunch, snacks and afternoon or cream teas. Everything sold here is freshly prepared daily, and locally sourced produce is used throughout the menu.
Everton is a very eco-conscious garden centre, and everything that can be is recycled or upcycled. Pots are made from recycled materials, and electric ‘floats’ are used as vehicles. The use of peat and weedkiller is also restricted here.
Which New Forest Garden Centres Will You Visit?
Garden centres in Dorset and Hampshire have so much to offer. As well as plants, garden furniture, cafes and a great choice of gifts, you can stroll through the woodland, explore the veggie patch or even sample local wines at these lovely places. Which one will you be visiting first?
While you’re here, why not find all the best shops in Lymington, the finest farm shops in the New Forest, discover the top camping bowls and plates or browse the best picnic rucksacks?
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