Whether a trip to the garden centre is a day out in itself is debatable, but when it comes with a café and easy access to one of Merseyside's best beaches, it certainly can be. On a sunny day this week, I headed to Waterloo to visit home and garden centre Tony Almond. Although larger options exist across Merseyside, such as Dobbie's in Speke, this South Road shop has a charm all its own.
While you probably won't spend hours wandering its aisles, if you're in the area—and there are many reasons to be—it's a great place to stop for a browse and a spot of lunch. You'll be able to pick up everything from gardenias to garden furniture sets, all within walking distance of the Marine Lake, Crosby Beach, and the area's many shops and pubs.
Plant Displays and Homeware
The plant displays are impressive. Everything is well maintained, with colourful flowers accompanied by helpful information cards. Alongside foliage, you'll find gardening DIY supplies and pretty plant pots. Inside is well-stocked with household essentials, cleaning products, paint, ladders, DIY materials, carpets, pet food and accessories, hanging baskets, picture frames, and garden furniture sets. There are also plenty of seasonal items, including barbecue fuel, cool bags, picnic accessories, beach windbreaks, buckets and spades, inflatable footballs, and other toys perfect for a day by the sea.
Families are well catered for too, with arts and crafts supplies, stationery, paper, and greeting cards all available.
Valerie's Coffee
After deciding on your floral picks, the neighbouring Valerie's Coffee offers a friendly place to rest your legs and can be accessed directly from Tony Almond without needing to leave the shop. Decorated with artificial foliage hanging from the ceiling, green walls, and botanical artwork, it has a relaxing atmosphere and seemed like a popular choice, even when I visited on a Wednesday. Despite this, there were still plenty of seats available. Visitors can choose between sitting indoors by the window or tucked away at the back, and there is seating on the pavement too. The café also serves drinks from Crosby Coffee, the region's highly rated independent roasters.
A food menu includes options like full English breakfasts and avocado toast, toasted sandwiches, jacket potatoes, croque monsieur, chicken club sandwiches, salads, and children's meals, plus a selection of cakes, brownies, and other baked treats. A community noticeboard, which includes information about local services and access to free sanitary products in the toilet, were nice touches too.
Location and Nearby Attractions
The best part about Tony Almond for me, however, was its location. Crosby Beach is around a 25-minute walk or five-minute drive away, and the nearby Marine Lake can be reached in just five minutes on foot—an ideal spot to sit in the sun, watch the water, and enjoy the views. There is also a children's play area, making it a great place for families.
Tony Almond may not be the largest destination of its kind, but combined with a stroll around the Marine Lake or a trip to Crosby Beach, it offers all the ingredients for a relaxing day out.
