FOR
Quality plants.
Interesting plants area layout.
Good cafe decor.
Good cafe food.
AVERAGE
Prices
AGAINST
Inadequate signs in the plants area.
This garden centre was originally called the Hazelfield Garden
Centre with the name being changed to the 3 Shires Garden Centre
when it was bought by the Blue Diamond Group in late 2007.
They have
made significant changes to the layout of the garden centre and more
importantly have aimed it at a an up-market clientele.
OUR OPINION OF 3 SHIRES GARDEN CENTRE
THE PLANTS AREA AT 3 SHIRES GARDEN CENTRE
Lots of careful thought has gone into the design of the
plants area, far more than most garden centres. Some might
even say it has an over-designed feel to it possibly with
looks triumphing over usefulness. One example of this is how
difficult it is to locate a specific plant. Signs showing
where plant groups are situated are sadly lacking and try as
we might, we could see no logic in where plants were.
The primary purpose of placing plants in particular
places appeared to be entirely for appearance.
The result is a very attractive plants area with small
stands and lots of colour co-ordination. The paths were
mainly solid paving with some compacted gravel and they were
mainly flat with a few gentle slopes. Access around the area
is easy and safe. The backbones of the design are a covered
area for seasonal plants and a large open area with a
U-shaped covered path.
One minor irritant is the piped music in the plants area. There is a larger than normal children's play area.
THE PLANTS
The plants were in good condition and the choice was large and
varied. Ornamental trees and conifers were particularly well
stocked.
Tomorite 1 litre was £3.49, 1 litre of Miracle Gro was £4.99,
potentillas start at £8.99
VIDEO OF 3 SHIRES GARDEN CENTRE
INSIDE 3 SHIRES GARDEN CENTRE
The interior is modern and well laid out and sells lots of gardening
goodies plus a large range of non-gardening items. They have a Farm
Shop which sells both packaged and fresh food. The garden and
conservatory furniture sales area stands out as excellent,
especially if you are interested in up-market furniture. Strangely
they stock a very large range of clothing at 3 Shires Garden Centre.
3 Shires have their own club card scheme (the Blue Diamond
Group scheme) with various benefits for their members. Details of
the club and a comparison with the clubs of other garden centres can
be found by clicking here. If you are thinking of visiting this garden
centre to make a purchase it may well be worth taking a look at
their discounts and rewards.
WHEELCHAIR ACCESS
Access for wheelchair users is good all round.
CAFE AT 3 SHIRES GARDEN CENTRE
There are two eating places at this garden centre, a carvery (which
we did not sample) and a cafe serving snack foods, coffees and teas.
This review refers only to the cafe.
This is a stand alone cafe with an interior seating area and a
conservatory seating area. The conservatory area is attractive
because it is light and open and looks onto a small lake on one side
of the plants area.
The inside cafe seating area is pleasantly designed and has chunky
solid wood seats and tables. We particularly liked the almost
Mediterranean style arches which separate the cafe into different
areas.
There were no queues when we had our meal and hot food is
served to your table with very little delay.
The quality of the food is good and it is well presented. The
mushrooms in our lite breakfast were covered in what appeared to be
fine grit so we left those after two mouthfuls confirmed the
finding! The rest of the food though was fine.
Jacket potatoes £3 to £6 depending on the filling, a lite breakfast
is £4.15 and a larger breakfast is £6, soup of the day with a bread
roll is £4, paninis are around the £5, salads £7 to £8, baguettes
are £5.50.
We rate different aspects of each garden centre and then give an overall rating. We
adjust the ratings for garden centre size and purpose. So for example a small nursery
which is average compared to other small nurseries will be awarded two and half stars. A
large garden centre which is average compared to other large garden centres will also be
awarded two and a half stars.
Note that the price ratings below is based on a limited range of sample prices.
3 SHIRES GARDEN CENTRE RATINGS
FACILITY BEING RATED
RATING
Plant quality
Outside area layout
Interior sales
Cafe food quality
Cafe decor and atmosphere
Prices
Overall rating
OTHER STUFF Car park - yes, flat and level and large enough
Pet Centre - We saw none
Aquatics - Yes managed by Aquajardin
Water Features - Yes, a very good choice
Sheds and Greenhouses - Yes
House Plants - Yes
Wheelchair Access - Easy access all round
Toilets - Yes
CONTACT DETAILS AND DIRECTIONS
3 Shires Garden Centre
Ledbury Road,
Newent,
Gloucestershire GL18 1DL
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We hope you have enjoyed and benefited from this independent review of
3 Shires
Garden Centre. Remember that it is our opinion and may be the result of one visit
only. If you are the owner of 3 Shires Garden Centre and want to discuss this review with us
then please contact us by going to our "contact us" page which can be found
here.