Coolings Green and Pleasant garden centre has had several owners over the years being independent as Whitelegg's Nursery until 1991 then being owned by Country Gardens and Wyevale Garden Centres in quick succession and then being bought by the cooling family business in 2004. At that time it was completely renewed in as eco-friendly manner as possible.

To understand the thrust of this garden centre it's necessary to know that its much older sister garden centre (Coolings Gardeners Garden Centre) is where you go if plants are your primary concern, they stock over 3 acres worth of plants and have a 4.5 acre nursery. However if you are more of a garden lifestyle person with plants a secondary aim then Coolings Green and Pleasant garden centre will be more to your taste. It's not a problem though if you want both because the two garden centres are only 1.4 miles apart.

The plants area is a modest size with a basic selection of plants most of which have been grown down the road at their plant nurseries. They are in excellent condition and hardy shrubs come with a five year guarantee.

Aside from plants they stock a very large choice of garden lifestyle stock including a large range of indoor, outdoor and conservatory furniture. Barbecues feature prominently with an excellent display and choice of mainly Weber barbecues. If gifts and cards are for you then the choice is as large and varied as you could ever want.

The aquatics centre is a separate business run by Weald Aquatics and they sell coldwater and tropical fish alongside an impressive display of all the accessories you need plus aquatic plants. If garden buildings, sheds, conservatories and the like interest you then Burtenshaw Garden Buildings provide lots of them in varying sizes to choose from. Hot tubs and a large range of paving, tiles and stone floors are also some of the other items on offer.

The building itself is attractive both inside and outside and built to conserve maximum energy. We particularly admire the internal wooden beams inside, so much more attractive compared to the bare metal beams found in even the most up-market garden centres.

At Christmas time the site turns into a winter wonderland which is quite rightly very popular with customers from miles around, well worth a visit form late October onwards. They have their own Santa for the kids and live reindeer to keep them amused.

The nature trail (£3 for adults, £1.50 for kids up to 12 and seniors) is well worth the cost on a sunny day. In the near future they plan to include a picnic area alongside the nature trail.

THE CAFE AT COOLINGS GREEN AND PLEASANT

The Blueberry Cafe at Coolings has the following opening hours:

Normal cafe opening hours 9.00am to 5.00pm
Breakfast hours 9.00am to 11.30pm
Lunch time food hours 12.00 to 3.30pm

Food consist of breakfasts in the morning with an "all you can eat" breakfast on Wednesdays (9.00 to 10.30 only) for £7.99. For those with large appetites and able to make breakfast the main meal of the day that might just be a bargain! Lunch time food includes a good choice of main meals (children's menu available) with a carvery on Wednesdays. At other times they serve snack meals, cakes, teas and coffees.

The cafe interior is light and pleasantly furnished.

Other garden centres nearby in the Kent area include Coolings Gardener's Garden Centre, Polhill Garden Centre in Sevenoaks, Ruxley Manor Garden Centre in Sidcup.