It’s also used to grow plants and hanging baskets for local authorities
Inside Blaise Plant Nursery (May 2026)(Image: Paul Gillis/Reach Plc)
Among some of the most niche garden centre venues in the city is one with a heap of history, which not only has its own cafe, but also sits just a short walk or drive from a special historic Bristol landmark.
Blaise Plant Nursery sits just next to Blaise Castle Estate – and its history spans centuries.
The original Blaise Plant Nursery took the form of a walled garden which was attached to the Blaise Estate itself. This was where most of the fruit and vegetables for the house were grown from around 1800. The old nursery is now a community garden.
Fast forward to 1926 – 100 years ago at time of writing – and the Blaise Estate was bought by Bristol City Council and, in 1950, a plant nursery was created to grow a range of bedding plants, pot plants and hanging baskets.
Inside Blaise Plant Nursery (May 2026)(Image: Paul Gillis/Reach Plc)
In the 1990s, the Council received numerous contracts to supply plants to a number of other local authorities, leading to its move to a bigger 10-acre site just down the road. And, since then, the business grows more than 1.5 million plants in its glasshouses and polytunnels each year.
Plants grown here are used to supply Bristol City Council and other local authorities with their seasonal plants and hanging baskets, found in the likes of gardens and buildings, and during awards seasons – the Britain in Bloom awards being one of them.
Prior to 2017, the nursery would sell plants to the public for just a few days at the end of both the summer and autumn seasons. But, because of its popularity, the nursery decided to open its doors for longer. And now there’s a large shop selling plants and gardening products to customers throughout the year.
Inside Blaise Plant Nursery (May 2026)(Image: Paul Gillis/Reach Plc)
There’s also an onsite Community and Therapeutic Glasshouse – a 130-square-metre indoor venue available to be hired by community groups and individuals for everything from therapeutic sessions, workshops, meetings and gardening activities.
What’s more, following its rich history and ever growing popularity, the Blaise Plant Nursery now has its own onsite cafe, where shoppers and plant enthusiasts can take the weight off their feet and enjoy some refreshments.
The cafe is open Monday to Sunday, 9.30am to 4.30pm (information correct at time of writing) and the menu includes an array of barista made hot drinks, cold drinks, cakes, snacks, and even ice cream and ice lollies when the weather gets hot. At time of writing, some of the specific items on the menu include cranberry and pecan flapjack (£3), a coffee and handmade cake deal for £6.50, crisps and chocolate bars at around £1.80, and ice cream tubs at £3.75.
The cafe at Blaise Plant Nursery (May 2026)(Image: Paul Gillis/Reach Plc)
It even serves doggie ice cream for £4.50, while an Americano coffee will cost you just £3 and a tea £2.80. The cafe boasts indoor seating and onsite toilets and, while not dog friendly, does welcome guide dogs and other assistance dogs.
It’s part of the Bristol Park Cafes community which also partners with local suppliers from right here in the city and surrounding areas. Some of the local businesses include Clifton Coffee Roasters, Hobbs House Bakery, John Sheppard Butchers, The Jolly Hog, Lost and Grounded Brewers and Marshfield Ice Cream.
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