Adrian Drake
Garden Centre Manager
Located just off the A41 near Bicester Village, Bicester Garden Centre started life in 1976 as a tiny nursery and turf field attached to a small landscaping business. It was bought by Blooms of Bressingham in 2000 who significantly expanded it and sowed the seeds of the spectacular centre of today. In April 2007, after a major redesign, it reopened as part of Bicester Avenue, a new concept 'Home and Garden Centre' that has since become a massive success story, attracting literally millions of customers and winning two prestigious retail industry awards in the last few years.
Run by a team of helpful, friendly and knowledgeable staff, the centre's core business is horticulture, with an excellent array of top quality growing stock and gardening accessories. Complementing this is a huge range of home and giftware products, a food hall selling gourmet provisions and fresh local produce and a restaurant and cafe serving delicious home-cooked snacks and meals. A year round calendar of events includes celebrations of events such as Valentine's Day and Burns Night whilst at Christmas inspirational displays draw people from far and wide to admire the spectacle and revel in the festive atmosphere.
Facilities
Concession Outlets
Events
Centre Event - Daily Demonstrations
Throughout May
Throughout May, we shall be helping you prepare for the season ahead as we run FREE daily gardening demonstrations.
Starting on Wednesday 1st May at various times throughout the day, there will be daily demonstrations on various gardening topics including gardening basics, lawn care, caring for roses, growing your own Sunday veg, and more.
There is no need to book, just come along to a session that suits you.
Centre Event - Bake and Take
Monday 27th, Wednesdsay 29th and Friday 31st May, 2.30pm - 3.30pm
Let your children discover the joys of baking. Delicious treats and wholesome fun with no mess for you.
Monday 27th May - Sunny Carrot Cake
Wednesday 29th May - Pepper Boats
Friday 31st May - Melting Moments
Tickets £5.99 per child per session
Suitable for children aged 3 years and over
Booking essential. All children must be accompanied by a parent at all times. For further information, please ask a member of the garden centre team.
Centre Event - Plant and Take
Tuesday 28th and Thursday 30th May, 2.30pm - 3.30pm
Introduce your child to the basics of gardening. Join us for a fun yet informative time.
Tuesday 28th May - Pretty pansy pot
Thursday 30th May - Green salad pot
Tickets £4.99 per child per session
Suitable for children aged 4 years and over
Booking essential. All children must be accompanied by a parent at all times. For further information, please ask a member of the garden centre team.
Centre Event - Jumping Clay
Tuesday 28th May and Friday 31st May
Why not bring your children along to one of our workshops. Relax in our restaurant for half an hour while your child creates a unique fridge magnet from jumping clay. This 3D fun educational workshop is a great opportunity for some creativity and imagination.
3 to 5 years - 11am to 11.30am both days
6 years plus - 11.40am to 12.10pm both days
Tickets £3.99 per child per session
Suitable for children aged 3 years and over
Booking essential. For further information, please ask a member of the garden centre team.
Please note all parents will be required to fill in a consent form on the day prior to the activity commencing.
Coach Trip - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Wednesday 12th June
The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew is one of the world's leading botanic gardens. Explore glasshouses and landscapes, climb to the treetops, delve into the rainforest and discover 250 years of history at this famous garden.
Tickets £35 per person
Coach departs at 8.45am
Coach Trip - Ladies' Day at Royal Ascot Racecourse
Thursday 20th June
Join us for Ladies Day at Royal Ascot Racecourse; enjoy breakfast at Bicester Avenue Garden Centre, a day of races and an evening meal at The Kings Oak, Stokenchurch.
Itinerary
- 9am - Breakfast at Bicester Avenue Garden Centre
- 10.15am - Board coach to transfer to Ascot
- 11:30am - Arrive at racecourse. Champagne and nibbles on arrival. Non alcoholic alternative available.
- 2pm - First race
- 5.35pm - Final race, after which guests return to coach
- 6pm - Leave racecourse
- 7pm - Evening meal at The Kings Oak, Stokenchurch
- 9.30pm - Arrive at Bicester Avenue Garden Centre
These timing are all approximate and subject to change.
Ticket price includes the following:
- Coach travel from Bicester Avenue Garden Centre to event & return
- Full English or Continental breakfast at Bicester Avenue Garden Centre
- Champagne, fruit juice & nibbles on arrival at event
- Silver Ring admission ticket
- 3 course evening meal at the Kings Hotel Stokenchurch
Tickets £98 per person
Booking essential. For further information, please ask a member of the garden centre team.
Coach Trip - Cliveden Gardens
Wednesday 14th August
Once owned by the Astor family, this Italianate mansion was once a glittering hub of society and steeped in political intrigue and scandal. Set in 376 splendid acres near Taplow, its glorious landscapes include formal, informal and woodland areas as well as overlooking an idyllic bend in the river Thames. Cliveden is home to fascinating features such as celebrated parterre, delightful water gardens, distinguished topiary and magnificent sculptures.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden
Tickets £30 per person
Coach departs at 8.45am
Coach Trip - RHS Garden Wisley, Surrey
Wednesday 11th September
This world-class garden offers richly planted borders, outstanding rose gardens, woodland walks, water features and a stunning, contemporary glasshouse full of tropical plants, cacti and orchids. Internationally feted, Wisley remains the flagship garden of the RHS.
Tickets £35 per person
Coach departs at 8.45am
Coach Trip - Westonbirt Arboretum
Wednesday 16th October
The gold standard for any tree lover, Westonbirt holds an iconic place in the world of horticulture. Renowned throughout the globe for its unique collection of rare, fine and, in many cases, ancient, trees and shrubs, it is wonderful in every season. A place of superlatives, some of the oldest, tallest and rarest trees in the world are here, planted since 1829 throughout 600 acres of Cotswold countryside. There are more than 18,000 catalogued trees, 17 miles of easily navigated paths, endless leafy glades in which to wander and explore and an air of tranquillity that is hard to equal. Not to be missed.
www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt
Tickets £30 per person
Coach departs at 8.45am
Coach Trip - Hyde Park Winter Wonderland and Harrods, London
Saturday 30th November
Get into the festive season with a magical and sparkling array of activities and attractions at Hyde Park. There are bars, cafes, restaurants and the Angels Christmas Market which features more than 100 stalls from arts and crafts to luxury presents - guaranteed to fulfil any retail urge.
The day's itinerary will also include time to shop at the world's most famous department store, Harrods.
www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com
Tickets £25 per person
Coach departs at 8.45am
Coach Trip - Bath Christmas Market
Wednesday 4th December
Set in the heart of the city and with Bath Abbey as a backdrop, this Christmas market offers an impressive selection of handmade and unique gifts, a variety of local treats and an array of stalls full of irresistible festive food to be enjoyed.
Tickets £25 per person
Coach departs at 8.45am
Restaurant
We warmly welcome guests of all ages to our restaurant with family-friendly menus and delicious freshly-prepared food for all types and sizes of appetite. The atmosphere is relaxed and inviting and children are especially welcome, so do please join us soon for a delectable, revitalising and thoroughly enjoyable break.
We are very pleased to announce our fantastic food hygiene rating, as awarded by the Food Standards Agency.
Last inspection: 20th February 2012
Check this restaurant on the on the Food Standards Agency website
Garden Centre Apprenticeship Vacancies
Garden Centre Apprentice x2
Full time
Please apply by creating an account on the National Apprenticeship Service website or if you have any queries before applying please email apprenticeships@thegardencentregroup.co.uk
Restaurant Vacancies
Professional Cookery Apprentice x 2
Full Time
Please apply by visiting the National Apprenticeship Service website or if you have any queries before applying please email susan.milbank@westking.ac.uk
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