The best garden centre cafes in and around Bournemouth

A charming and homely affair, regardless of your age or background, the simple garden centre cafe is a safe haven of tea, cake and jacket potatoes. 

Often taken for granted, garden centre cafes play host to some of our most cherished moments with loved ones and deserve to be celebrated. 

We've rounded up some of the best garden centre cafes that are most definitely worth a visit in and around Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole:

• Haskins, Ferndown

Haskins Garden Centre in Ferndown

Haskins in Ferndown is one of the first garden centres that springs to mind when thinking of a place to go and grab a bite to eat after looking around the plants. 

With a costa coffee and a full restaurant serving "amazing afternoon tea" according to one happy customer, what more could you ask for? 

One review on Google says: "Great cafe with top notch food and coffee."

Another said: "Enormous cafe which seems to do better than actually selling plants. Costa outlet for the drinks but I think the food is from their own kitchen and great cakes."

• Stewarts, Christchurch

Stewarts in Christchurch An institution when it comes to garden centres, family-run Stewarts is absolutely top tier and so is the cafe.

Everything is home cooked, baked and freshly prepared in the kitchen at the garden centre and all of the ingredients are as locally sourced as possible. 

From simple salads to heavenly cakes and hot meals, there's something for everyone. 

One happy customer said: "Service was good, young man on tea and coffee bar was excellent and very helpful. Til service was good too.

"The food was excellent, new cake 'lemon sensation' was really good! Cheesy scones - fabulous as usual. Well done Stewarts."

This article has been republished and previously said the cafe was closed until January 23, 2022. The cafe is open for business and this has now been removed from the article and we apologise for any confusion caused. 

• Setley Ridge, Brockenhurst

Setley Ridge

Established for more than 30-years this traditional garden centre has everything you could want and more in a stunning setting. 

The Daisy Tea Garden, on the site of the garden centre, gift shop and vineyard serves a range of items including a light lunch, lashings of tea, award-winning coffee and some of the (self-proclaimed) best cake in the New Forest. 

One cool customer said: "Pancakes for breakfast? Then come here. Actually I love the hipster breakfast. Avocado on toast, with tomato and a poached egg... perfect!"

Another said: "Amazing tearoom. Went for lunch yesterday. Delicious pulled pork ciabatta. Returned today for the brunch breakfast which was fantastic.

"Very friendly staff who are coping brilliantly with the virus regulations."

• Hillier aka John Browns, Three  Legged Cross

Hillier at Three Legged Cross

Home of the Mulberry and Thyme restaurant, customers can expect all of the customary favourites including breakfast, fish and chips and afternoon tea.

Currently undergoing redevelopment, Browns is being renovated and there may be a slight disruption to your visit. 

One customer said: "Wonderful garden centre with good stock and with an amazing cafe."

• Fairweather's, Beaulieu

Fairweather's

If you needed a reason to take a scenic drive through the New Forest then here it is. 

The wonderful Fair Weather's has everything you could desire and caters for all dietary requirements.  

One happy customer said: "A lovely cafe, on two separate occasions I had gluten free ham egg and chips, and a gluten free breakfast. Absolutely delighted with the meals and felt great to eat out as someone with a gluten intolerance."

Another said: "Steffs cafe was a lovely pit stop on our recent bike ride, huge selection of cakes it was difficult to choose!"

If you're favourite isn't on the list, let us know where it is and why it's the best in the comments below.