CHOOSE GARDEN CENTRES BY COUNTY BELOW
PLANTS AREA: Restricted mainly to African exotic plants.
See lower down this article for a more comprehensive review of the Akamba Heritage Centre plants area.
Plants Area Rating: 
INTERIOR SALES AREA: Only a selection of African art and craft items.
See lower down this article for a more comprehensive review of the Akamba Heritage Centre interior sales area.
Interior Sales Area Rating:
CAFE: During the day time hours the cafe is very interesting but aimed more at the evening trade
See lower down this article for a more comprehensive review of the Akamba Heritage Centre cafe.
Cafe Rating: 
DOG FRIENDLY? Yes, they do not appear to have any restrictions as far as dogs are concerned.
VALUE FOR MONEY OVERALL:
Entrance to Akamba Heritage Centre
OPENING HOURS AKAMBA HERITAGE CENTRE |
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| Open | Close | |
| Monday | 10.00am | 6.00pm |
| Tuesday | 10.00am | 6.00pm |
| Wednesday | 10.00am | 6.00pm |
| Thursday | 10.00am | 6.00pm |
| Friday | 10.00am | 6.00pm |
| Saturday | 10.00am | 6.00pm |
| Sunday | 10.00am | 6.00pm |
They are also open later in the evening for events which need to be pre-booked.
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Notcutts Solihull
Earlswood Garden Centre
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Melbicks
Garden Centre
Hillier Hampton in
Arden Garden Centre
What is the Akamba Heritage Centre? Firstly, they refer to themselves by the name Akamba Heritage Centre, also they refer to themselves on their website also as the Akamba Heritage and Garden Centre or the Akamba Garden Centre.
This is indicative of how they have changed their emphasis over the past 20 years or so. Originally they mainly focused on exotic plants but this has slowly changed to also selling metal sculptures and providing entertainment centered around African culture.
Definitely now, they are not a garden centre. Yes they do sell plants at their Heritage Centre but fewer than previously. As far as plants go however, they still stock one of the widest ranges of exotic plants in the UK.
What does "Akamba" refer to? Akamba people live in an area of Kenya and have a culture and language of their own. They survive principally on agriculture and are well known for their wood carvings.
SIZE: The main cafe is medium sized and they have several other eating areas which are principally only open for pre-booked evening events.
FOOD TYPE: They serve breakfasts, snacks and main meals. Coffee, tea and cakes are also available. The food style is English and Caribbean depending on the dish you choose.
We visited on a Tuesday lunch time during school half term and there were very few people eating food there. Two tables in the main restaurant and a couple outside were the only ones occupied. All the people were having snack cakes and coffees / teas. Alcoholic drinks are served.
FOOD QUALITY: We didn't have any food. The cafe don't really seem set up to offer much during the day, certainly they were not enthusiastic about providing the menu.
DECOR:
The main cafe area is dark and more suited to evening dining. It is exotically
decorated with very subdued lighting.
Main Akamba cafe area
OUTDOOR SEATING:
The tables and chairs outside are not particularly clean but the outside area is
pleasant.
SERVICE: The online service via your mobile was not working when we visited during the day.
SIZE OF PLANTS AREA: Small to medium.
PLANT SELECTION: 
If you are looking for exotic plants, the selection is wide. Not all the plants
sold are in good condition.
LAYOUT:
The layout is very unusual, with rambling and winding paths.
VALUE FOR MONEY:
Hard to determine the value for money because many of the plants are not
commonly found in other garden centres.
SIZE: Very small.
Gift Shop
LAYOUT:
They sell mainly items made in Africa and these are laid out on shelving. Many
of the items for sale appear to have been there for a very long time.
ACCESS:
Not
good. Many surfaces are unsuitable for wheelchair users and the paths are narrow
in places.
ADDRESS:
Akamba Heritage and Garden Centre
Tythe Barn Lane
Shirley
Solihull
B90 1PH
OWNER:
Privately owned
TELEPHONE NUMBER:
0121 733 3111
EMAIL:
sales@akamba.co.uk
WEBSITE:
https://www.akamba.co.uk/
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