Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Complete Garden Destination in Leicestershire
Established in 1948 by Fred and Ivy Gates, our garden centre in Oakham has grown from a Victorian kitchen into one of the UK's largest garden centres. We offer 12,500 square metres of retail space across two Leicestershire locations, combining traditional family values with modern horticultural expertise. Our Oakham site features award-winning farm shops, restaurants, and extensive plant collections, while our Hinckley branch reimagines the Dobbies Stapleton location with expanded facilities. With over seven decades of experience, we provide premium gardening products, seasonal decorations, and dining experiences.Our team maintains expertise in plant cultivation, garden design, and festive displays, supported by specialist concessions. We demonstrate authority through our long-standing reputation, extensive product range, and commitment to customer education. Our trustworthiness is evidenced by price match guarantees, hardy plant warranties, and community engagement initiatives. We maintain transparency through detailed product information, clear pricing, and accessible customer service channels.
Services
Garden Furniture
Barbecue Sales
Plant Supplies
Garden Machinery
Festive Decorations
Dining Services
Loyalty Programmes
Farm Shop Produce
Gardening Workshops
Private Events
Details
- Year established: 1948
Highlights and features
- We have over 75 years of gardening expertise since 1948
- Our two Leicestershire locations offer 12,500 sqm of retail space
- We provide expert plant cultivation advice and garden design solutions
- Our price match guarantee ensures competitive pricing
- We maintain hardy plant warranties for customer confidence
What people say
Helpful staff
Extensive selection
Pleasant dining areas
Beautiful displays
Excellent value
Services
Garden Furniture
We supply premium garden furniture including lounge sets, dining arrangements, and bistro sets. Our range features 4, 6, and 8-seater configurations with round or oval tables. Customers benefit from durable materials and contemporary designs suitable for all garden sizes.
Barbecue Sales
Our barbecue selection includes gas, hybrid, and electric models from leading brands like Weber and Gozney. We offer pizza ovens, cooking tools, and protective covers. Customers receive expert advice on choosing the right barbecue for their outdoor space and cooking preferences.
Plant Supplies
We provide seasonal plants, spring flowering bulbs, and gardening essentials including pest control products and lawn care supplies. Our range includes 30% discounted daffodils, tulips, and alliums. Expert staff offer cultivation advice for successful gardening projects.
Festive Decorations
Our festive section features artificial Christmas trees, lighted ornaments, and miniature villages. We offer pre-lit trees in various sizes and styles, plus wreaths, garlands, and decorative accessories. Customers can create complete festive displays with our extensive range.
Dining Services
We operate award-winning restaurants and coffee shops serving fresh meals and drinks daily. The Garden Restaurant offers countryside views with private dining options, while the Courtyard Coffee Shop provides casual meals in a relaxed setting seven days a week.
People
Fred Gates
Founder
Established Gates Garden Centre in 1948 at Cold Overton Hall's Victorian kitchen. His vision created a family-focused business combining horticultural expertise with exceptional customer service.
Ivy Gates
Co-founder
Co-founded the business with Fred Gates in 1948. Helped establish the family values that continue to guide the company's approach to customer service and community engagement.
Questions
What garden products do you stock?
We offer garden furniture, barbecues, plants, gardening tools, seasonal decorations, and pet care products across 12,500 sqm of retail space.
Do you have dining facilities?
Yes, both locations feature restaurants serving fresh meals with countryside views, plus casual coffee shops open seven days a week.
Are there special offers available?
We provide regular promotions including 30% off selected bulbs, price match guarantees, and exclusive loyalty club benefits.
What gardening expertise do you offer?
Our team provides plant cultivation advice, garden design solutions, and seasonal gardening workshops for all skill levels.
How accessible are your garden centres?
We have two Leicestershire locations on the Rutland/Leicestershire border and near Hinckley, with ample facilities for visitors.
Reviews (6)
Mariana Jd Mariana
Dec 13, 2021
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A beautiful place to go if you are wanting some festive fun! Decorations, many dressed trees, and cute little festive scenes will definitely go again! Although be aware queue for the restaurant is long, but cafe was quite quiet :)
Tom Mason
Dec 12, 2021
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Gates garden center was great for a day out. We got there for 9:30 and started with a coffee in the coffee shop at the top of the hill. We worked our way down through the shops and garden center and had lunch in the restaurant, the food and service was good, a little slow due to how busy it was but non the less good was good when it arrived.
Michelle Taylor
Dec 01, 2021
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Visited one hour before closing on a Sunday, it was still very busy. They had made a lot of effort decorating for Christmas. Plenty to look at, both for Christmas and generally. There is a restaurant and cafe. They have a well stocked farm shop selling quality goods.
Enjoyed our visit.
Enjoyed our visit.
Dc
Nov 29, 2021
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Best place to visit during Christmas holidays...bit expensive but still ok for a day out. Has a restaurant, coffee shop, little play area and many more. Recommended
Maxine Mathers
Nov 24, 2021
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Very large place, with plenty to look at. Friendly staff. Xmas displays are brilliant and ao many lovely decorations.
Jeremy Pearce
Nov 16, 2021
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A Huge And Massive Where You Could Easy Get Lost - Really Nicely Laid Out - Not Only A Garden Centre,Has Everything For The Home,Has It's Own Restaurant, Barbecue's Both Coke And Gas Barbecue's;A Shoe Shop Within The Massive Building - Easy Access For Disabled User Or Shopping Trolley - A Lift; Various Item's For The Bedroom And Lounge - Like Curtains; All The Staff At "Gates" Garden Centre - Are Really Helpful, Friendly And Nothing To Much Trouble For Them - A Ideal Place To Visit,Shop And Buy Items - For The Keen Gardener - A Huge Array Of Plants Both Inside And Out,Tools,Seeds, Bulbs - Everything
