The Barn, Garstang, Preston

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	This is not your standard garden centre so our review is non-standard. The Barn stocks a huge range of herbaceous plants plus some common shrubs. The gift shop is a marvel to behold and the cafe is ...... read on!

This is a totally independent GardenAction opinion of the The Barn in Garstang.

THE BARN GARDEN CENTRE - THE PLANTS AREA

The Barn Garden centre specialises in herbaceous plants plus some shrubs. No real attempt has been made to make the outdoor area attractive because the plants are the stars here.

The range of herbaceous plants is huge. More varieties of salvias, rudbeckias, irises, hemerocallis, heleniums, potentillas and many others than you have ever seen.

The plants are all arranged in alphabetic order so finding a particular one is not difficult. In common with many nurseries, you have to pick one in good condition but there is no shortage. Prices in general are on the cheap side, but the range is so vast that comparison is pointless.

We saw some wheelchair users in the cafe so it must be possible to get there but the garden centre would be problematical for some wheelchair users.

There is a very small garden shop which stocks some plant feeds and a very basic range of other goods. But the range is small. Overall, it's a very interesting place for plants, as long as you accept that the majority are herbaceous.

DISPLAY GARDEN

At the end of the plants area there is a very well-kept display garden stocked mainly with herbaceous plants. The majority are named to help you select plants from the garden centre. There is also a vegetable garden.

THE GIFT SHOP

The gift shop at the Barn is something extraordinary. A series of three rooms stacked full of gifts and cards. This is the place to visit if you just can't think what to buy for someone! You'll find something here. I would imagine that shopping for Christmas presents would be ideal at this shop.
It's a "wander round" shop, things don't appear to be logically grouped, but that's half the fun of this shop. Well worth a visit in our opinion.

THE BARN GARDEN CENTRE - THE CAFE

There was not just one cafe area at the Barn but several. The larger ones are reserved for functions and events organised by the Barn. In the evening of the day we visited, a tex-mex evening was scheduled. Whilst we can't comment on the standard of the food at those types of evening, we can say that the setting for those events is very attractive. A pleasant rustic feel to everything.

During the day there is an almost endless set of seating areas, indoors, outdoors and covered. All are very attractively laid out with solid wood tables and chairs. It's a cottage cafe type layout and it works extremely well.

As well as teas, coffees, other drinks (including beer and wine) cakes and snacks, they serve jacket potatoes with fillings (£5), baguettes and toasted croissants (£4 to £5).

Hot food is served to your table by pleasant and efficient staff. Queuing and waiting times are minimal, yet the food is freshly prepared.

The cafe is extremely popular, even bringing in coaches full of day-trippers. But at no time did it feel crowded. The quality of the food is excellent, and the portions are more than sufficient. Our toasted Lancashire cheese and ham croissant was truly laden!

CAR PARKING

Ample car-parking is available on flat and well drained land.

DIRECTIONS AND CONTACT FOR THE BARN GARDEN CENTRE

The address is:
The Barn Garden Centre,
The Square,
Scorton,
Near Garstang,
Preston,
Lancashire PR3 1AU

Our sat nav delivered us there based on the postcode. Scorton is a very small village so you can't miss The Barn when you get there.

A map can be found here.

Tel: 01524 793533
Email: sales@plantsandgifts.co.uk
Website: http://www.plantsandgifts.co.uk/garden_centre.php

SUMMARY
The garden centre can't be beaten for the range of herbaceous plants and that's what they specialise in. The display garden is well kept, informative and attractive.

The gift shop is entrancing and very well stocked with unusual items. The cafe is a delight, serving top quality freshly prepared food in a very attractive setting. Lots of atmosphere.

COMMENTS
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