Located on the A505 between the pretty town of Hitchin and the erstwhile Quaker town of Letchworth, Hitchin Garden Centre began life in 1959 as a rose nursery owned by Jack Harkness, scion the famous rose breeding family. Dedicated to breeding ever more beautiful and disease-resistant varieties, Jack's business lives on behind the main centre and to this day is run by Harkness family members.

With such strong horticultural roots, it is no surprise that the centre attracts a loyal following of both expert and amateur gardeners. The staff delight in sharing their horticultural knowledge with customers and are committed to offering a superb level of service. Links with the community are strong and include wonderful events such as 'Barter a Tomato', where locals can trade their excess fruit and vegetables, talks by local gardening societies and projects with nearby schools.

An excellent restaurant serves traditional home-made menus, snacks and cakes and has the added bonus of fantastic views over Hitchin, whilst the core business of plants and gardening products is complemented with a great range of giftware, a pet shop and a well-regarded landscaping service.