SUMMARY
NOW OWNED BY WEBBS GARDEN CENTRES
FOR
Good quality plants.
Good prices
Excellent cafe facilities
A day out when combined with the attached farm shop.
Large choice of chickens, runs and coops
AVERAGE
Interior shopping area
AGAINST
None
This is a large area and the signs are more than adequate to allow you to find specific plants quickly. The individual plant information is commendably detailed. The paths are wide, paved and clear.
To the right of the main area there is a vast range of garden buildings and greenhouses supplied by GBC. Pleasantly displayed, this is a good destination garden centre if you are considering the purchase of a greenhouse or shed. They even have a range of pre-fabricated garages on display!
In another part of the outside area there are lots of different breeds of chicken for sale. The choice of chicken runs and coops is very large indeed. All the chickens looked very healthy and kept in large runs.
THE PLANTS
The plants are all in excellent condition and come with Frosts five
year hardy plant guarantee. The area is well-stocked with a large
variety of plants and does not just cover the more varieties.
Specialities of this garden centre include a large selection of
well-described fruit and ornamental trees, bamboos and ferns, lots
of evergreen trees and bushes and an interesting display of Japanese
maple trees.
As far as prices are concerned our sample prices below show that in general Frosts at Frilford are very competitive. Clematis prices start from £8.99, roses from £7.99, Tomorite 1 litre is £3.99. 1 kilo of Miracle Gro £5.29, Yeoman economy spade is £12.99 with Bentley stainless steel versions at £26.99. Finally, a 60 litre bag of Frosts own multipurpose is £4.99 or three for £12.
INSIDE FROSTS GARDEN CENTRE, FRILFORD
The inside sales area is dominated by the unattractive glass /
plastic roof and metal girders found in so many garden centres. That
aside, the area is well designed and an attractive area for shopping
with wide carpeted paths.
Frosts stocks all the gardening accessories you will require. In addition they sell a very large choice of cards, books, indoor and outdoor garden furniture, barbecues, clothes, gifts, kitchenware and lots more. Bird feed and houseplant displays are very impressive.
The aquatics centre is well stocked with a full range of accessories, tanks and feeds and a medium sized selection of freshwater, coldwater and tropical fish. One area contains a reasonable range of water features and pond plants.
WHEELCHAIR ACCESS
Very good all round with wheelchairs available for free at the main
entrance.
The layout is reasonably pleasant with plain furniture inside. The outdoor seating area is pleasantly furnished with a good view over the garden centre.
If you require more variety or a main meal then it's best to go to the cafe in the adjoining cafe at Milletts Farm Centre. Here they serve a choice of main meals (£8 to £9) including a vegetarian option, baked potatoes, sandwiches, baguettes, paninis. Coffees, teas (both at £1.80) cakes and snacks are also available. Service is prompt with almost no queues and the meals are served to you at the counter. All the food is on display so you can see exactly what is on offer.
We sampled the main meal vegetarian option which was a mushroom, tomato and goats cheese tart, it was delicious and presented very well. The snack meal we sampled was a baked potato with baked beans, this also tasted good and both portions were large.
The cafe area was well arranged and decor was good with the exception of plastic tables and chairs which let it down a little. However, there is a huge outdoors seating area with superb views over the lake and countryside.
Frosts Garden Centre is excellent by itself but the Farm Centre next door makes the area a real day out. Lots for the kids to do, with arts and crafts and a big play area. The Farm Shop sells a wide range of food including every day items.
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.
We have primarily rated Frosts Garden Centre without being too concerned about the excellent farm shop but for food and cafe we have rated the two as a joints feature.
Note that the price ratings below is based on a limited range of sample prices.
FROSTS 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 - Ample car parking on solid well drained land.
Pet Centre - They sell accessories and feeds but no live pets
Aquatics - Yes, fish and accessories
Water Features - Yes a reasonable display
Sheds and Greenhouses - A huge selection of both
House Plants - Yes, a good selection and well arranged
Wheelchair Access - Good throughout
Toilets - Ladies gents and disabled.
Specialities - The attached farm centre which although not owned by Frosts, acts as a joint enterprise.
CONTACT DETAILS AND DIRECTIONS
Address
Frosts Garden Centre,
Kingston Road,
Frilford,
Oxfordshire OX13 5HB
Telephone
01865 391923
Website
Official website is
here.
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We hope you have enjoyed and benefited from this independent review of Frosts Garden Centre in Frilford near Abingdon. Remember that it is our opinion and may be the result of one visit only. If you are the owner of Frosts 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.