Business Details
44 Years
experience
Your Trusted Garden Centre in Ely, Cambridgeshire
Established in 1982, Twenty Pence Garden Centre has grown from a small farm shop into a beloved local destination for gardening enthusiasts. Our family-owned business combines decades of horticultural expertise with a commitment to providing high-quality plants, expert advice, and a welcoming shopping experience. The management team, including Director Gavin and Store Manager Jim, brings extensive industry experience, ensuring our values of customer service and community engagement remain central to our operations. We pride ourselves on offering a diverse range of products, from landscaping materials to unique garden ornaments, alongside family-friendly facilities like our restaurants and seasonal events. Our team of horticulturalists, including Plant Manager Paul, provides invaluable guidance to help customers cultivate their perfect gardens.Sustainability and innovation are core to our approach, reflected in initiatives like our loyalty scheme and peat-free compost offerings. With over 40 years of experience serving Cambridgeshire, we continue to expand our product range and facilities while maintaining the personal touch that defines our brand. Our dedication to quality extends to our food hall and restaurants, ensuring visitors enjoy a holistic experience. Regular events, from pumpkin patches to festive markets, make us a year-round destination for families and gardening enthusiasts alike. This combination of expertise, community focus, and diverse offerings positions us as a trusted leader in the gardening industry.
Services
Landscaping
Plant Sales
Outdoor Furniture
Gardening Advice
Seasonal Events
Details
- Year established: 1982
Highlights and features
- We offer 40+ years of horticultural expertise and family-owned service
- Our team includes certified horticulturalists and landscaping specialists
- We provide peat-free compost and sustainable gardening solutions
- Our loyalty scheme offers exclusive discounts and rewards
- We combine retail, dining, and educational experiences under one roof
What people say
Expert advice
Wide product selection
Family-friendly events
Quality plants
Helpful staff
Services
Landscaping
Our landscaping services combine expert design with premium materials to transform outdoor spaces. We offer tailored solutions for residential and commercial properties, including hardscaping, planting schemes, and water features. With experienced designers and horticulturalists, we create functional, aesthetically pleasing gardens that enhance property value and usability.
Plant Sales
We provide a comprehensive selection of plants, from seasonal bedding to rare specimens. Our nursery team offers expert advice on plant care and suitability for different growing conditions. With regular new arrivals and specialist collections, we cater to both amateur gardeners and professional landscapers seeking high-quality planting solutions.
Outdoor Furniture
Our outdoor furniture range includes contemporary and traditional designs to suit all garden styles. We stock durable, weather-resistant sets from leading brands, complemented by accessories like gazebos and lighting. Expert staff help customers select pieces that balance aesthetics with practicality for year-round outdoor enjoyment.
Gardening Advice
Our horticultural experts provide free, in-depth gardening advice to help customers achieve successful results. Services include soil analysis, planting guidance, and pest control recommendations. We also offer printed care guides and host regular workshops to share knowledge and best practices with the local gardening community.
Seasonal Events
We host year-round events that combine education with family entertainment, including festive markets, pumpkin patches, and gardening workshops. These events feature special product promotions, live demonstrations, and themed activities that engage visitors of all ages while promoting gardening as a rewarding lifestyle.
People
Gavin
Director
With over two decades at Twenty Pence, Gavin oversees operations while maintaining our family values. He ensures quality standards across all departments and fosters customer relationships through his passion for horticulture and hospitality.
Jim
Store Manager
Jim brings 20+ years of horticultural expertise to his role, specialising in garden design. He manages daily operations while sharing practical gardening knowledge, ensuring both product quality and customer satisfaction remain paramount in our service delivery.
Paul
Plant Manager
A qualified horticulturalist with Cambridge College credentials, Paul curates our plant collections. His expertise in sourcing rare specimens and providing growing advice makes him a valuable resource for customers seeking specialist botanical knowledge.
Amanda
Food Hall Manager
Amanda combines retail management experience with a love for gardening. She oversees our food offerings while maintaining connections to the agricultural community, ensuring fresh, locally sourced products complement our gardening focus.
Stacey
Gift Buyer
Stacey curates our unique gift selection with an eye for distinctive garden-related products. Her background in retail merchandising helps create engaging displays that showcase our carefully chosen range of decorative and practical garden items.
Questions
What are your current opening hours?
We're open Monday to Saturday 9:00am-5:30pm and Sunday 10:30am-4:30pm, with seasonal variations during holidays.
Do you offer gardening advice services?
Yes, our horticultural experts provide free advice on plant selection, care, and garden design during normal business hours.
Are there dining options available?
We have two restaurants - Applejacks Restaurant and Orchard Pizzeria - serving seasonal menus using local produce.
Do you sell peat-free gardening products?
Yes, we offer a comprehensive range of peat-free composts and environmentally friendly gardening solutions.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept major credit/debit cards, contactless payments, and cash for in-store purchases.
Do you host special events?
Yes, we run seasonal events including festive markets, pumpkin patches, and gardening workshops throughout the year.
Videos
Reviews (5)
Connor Butler
Dec 20, 2021
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Very good garden centre. Has basically everything you'd want it to have. A good selection of plants, gardening equipment, wild bird and gifts. The cafe/restaurant is also very popular. Currently a good selection of Christmas related products too.
Melodic Minus Acido
Dec 06, 2021
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This used to be quite a good restaurant, however the last three times we've been there, we were very unimpressed, don't know if they e changed chefs but it's definitely gone down hill.
"Update" on 7/11/21 my son decided to treat the family to the Sunday carvery, how very disappointing, my son's gammon was so tough he couldn't eat it, the roast potatoes weren't crispy, the Yorkshire puddings were burnt! The list could go on, all in all I wouldn't feed it to my dog! This place has definitely gone down hill, doesn't warrant the 11 a head that they charge.
"Update" on 7/11/21 my son decided to treat the family to the Sunday carvery, how very disappointing, my son's gammon was so tough he couldn't eat it, the roast potatoes weren't crispy, the Yorkshire puddings were burnt! The list could go on, all in all I wouldn't feed it to my dog! This place has definitely gone down hill, doesn't warrant the 11 a head that they charge.
Tony Bainbridge
Dec 05, 2021
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It's a little bit of everything, decent food and always that quirky something if you're after a gift. They even do plants...
Gary Bacon
Dec 04, 2021
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I visited on Monday this week and after a walk around had a wonderful jacket potato at Applejacks. The lady who served us was courteous and friendly, I think her name was Kim. Great experience, will definitely be back.
Elizabeth Wiggs
Nov 19, 2021
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Fantastic shop! Brilliant garden centre with quality choices. Great for Christmas browsing lovely unique bits and lots of plant-based and gluten-free treasures I had to seen before!
