We are a popular family run garden centre that has been established for over 50 years. We are small enough to care but big enough to stock everything you will need for the garden.
We have a large plant area and still believe that plants should be at the heart of the garden. We source most of our plants from local growers who share our same values of good quality, healthy plants at competitive prices.
As well as plants we stock everything you would expect to find in the garden centre and have a wide range of other departments to peruse and ever-increasing gift and garden gift sections.
OUR HERITAGE
From modest beginnings in a small shop beside the old coast road in Dersingham, Norfolk, Thaxters has grown into a large and attractive garden centre, village supermarket and coffee shop.
Thaxters is a family business of more than 70 years, started by Ron and Celia Thaxter, that is into it’s third generation. Today, the company is run by Ron’s grandson James Thaxter and partner Leanne along with their three managers Liam, Wendy and Rhona.
The business was started by Ron Thaxter, who ran a nursery on the opposite side of the road to the present site, growing tomatoes, cucumbers and bulbs. His in-laws, offered Ron and his wife, Celia, the use of a room in their house to sell their produce from and then started selling general groceries as well. The business gradually diversified and expanded into rose bushes and garden products which eventually developed into the garden centre, Spar shop and coffee shop we have today.
Ron ran the business up until his death in 1989 with considerable family input to the business over the years. Ron’s brother, Jack Thaxter was involved for many years. Ron’s son Richard Thaxter joined the company in the 1970’s and with help from wife Edna developed the business to what it is today. Richard’s brother Peter Thaxter joined the business in 1994 to help Richard and retired from the business in 2009.
HOUSEPLANTS
The Houseplant Department at Thaxters offers a great range of both flowering and foliage indoor plants all year round. There are tiny tots to large specimens and everything in between. For special occasions such as Mother’s Day, Valentines and Christmas we will have an increased range and we plant our own indoor baskets and arrangements to make a great gift. We can also provide a gift wrapping service to make your present that bit more special.
We have a large range of indoor ceramic and plastic pot covers to complement all your houseplants. Additionally we have specialist composts including, Orchid, Cacti and Citrus and feeds and treatments for your houseplants.
As well as looking beautiful, many houseplants provide health benefits by purifying the air and increasing humidity in the house, so it’s a win, win purchase!
OUTDOOR PLANTS
Thaxters offers a great selection of good quality, hardy plants.
Where possible we source from local growers to ensure the plants you purchase are ready to go straight outside into your garden. Throughout the Spring and Summer we are having regular deliveries of fresh stock, often weekly, so keep an eye out for new plants all the time.
As well as sections for trees, fruit, shrubs, roses, climbers, cottage garden plants and alpines, our “Plants for a Purpose” areas give ideas and help you choose plants for specific conditions or places in your garden: Shady, Sunny, Evergreens, Coastal Plants, Architectural and Plants for Wildlife.
A wonderful selection of bedding and basket plants is available in the Spring, including Fuchsias, Petunias, Geraniums, Osteospermum, Marigolds, Lobelia and Begonias. These will create a spectacular show of colour throughout the summer, often until the first frosts. From May onwards we will have a range of ready-planted hanging baskets, pots and containers ready to put straight out for instant colour.
Our seasonal offering carries through into Pansies, Cyclamen, Primroses and Wallflowers for the Autumn and Winter.
In the Autumn and Spring we have a magnificent display of individual pots of pansies for sale in the car park, they look so amazing, you can’t help but pop some in your trolley as you walk in!
We have a wide range of composts and fertilisers and our staff will be happy to advise you on the most suitable choice to complement the plants you are buying to give them the best start in life.
SEEDS, BULBS & SEASONAL VEGETABLES
We offer an extensive range of Flowering Bulbs.
Spring-flowering varieties such as Daffodils, Tulips, Crocus, Hyacinths, Snowdrops, Iris and Alliums are on sale from August and throughout the autumn. We have a comprehensive choice of both pre-packed and loose bulbs as well as Amaryllis and gift packs.
Summer flowering bulbs such as colourful Dahlias, Lilies, Gladioli, Begonias and Nerines are on sale in pre-packs from January and throughout the spring. Don’t forget you need to be buying your dry bulbs a season ahead of flowering – if they flower in Spring you plant in the Autumn and if they flower in Summer you plant in the Spring!
We stock Mr Fothergills seeds, both flowers and vegetables, and have many traditional varieties as well as more unusual and new introductions. From January, throughout the Spring, we also supply a wide range of Seed Potatoes, Onion Sets, Shallots, Garlic, Rhubarb Crowns and Asparagus for you to grow in your garden or allotment.
GARDEN CARE
Once you have your plants, their aftercare is most important and we offer everything to assist. Our garden care products range from lawn seed and weedkillers to tools and watering accessories. We have an extensive choice of composts and can offer advice to make sure you choose the right compost for your needs.
For those customers who prefer to plant up their own hanging baskets, we have everything you need:hanging baskets, ironwork hayracks and windowboxes, liners, brackets, hooks and accessories.
The trend for growing your own vegetables and fruit at home is still continuing. We have everything you need from seed trays, propagators, cloches, mini tunnels and growhouses to protective netting and tomato cages. And we have all those other little things you need such as string, greenhouse clips, wire, bamboo canes, strimmer line, thermometers, garden rubbish sacks, the list is endless…..!
pots, ornaments & statues
We hold a large range of glazed, terracotta, fibreclay and plastic pots and containers to suit all styles of garden. The selection of Malaysian glazed and terracotta pots changes regularly throughout the season with different colours, shapes and sizes.
Our plastic pots are durable but lightweight and some of the large sizes even have built in wheels to assist with moving larger plants. Especially popular are the brightly coloured single or triple plastic easy hanger which can be planted up or can hold potted plants and will hang over a fence or balcony. We have stone and white marble-look garden ornaments including statues, animals, birdbaths and oriental figures and structures.
HARD LANDSCAPING
We offer a range of bagged stones and chippings including traditional pea gravel or more the decorative options such as slate chippings, cotswold stone or Scottish cobbles.
Their numerous uses include as a mulch around plants, topping pots or for paths or driveways. We also have basic paving slabs, stepping stones and edging stones.
BIRDS, WILDLIFE & PETS
It is very advantageous to encourage birds and wildlife into the garden, both for their benefits in eating bugs that could otherwise harm your plants, and just for the joy of watching them.
We have a great choice of products to feed the birds in your garden. Feeds such as peanuts, nyjer seed and many different seed blends, as well as fat balls, mealworms, suet blocks and pellets and a wide range of feeders from simple plastic feeders to more decorative and ornate metal and wooden ones. We also stock a choice of Bird Tables, Bird Stations, Birdbaths, Nest Boxes, Hooks, Hangers and Accessories.
For those of you who are lucky enough to have hedgehogs visit your garden we stock various types of hedgehog food, feeding dishes and hedgehog houses.
For the dog lovers there are treats, toys, blankets and beds to spoil your furry friends.
GIFTS & HOME
There’s something for everyone in our gift department. We’ve got cushions and throws, ornaments, candles, silk flowers, jigsaw puzzles and craft kits.
Our clothing accessories change with the seasons with gorgeous scarves, snoods, ponchos, gloves, hats and socks to keep you warm during the winter, and sun hats, lightweight scarves and pashminas in the summer.
We also have wonderful greetings cards, gift bags and stationery and a super selection of discounted paperback books with many well-known authors.
GARDEN FURNITURE & OUTDOOR LIVING
Throughout the Spring and Summer we have a selection of decorative, lightweight, metal furniture including tea-for-two bistro sets and benches and faux rattan lounger sets. Many of these items will fold for easy storage during the winter. We have some lovely designs of bench cushions and seat pads to complement the furniture. We stock a small range of sturdy wooden benches which are ideal for people who have dexterity problems as the weight of the furniture will aid them in getting up.
Bring your garden to life as the sun goes down with something from our selection of solar lighting. With simple marker lights, crackle globes, spot lights and much stronger wall mounted lights with PIR, there is something for every need. For a more decorative look, choose from the selection of solar light bulbs, spiral lights, animal figures and Moroccan-style silhouette lanterns which cast amazing shadow on the surrounding patio, fence or lawn.
To create a real feature in the garden, choose from our selection of outdoor metal décor including mirrors and metal wall art, including tree-shaped pot holders, flowers and birds on stakes and larger animals including a rearing horse.
COFFEE SHOP
The coffee shop was founded by Edna Thaxter and opened in 1996. Edna believed that if she produced good quality homemade food that it would be a great success, and she was right. Ever since then we have kept to those same values and the coffee shop goes from strength to strength.
We have a large selection of freshly baked cakes, scones, homemade meals of the day and the recent addition of a cooked breakfast served from 9am until 2pm. There is an attractive garden with picnic tables outside. The Coffee Shop is popular both with locals and people from places as far as Peterborough and Leicester who either visit regularly or have holiday homes in the area.
Breakfast is served until 2pm. Everything from Breakfast muffins to the Full English. Traditional lunchtime meals are served noon until 2pm including Steak pie, Lasagne and Fish and Chips. Lighter bites are served until 3.30pm Quiche, Jacket potatoes, Salads, Paninis and Sandwiches. Great selection of homemade scones and cakes available throughout the day.
Home cooked Sunday Roast served noon until 2pm every Sunday.
AFTERNOON TEA
Indulge yourself with a Luxury afternoon tea for two
Your choice of sandwich fillings on locally baked white or wholemeal bread, homemade quiche, sausage rolls, a selection of homemade cakes, freshly baked scones with clotted cream with a pot of tea or coffee or one cold drink of your choice.
Without wine - £19 pp
With wine - £25 pp
Reservation is essential. Gift vouchers are also available.
For larger purchases or to make life easier, we offer a local delivery service for a small charge. We use our own van and delivery driver to ensure our high level of quality customer service is carried out to your door.
National Garden Centre Gift Cards
Ideal if you are unsure what to buy someone or need a present for someone further afield, why not buy a gift card. We also accept them along with most other garden centres across the UK.
We are Dog Friendly in the Garden Centre and although they are not allowed inside the Coffee Shop, we have outdoor seating available.
CHRISTMAS AT THAXTERS
From October, the garden centre gains a magical Christmas Department. Set up in themes there is something to suit every taste. As well as simply decorations for the tree, we have ornaments, festive flowers, wreathes and garlands. Our themes also include some great gift ideas for the home including vases, candle holders, tableware, throws and cushions.
From late November our real Christmas trees with be on sale. We stock the low needle-drop Nordman Fir, traditional Norway Spruce and Fraser Firs in cut trees.
