For 200 years Christies Garden Centre has been helping gardeners create beautiful outdoor spaces, but what lies behind the front doors is more than just a garden centre.
Director Christine Christie (wife of Ronald Christie, fifth generation) and the team have worked tirelessly over the years to transform the garden centre into a popular four-star visitor attraction drawing people from all over the UK and some far-flung places too.
New visitors are always surprised when they walk in for the first time and often describe it as a Tardis, revealing a different department at every turn.
It does look small from the outside, but in this case, looks are definitely deceiving because there is a lot to see and do. With a range of gifts, kitchenware, pet accessories, clothing, seasonal items and a food hall, customers are spoiled for choice on a trip to Christies.
The Food Hall was established two years ago and is packed with delicious fayre including oils, preserves, shortbread and the well-known COOK frozen foods.
The extensive giftware and home accessories department is the perfect place to buy that special something for that special someone. Need art for your wall, a frame for your desk or a trinket for your dresser? You’ll find the very thing you did not know you were looking for.
The popular Teapots restaurant is a hit with visitors, whether looking for a quiet moment with a hot drink and a cake during shopping, lunch or even a High Tea on a Sunday (booking for High Tea is advisable).
They offer breakfast, lunch and snacks, all freshly prepared in the kitchen with seating for up to 250 people. Due to social distancing rules it now seats 150 people, including the outside area.
Service has been kept as ‘normal’ as possible with the addition of social distancing, hand sanitising stations and the need to wear masks at all times when customers aren’t seated at a table, such as using the restrooms or when you leave the restaurant and re-enter the retail part of the centre.
Outside, the Play Garden is like a magnet for children.
They can get rid of some energy by climbing and exploring the play equipment – which includes two spectacular climbing frames that can be seen from the A96, a giant jumping pillow, a seesaw, self-propelled go karts (always a hit) and play equipment for wheelchair users. There is also a Soft Play Tent which will reopen in 2021.
The catering van serves ice cream, drinks and snacks to quench their thirst or settle rumbling tummies when they can tear themselves away from playing for a few minutes (and gives the grownups a well-deserved break from supervising the shenanigans).
Christies Garden Centre and the Teapots restaurant is open seven days a week. 9am Monday – Saturday and 10am on Sundays.
The Play Garden opens when the clocks go forward in the Spring and closes when the clocks go back again! Play time is all week during the school holidays and weekends during term time.
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