The UK's 16 best garden centres have been named, with Perrywood Garden Centre in Tiptree, Essex, emerging as the biggest winner of the night with five top prizes at the annual Garden Centre Association (GCA) ceremony.
The event took place on Monday, January 27, 2025, at the De Vere Wokefield Estate in Reading, where winners were selected following rigorous, unannounced annual inspections measuring customer service, plant quality and overall operational standards.
Top winners across the country
Perrywood Garden Centre scooped the Barton Grange Trophy for Commercial Creativity and Innovation, the Customer Service Award, the GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer (Destination), the Ian Boardman Indoor Plants Cup (Destination) and the Ruxley Rose Award for Best Overall Plantaria (Destination).
Castle Gardens in Sherborne, Dorset, secured three major national honours for its displays and eco-friendly operations, winning the Paul Cooling Environment and Sustainability Award, the Ian Boardman Indoor Plants Cup (Garden Centre Category) and top place in the national Christmas Competition (Garden Centre Category).
Regional successes
Pugh's Garden Village in Wenvoe, South Glamorgan, brought home three awards for Wales in the Local Garden Centre category, achieving top spot for Best Outdoor Living Retailer, Best Food Hall/Farm Shop and the Christmas Competition.
Garsons Garden Centre in Esher, Surrey, won two major awards in the Destination category, being named Best Outdoor Living Retailer and claiming first place in the national Christmas Competition.
Industry praise
GCA chief executive Peter Burks praised the achievements, stating: “Through our annual inspections, and these subsequent awards given to those that score the best in those inspections, we know our member garden centres have some of the highest standards in our industry. Each year, our members go from strength to strength and the competition to reach the top spots is more hotly contested.”
“All our worthy winners and runners up in each category should be very proud of the example they set to others. I’d like to congratulate every one of them for their outstanding commitment to ensuring the public receives a truly positive experience when visiting them.”
