I was a garden design student at Pershore Horticultural College when I first visited Highfield Garden World, located just twenty minutes south of Cheltenham. In those days Highfield was much smaller than it is today, but the quality of the plants has always been outstanding, and the staff are particularly knowledgeable about the plants and items they sell.
When I moved to West Oxfordshire a few years ago, I would drive to Highfield to buy plants, roses, shrubs and trees for my garden and was never disappointed with my purchases. Whilst there are several garden centres located around Oxfordshire, if you are looking for affordable outdoor and indoor plants, garden sundries and tools, garden and conservatory furniture, a food hall, even items for your pet or gifts, get in the car and treat yourself to a visit as you won’t be disappointed. Unlike some garden centres, you are also welcome to take your well-behaved dog (on lead).
The garden centre you will encounter today has undergone many changes since the company’s story began back in 1920. The business started as a nursery located in Haverfordwest growing willows and forestry trees and was known as The Western Forestry and Willow Company. When they outgrew their premises, everything was transported to Whitminster, just south of Gloucester, to land belonging to Highfield House and Highfield Nurseries, established by Edward Bazeley. Following the end of WW2, Edward handed the business over to his son Bonham who opened a small shop and plant area for visiting customers. In 1975 Joan Greenway joined the business and she became the driving force and inspiration in taking Highfield Garden World to where it is today.
The company very much remains a family business, with three generations of Joan’s family working for Highfield. Her son Tim, now Managing Director, joined in 1982. His sister Sue is the Clothing Manager and granddaughter Emma currently works as an office administrator and in the accounts department, preparing figures for analysis, as well as organising the popular coach trips which Highfield runs for its customers. Managing Director Tim, said; “Highfield has a wonderful heritage. To be part of its continuing progress and development with the Greenway family makes me very proud of what we have achieved.”
Over the years, under Joan’s guidance, the family saw the potential for a garden centre business to be developed on what was at the time a field growing roses and soft fruit. In March 1992, Geoff Hamilton (presenter of BBC Gardeners’ World at the time) opened the first garden centre. Due to the downturn of the economy at the time and the resulting recession, the initial years for the new business were financially challenging. However, with support from a major supplier who offered to stock the shelves on favourable terms, the business moved forward and has never looked back.
The garden centre has expanded many times, first with an extra building to house its World of Water, and then two extensions to the main building. The 19-acre field to the south of the garden centre came up for sale in 2003 and was purchased, taking their land holding to 26-acres. This field has canal-side frontage to the old Stroud Water canal which currently produces arable crops. The original mail-order business ceased in 2010 but the original nursery site in the village of Whitminster still produces vegetables, seedlings and other seasonal plants for the garden centre, and the team are extremely proud that their original ‘nursery roots’ have never been forgotten.
With the garden centre being extended, the original coffee shop they opened in 1992 was not of sufficient size to meet customer demand. In 2005, the restaurant, Greenways, was expanded, but soon proved so popular it could not cope with the volume of customers. By 2013, Joan and Tim undertook a £2.5million development of the restaurant area, which now serves 450 covers, offering food seven days a week.
The food, like everything else at Highfield Garden World, is of exceptional quality – and is all prepared on the premises. Their bakers produce cakes and scones in their own dedicated bakery, and a variety of hot food is available including breakfasts and a range of delicious lunch options, as well as their super popular Sunday roasts. When the weather is fine, visitors can treat themselves to something delicious while taking a seat on the patio area with its spectacular views over the countryside.
Just four years ago in 2022, the Planteria area was further extended, and a retractable roof was added, ensuring that even when it is pouring with rain, customers can walk around choosing their plants whilst keeping dry. Moreover, on hot days the roof opens up to provide comfortable ventilation. Part and parcel of these improvements was the installation of a rain water collection system with a tank holding 216,000 litres of rainwater, to help keep all the plants hydrated.
The extension has allowed for a wider range of stock; from plants and trees to stoneware pots and much more. Director Jon Mason heads up the Planteria area, and he oversees the stocking and care of many thousands of varieties of plants, many of which are sourced from local nurseries in Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Jon explains; “We listen to what our customers want, and we have excellent suppliers who we’ve worked with for years. Small, regular deliveries also help us ensure we are offering the best plants and the best quality at all times. All of our plants are checked thoroughly when they arrive to make sure they’re in tip top condition, and we have a passionate team that keeps them looking their best for customers to really enjoy making their choices.”
From March to the end of October, the sheer volume of high-quality plants of all types is almost overwhelming – and in the weeks leading up to Christmas, Christmas trees and winter shrubs and plants are added to the selection. In fact, if you are looking for something in particular it is always worth contacting Highfield to ask if it is in stock. If not, they are happy order it for you when possible.
What has always impressed me when buying plants at Highfield – both for myself and for my clients – is that I do so in the knowledge that the plants are good quality and if for any reason they fail within the first few months, they can easily be returned and replaced. It’s worth downloading their Privilege Plus app to keep a tab on your receipts and points balance. It also carries exclusive offers, the latest news and information on events at Highfield, which include coach trips to gardens and other places of interest.
