Review of garden centres and farm shops in the Derby area

These days there seems to be cross-over between farm shops, nurseries, cafes and gift shops.

Traditionally garden centres were nurseries, places to buy plants and pots, also to get advice and help.  Gift shops and cafes were stand-alone places - and farm shops didn't really exist.

It all depends on what you're looking for as these days a garden centre at the very least can be plant nursery and cafe.  Perhaps then a few gifts will be sold, and maybe some produce which has been grown locally.

And eventually, if the site's large enough, they can become places selling everything you could possibly think of, even wool, crafts and possibly pets.  


But funnily enough I haven't yet seen one selling chickens, ducks and other animals which gardeners may want to start raising in their back gardens.


Here is a selection of garden centres and farm shops so far found locally to our house in Allestree, Derby:


Hackwood Farm, Mickleover (http://www.hackwoodfarm.com/): Very nice food in the cafe. Delicious sausages, although haven't tried any other of their food yet.
Croots Farm Shop, Duffield (http://www.croots.co.uk/croots-kitchen/): Had a lovely snack here.  Comprehensive range of food for sale.
Maynell Langley Garden Centre, nr Kirk Langley (http://www.meynell-langley-gardens.co.uk/):  Lovely food in their cafe. Very good selection of plants and excellent place for advice.
Blue Diamond Garden Centre, Little Eaton (https://plus.google.com/111160366235957142145/about?hl=en):  Large garden centre which is part of the Blue Diamond group.  There's a nice pet department and lots of plants, garden furniture, books and gifts.  Good cafe.  Competent service and if it's help you're after then perhaps better to go elsewhere.

Markeaton Garden Centre (http://www.markeaton-garden-centre.co.uk/):  I have yet to try but have been told it's good.

See also: http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/shopping/garden-centres