The ‘gem’ of a North Yorkshire garden centre that's a must‑visit for lunch in spring

There’s a “gem” of a garden centre in North Yorkshire that is the perfect place for lunch and a catch-up with friends this spring and summer.

Thirsk Garden Centre, located just a 40-minute drive from York, and which has its own coffee shop (known for its scones), is said to have “everything you might need for your garden”.

With a vast assortment of indoor and outdoor plants, the garden centre shares that sustainable gardening “is a matter of the heart for us”.

Its website continues: “Here at Thirsk Garden Centre you’ll find everything your heart desires to turn your garden and home in to that piece of paradise you deserve”.

Just some of the house plants you can expect to come across at Thirsk Garden Centre include foliage (aphelandra, chamaedorea, spathiphyllum) and flowering (anthurium, African violets, kalanchoe).

Not to mention varieties of cacti and succulents such as aloes, euphorbias, echeveria, crassula and prickly pears.

When it comes to plants for your outdoor areas, the garden centre offers a “wide selection” that is all “high quality”.

From alpines, bedding plants, climbers and ferns, as well as herbaceous perennials, fruit and veg plants, there is plenty to choose from to create your outside sanctuary, whatever the season.

Trees, roses and herb plants are also available to buy from Thirsk Garden Centre.

North Yorkshire garden centre with coffee shop ‘well worth a visit’

But of course, what really takes a garden centre to the next level is its coffee shop, cafe or restaurant.

The coffee shop at Thirsk Garden Centre on Blakey Lane is where visitors can look forward to “deliciously made coffee, a temptingly tasty cake or a satisfying lunch”.

It adds: “With plenty of seating available across three delightfully decorated zones, you are sure to be comfortable and relaxed whilst you enjoy your choice from our menu.”

Menu items which are made with locally sourced products include full English breakfasts, jacket potatoes, soup of the day, sandwiches, toasted ciabattas, pizzas, pies, quiches and pastries (plus much more).

But what do customers think about Thirsk Garden Centre and Coffee Shop? On Tripadvisor, it has a “good” 3.8/5 rating based on more than 300 reviews – 137 of which are rated as “excellent”.

Meanwhile, on Google, it currently boasts a 4.3/5 rating from 1,209 reviews.

It’s been hailed “my go to place for a relaxed meal and friendly chatter” by one guest, while others said the garden centre is “well worth a visit”.

What plants are you hoping to find at North Yorkshire garden centres this spring and summer? (Image: Tripadvisor)

In a review, this person wrote: “First time here for a lunch.

“Had the cheese and onion Quiche, salad and chips £8.95.

“Fantastic, couldn’t fault it at all.

“Very busy but within 5 mins of placing our order we had our food.

“Quiche piping hot, loads of chips cooked to perfection and salad. We will be back again for a lunch.”

Another posted: “Thirsk Garden Centre is my go to place with friends.

“Good food and the service is spot on.

“The manager can be found talking to customers checking everything is okay.

“We never feel rushed and throughly enjoy ourselves.”

A third praised: “I had a lovely visit to the Coffee Shop today.

Best flowers to plant in spring

“The steak pie was delicious, the margherita pizza was fresh and tasty, and the cappuccino was perfect.

“I also want to mention Edie from the floor staff, she was incredibly friendly, helpful, and made the whole experience even better.

“Great food and fantastic service!”

Commenting on the garden centre itself, this profile said, “Well-stocked garden centre with everything you might want.”

Someone else chimed in: “Lovely selection of outdoor and house plants.