Braithwaites Garden Centre & Coffee Shop

12/06/2026

🌳 S O R B U S 🌳

Our Sorbus trees are currently in flower! Producing dainty clusters of flowers in early summer, which turn to beautiful vibrant berries in autumn, makes them a popular choice for gardens.

Jake, one of our tree experts, will talk you through a few of our favourites.

08/06/2026

🌧️ R A I N Y D A Y S 🌧️

Despite the very wet weather we are having, our plants are still looking fabulous! If there’s one thing a British garden needs, it’s a plant that looks good in the rain!

08/06/2026

WE ARE HIRING!

We are looking to replace two of our hospitality team who are moving on to new adventures.

The successful candidates should be able to provide a pleasant, efficient coffee shop experience with excellent service to our customers.

4-5 days per week (25hrs) and must be available to work during the week and weekends.

JOB ROLE

* All aspects of front of house - greeting customers, preparing coffees, teas, speciality drinks, recording accurate orders and processing payments.
* Preparing and serving fresh food to order along with general kitchen duties.
* Maintaining a high level of cleanliness and hygiene within all areas of the coffee shop.

REQUIREMENTS

* Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
* Excellent organisational and communication skills.
* Ability to work well under pressure.
* Barista training will be provided but previous experience in a food service/barista role is preferred.
* Applicants must be 18 or over.
* There must be flexibility to vary shifts if required to cover for holidays and sickness.

Please send your CV to [email protected]

Due to the expected volume of applicants, only successful candidates will be contacted for an interview.

05/06/2026

🌹 R O S E 🌹

Our roses are looking spectacular right now, bursting with abundant blooms. Choose from a fantastic selection of climbers, ramblers, patio roses, hybrid teas, floribundas and shrub roses. Why not call in to find the perfect rose for your garden!

02/06/2026

We have some stunning perennials in flower this June take a look 👀
Joe, our resident perennials expert, has chosen a few of his favourites for June to share with you!

29/05/2026

New drinks for the summer are here 🌞

Watch out for more new flavours over the next few weeks 👀

The perfect summer drink’s available to drink in or takeaway!

Iced peach or lemon tea 🍑 🍋
Banoffee milkshake 🍌

29/05/2026

🌼 S U M M E R B E D D I N G 🌼

Our huge range of summer bedding is looking stunning with abundant blooms and vibrant colours! Coming in a range of sizes including singular pots priced at £2.95 each and multi packs priced at £3.95. Now is the perfect time to plant your summer bedding and enjoy their colour all summer long.

25/05/2026

🌼 Thornton Hall Gardens 🌼

We are back at Thornton Hall with our plant stall! Today is the first day of opening this year and what a way to start off with fantastic weather and this amazing setting. This will be our 4th year at Thornton hall. Offering some amazing special offers as always! Quite a few of our plants have made it into the gardens so it is lovely to be able to see them flourishing under Sue’s care and attention. We look forward to seeing you there, it is well worth a visit 😊

We are open today Bank Holiday Monday for the first time this year featuring our very popular Plant Fair, with lots of specialist nurseries offering an array of interesting and unusual plants, as well as the gardens being open for you to have a wander - lots of seats placed around the gardens

Are you feeling inspired by Chelsea and would like some new plants, garden ornaments or something for the wildlife in your garden then why not come and join us today?

Lots of tasty refreshments available from Davina Lovegreen catering and her team. Hot bacon and sausage sandwiches, salads, homemade cakes and cold sandwiches served in the Bowes tearoom or at a mobile unit outside

Admission is £10 per person payable at the gate. Ample free parking.

We are 3 miles west of Darlington on the B6279 Staindrop Road ( postcode is DL2 2NB)

Please bring some cash as some of the smaller specialist nurseries may not have a card machine.

23/05/2026

The sun is shining and our new seating area is now open.

Bloom is open 9–4pm serving breakfast, lunch, coffee and more.

23/05/2026

🌸 B A N K H O L I D A Y 🌸

We are open this bank holiday weekend!
With the fantastic weather forecast why not make the most of this weekend and get your garden ready for summer. All our plant benches are packed full of perennials, shrubs and summer bedding- we have something for every garden!
See our opening times below.

Garden centre

Saturday 23rd May 8:30am - 5pm
Sunday 24th May 10am - 4pm
Monday 25th May 10am - 4pm

Coffee shop

Saturday 23rd May 9am - 4pm
Sunday 24th May 10am - 4pm
Monday 25th May 10am - 4pm