The Old Railway Line Garden Centre in Powys, Wales, has been crowned the best garden centre in the UK at this year's Garden Centre Association (GCA) Awards. The winners were announced during the GCA's annual conference at Carden Park Hotel in Cheshire.
From Small Nursery to National Champion
The family-run business was founded in 1990 by Mark and Christina Cleary, who started by selling home-grown bedding plants from a modest greenhouse near the entrance to the site. More than three decades later, it has grown into one of Britain's best-known garden centres.
Today, the destination offers far more than plants, with visitors able to browse a wide range of gardening products, homeware, gifts, outdoor furniture, and seasonal displays. It also features a farm shop selling local Welsh produce, alongside a popular restaurant and coffee shop.
Multiple Awards Won
In addition to the overall top honour, The Old Railway Line also won Best Farm Shop and Best Garden Products Retailer, while once again receiving Centre of Excellence status. The business finished third in the UK for Customer Service, Catering Excellence and Indoor Lifestyle, and secured places in the UK's top 10 for Christmas Displays and the GCA Grow Award.
Recognition for the Team
The Old Railway Line said in a statement: "We’re absolutely thrilled to share some incredible news. We’ve been crowned Best Garden Centre in the UK at this year’s Garden Centre Association Awards! It was a fantastic evening celebrating the very best garden centres from across the country, and we’re still buzzing from the results."
The garden centre added: "To be recognised across so many categories in one year honestly means the world to us."
The business also praised its workforce: "For us, these awards are really about our people. Every member of the team plays a part in creating the experience our customers enjoy. From the plants and products we carefully select, to the food in our farm shop and the friendly faces you meet when you visit."
Commitment to Improvement
Garden Retail Director Liam Cleary added: "Being awarded Centre of Excellence once again also shows how important it is to us to keep improving. We’re never satisfied with ‘good enough’. We’re always looking for ways to do things better, offer more, and make every visit to the Old Railway Line Garden Centre a great one."
Previous Wins
The Old Railway Line has previously been crowned the UK's best garden centre twice before, having also claimed the overall title in 2018 and 2021. The GCA represents more than 200 garden centres across the UK, and winners are chosen following unannounced inspections throughout the year. Judges assess everything from customer service and staff knowledge to product quality, retail standards and the overall shopping experience.
