I may be 30 going on 66 but I’m not bothered
My first visit was wonderful(Image: Christopher Megrath)
Spring has finally sprung, so the thought of tidying up your garden after the year’s gloomy start may be on the cards. After completely renovating my own garden late last year with new decking, paving and a dedicated flower bed, it was finally time to start decorating. And after countless suggestions to ditch B&Q’s garden centre for somewhere dedicated, I finally paid my first visit to Dobbies in Speke.
Dobbies isn’t exactly an unknown entity but it’s unlikely at the forefront of most people’s consciousness either. With Liverpool’s store as far removed from the city and even the nearest train station as possible, it’s more of a destination.
Despite the 20 minute walk from Hunts Cross station, past the retail park and through road works, the visit was well worth my grumpy complaining. People have described it to me as a “pensioner’s day out” but I was in heaven.
I assumed Dobbies would be more like a polished warehouse-style garden centre – an afterthought to make use of the outside space. I was a taken aback to discover it offered everything from fresh food and clothing to jewellery and home décor among the vast greenery.
Dobbies in Speke(Image: Christopher Megrath)
Overwhelmed with excitement to rummage through everything, I headed straight for the kitchen section before even letting myself look at the plants. If I weren’t trying to get in shape for summer, I’d have happily taken a seat in the café too. Right at the entrance were enormous cream-filled cakes, with the smell of hot food drifting through the space.
There were already a few people there not long after opening, so I can believe the food tastes as good as it looks. Best of all, kids can eat for just £1. I then spent longer than I should’ve admiring the garden furniture sets, knowing I wasn’t about to splash a few thousand during my visit. They were mentally placed in my garden regardless, so maybe someday I’ll return for them.
Heading out to the sprawling outdoor expanse, I was in my happy place. The emerging green thumbed gardener inside of me was flourishing. I must’ve spent 20 minutes wandering through the flowers, admiring the plant pots and picturing my dream garden. It was then I realised I made a huge mistake by coming on foot.
Dobbies in Speke(Image: Christopher Megrath)
I would need a car if I was to truly let loose and purchase what I wanted. The bill began to skyrocket in my mind but I didn’t care. I organised a return visit with my partner for the weekend to grab the hanging topiary, glazed pots (which were a steal for £30) and calla lily plants.
I swapped the sunny outdoor haven for the indoor displays of houseplants. These are my kryptonite, as my home already feels like the Amazon rainforest even on its worst day. Beyond the usual suspects like parlour palms and dracaena marginata catching my eye, I very nearly left with a hanging string-of-pearls that I’ve been wanting for ages.
In the end, the only thing I bought was a charming little panda plant pot as it was all I could realistically carry on my tedious journey back to the train station. I could easily have spent the whole day at Dobbies and I wouldn’t mind popping in again just for a bite to eat and a bit of window shopping.
God help my boyfriend’s wallet when we finally return with an empty car boot available.
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