About Park Garden Centres

Three generations keep it in the family

The history of Park Garden Centres is very much a family story. Phil Hodges is the third generation of Hodges to run the garden centre. His grandfather Fred Hodges started the business in 1933, renting a 16-room house and 17.5 acres of land from the Hiatt Baker family in Almondsbury at 1s 6d a week.

"He started the nursery, but to make ends meet, he had to take in lodgers. In 1947 he was able to buy the land for £2000."

The business developed under the guiding hand of his son Keith Hodges, who retired just recently. "When Dad took over in 1969, the business was turning over £8,000 and was predominantly a wholesale nursery. He had the foresight to develop the retail side of the business and last year we turned over in excess of £10,500,000."

In 1992 the family added Lechlade Garden Centre to the group and invested in a £1.25 million refurbishment of the centre in 2005. The latest addition to the Group is the purpose built Cheddar Garden Centre which opened in 2006. Just outside of the popular Somerset village of Cheddar, this 350,000 sq foot site is the family’s flagship garden centre.

"It’s not so much a business as a passion for us" said Philip, "We are all passionate about gardening, and we have a knowledgeable, friendly team of 150 people working with us who feel the same way. Gardening is a hobby that crosses age and social boundaries; you just have to see the mix of people visiting our centres to appreciate this. People love the idea of growing things, it’s creative and relaxing. In fact apart form the soil, its good clean fun and the whole family can do it!"

Almondsbury Garden Centre

Acknowledged to be one of the best stocked garden centres in the area, customers are drawn back time and again appreciating superb quality plants and excellent value for money.

In an idyllic country side location, a visit to Almondsbury’s well established garden centre is a pleasurable experience. Value for money and quality are the watchwords here. The staff are well trained and have a real appreciation of gardening. Whatever the season, there are special offers to save money and some excellent ideas to help your garden flourish.

Cheddar Garden Centre

The latest of the Group’s centres, Cheddar opened in 2006 and truly is a flagship garden centre. Set amongst the natural beauty of the Mendip Hills just a short distance outside the Somerset village of Cheddar, this centre is close to Wells, Cheddar, Street and the main towns and villages of Mendip.

In addition to the friendly, experienced staff Cheddar has a fantastic outdoor area stocked with a huge choice of plants (many undercover), aquatic and water garden displays. There is a play area for children and alfresco seating for Hodges Restaurant. Inside this light, bright centre, there is an imaginative gift area, garden accessories and sundries and sizeable small pet and aquatics areas with great accessories.

Lechlade Garden Centre

Lechlade enjoyed a £1.25 million refurbishment programme in 2004 and now this 4,000 sqm centre is well and truly on the map. It’s easy to see why, with the extraordinary range of plants and garden oriented products coupled with well trained and experienced staff.

In addition to a large undercover plant area, pet centre, gifts, and aquatics centre, Lechlade has something to keep the whole family happy. People travel from Gloucester, Swindon and Oxford to visit the centre’s popular Hodges Restaurant with its mouth-watering daily menu, including a weekly carvery and great value Sunday lunch.