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POLHILL GARDEN CENTRE SEVENOAKS

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ADDRESS:
Polhill Garden Centre Sevenoaks
London Road,
Badgers Mount,
Sevenoaks,
Kent, TN14 7AD
 
OWNER:
Privately owned by the Novell family
 
TELEPHONE NUMBER:
01959 534212
 
WEBSITE:
Click here.

GOOGLE MAP: Click here for a Google map showing the location of Polhill Garden Centre Sevenoaks

EMAIL: Polhill Garden Centre Sevenoaks.

Entrance to Polhill Garden Centre, Sevenoaks
Entrance to Polhill Garden Centre

There are two Polhill Garden Centres, the one we review in this article and another called Polhill Coton Orchard in Cambridge. This branch reviewed here at Sevenoaks in Kent was the original one and is definitely the largest of the two.

It began life in the 1960s as a nursery selling mainly cut flowers for sale at Covent Garden in London. They expanded into growing and selling vegetable plants over the next few years and gradually evolved into a large garden centre.

Polhill Garden Centre was damaged very badly in the hurricane of 1987 and put the business under very severe pressure. Over a couple of years the damaged parts of the garden centre were rebuilt.


 View of the plants area
Polhill Garden Centre has a large outside plants area which is kept clean and tidy. A significant part of the area is under cover, housing seasonal and more tender plants.

Not much thought has been expended on the design of the plants area. The plant bays are reasonably attractive, made from wood, but the rows are regimented and rather boring.

As befits such a large plants area the range of plants is extensive. Whilst they can't claim any particular specialist areas, the choice of evergreens, roses, clematis, fruit an ornamental trees and a few other plant groups was large. The plants were in good condition and hardy plants come with a two year guarantee. The guarantee only covers container grown plants however which is strange, it would not cover a bare-rooted fruit tree.

Prices were slightly lower than those of similar garden centres in the area. Some of the prices included clematis from £7.99, roses also starting at £7.99. There was almost a complete lack of large signs to plant groupings in the outside area which made finding specific plants very difficult. Not important to many but very irritating for a few customers.

On entering the garden centre you cannot fail to miss the huge Food Hall area. This is definitely the largest we have seen in a garden centre and food-wise it is on a par with a small to medium supermarket. It would be quite possible to do your weekly food shop at Polhill Garden Centre in Sevenoaks.

Another area which Polhill specialise in is bird food and accessories. A massive choice and our bird food expert reports that the prices are extremely competitive. This is especially so if you are buying larger packets of bird food. 

This is a large garden centre interior and you will not be disappointed if you are looking for gardening accessories, houseplants, barbecues, clothes and all those items which are stocked at large garden centres. The is a very large choice of garden furniture both high end and budget choices.

POLHILL FARM SHOP

Polhill Farm Shop (a separate business from the garden centre) is in the garden centre and they sell a wide range of locally sourced produce including fruit and veg, cheeses, pickles, chutneys and other deli-type goods. Although all looks well from a cursory view it's clear that all is definitely not well with this Farm Shop. Looking at their food hygiene rating from the Food Standards Agency, Polhill Farm Shop (not Novells Restaurant (see below)) was awarded a very poor one star rating out of a possible highest rating of five stars in November 2012. This alone would put us off buying any food at the farm shop.

UPDATE MAY 2022: We constantly review the food hygiene ratings in our articles and noted that in May 2022 Polhill Farm Shop at the garden centre had a new rating of four stars. This is hugely improved over past years and congratulations to them for this top class rating.

Hygiene Rating 4

THE CAFE AT POLHILL GARDEN CENTRE SEVENOAKS

The cafe / restaurant is very large and has a modern look and feel to it. The menu is extensive and they serve breakfasts, main meals, salads, pizzas, snacks, coffee, tea and cakes. The prices are rather up market with main meals around the £9.00 price, roasts at £9.50. Children are well catered for with their own menu.

The Food Standards Agency awarded this restaurant a four star rating for food hygiene in 2022.

Food Hygiene rating of 4

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

OPENING HOURS: POLHILL GARDEN CENTRE SEVENOAKS

  Open Close
Monday 9.00am 5.30pm
Tuesday 9.00am 5.30pm
Wednesday 9.00am 5.30pm
Thursday 9.00am 5.30pm
Friday 9.00am 5.30pm
Saturday 9.00am 5.30pm
Sunday 10.30am 4.30pm

EASTER OPENING TIMES

Good Friday - 9.00am to 5.30pm
Easter Saturday - 9.00am to 5.30pm
Easter Sunday - CLOSED
Easter Monday - 9.00am to 5.30pm

CHRISTMAS OPENING TIMES

Christmas Eve - 9.00am to 4.00
Christmas Day - CLOSED
Boxing Day - CLOSED
New Year's Eve - 9.00am to 4.00
New Year's Day - 9.00am to 5.30
 

BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY OPENING TIMES

Includes May and August Bank Holiday:
Open 9.00am, closes 5.30pm
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