The outdoor plants area has a relatively small area under cover and most is open to the elements. The layout is an uninteresting set of straight but wide paths.

The area is made more pleasant by a backdrop of mature trees indicating the time this garden centre has existed.

It's easy to find your way to specific plants or specific plant areas. Not only are the overhead signs large and clear (see left) but there is an overall plan of the entire are (see right). Many of the large garden centres should imitate this.

The range of plants is very good, this is a large garden centre. As well as the standard varieties, Longacres Garden specialise in several areas. Areas they excel in include topiary, fruit and ornamental trees, conifers, plants for shade and several others.

In the middle of the plants centre is an unmanned (at the time of our visit) advice centre with good reference books and leaflets. The staff are very helpful and knowledgeable, they answered our gardening questions with no problems.

NOTE: Price comparisons are based on the prices we find at the time of our visit. We compare to them average prices in the same year as the date of the review.