Yew Tree Garden Centre

Sometimes when you’re traveling in another country, just getting down the road a few miles seems like such a big accomplishment. That’s how I feel anyway. 😉 

We picked up the rental car the other day around 10 and the only thing on our list was touring Highclere Castle and an afternoon tea time scheduled for 3pm. 

So we had plenty of time to explore the neighboring area before we headed to the castle.

Our first stop was the HRH farm shop. While we were there we checked our phones for anything else of interest and that’s when we spotted the Yew Tree Garden Centre on our map. So we went there.

Garden centers, you’d think they’d be pretty much the same in every country, right? WRONG. Ha! 

While it’s always fun to compare prices, it’s even more exciting to see what is popular in different countries. And then question WHY WE DON’T HAVE THAT!!

At first the Yew Tree Garden Centre seemed just like any other garden shop filled with indoor plants and seed packets and all manner of things.

But then we started to notice things like tables stacked high with soaps.

And cookies. The British are VERY serious about their tea time {God bless them!}. I am very serious about my tea time too so I can’t help but notice all the teas, cakes, biscuits and jam in practically every shop I’m in when I’m over here. I love it!

Yarn! In a garden shop. They must really know their clientele.

Now take a look at this. Willow trellises. Why don’t we have those?

About $26 USD. I’d pay that!

Jen thought this rocking garden bench was an absolute deal {and so did I}.

Olive trees. These were about $46 USD.

Japanese anemones. These are in bloom everywhere here right now. I keep seeing them in pink and white and every time I do I love them even more. I think I’ll have to plant some in my garden next year.

A rhubarb forcer. Have you ever used one before? 

One of our favorite things we spotted at the garden shop were these lap fencing panels. What a deal!

I have never seen these in the US before. Have you? At $49 USD a panel these seemed like a heck of a deal.

And then it happened. We had somehow wandered into the most magical section of all at the Yew Tree Garden Centre. The greenhouse section!!

There were greenhouses and outdoor living spaces and we were practically freaking out over each and every one.

This was our favorite one though. Pretty, practical and you just can’t beat the iron work on the top.

And if all those greenhouses were not enough, there was a lovely cafe waiting for us inside.

Real cake! Have I mentioned tea and cake is a big deal here?

I love the fact that pretty much everytime you order tea here, it comes in an actual tea pot, with teaspoons and milk and sugar and the whole 9 yards. It’s lovely.

And real chairs. Real honest to goodness chairs. Having tea in England is like visiting a friend. I LOVE IT! I almost forgot we were in a garden center. 

This is the way it should be!! 

~Mavis