HCGC is a unique community-led project, established 20 years ago and underpinned by organic principles, promoting sustainability through best horticultural practice and a respect for the environment. Our dedicated professional team are committed to promoting well-being through gardening, bringing specialist knowledge to best help and advise you. We encourage a wide and diverse range of wildlife into our 2 acre site and can help you share your urban and suburban environments.
Our mission is to bring communities together through gardening. As a not-for-profit organisation we offer home-produced plants for the local community. We are foremost a volunteer and education hub, promoting horticulture and sustainability to schools, colleges and communities. We provide opportunities for individuals and groups, promoting a sense of well-being and offering benefits to health, through enjoyment of our safe, inclusive and inspiring space. A place to relax, learn and play.
All our herbs, fruit and veg are potted-up and grown-on in organic, animal-free compost. All sourced quality plants are grown in organic compost where possible. We use local suppliers and support independent and small businesses wherever possible. We never use synthetic fertilisers, hormones or pesticides. Any site peat is naturally river and lake washed, not dug from precious bogs. We limit the use of plastics and recycle wherever possible.
We are open Monday to Saturdays 10am to 5pm
Sundays and Bank Holidays 10.30am to 4.30pm
We also host quarterly community events, plus a range of courses and workshops. Check out our webiste for more details.
For sale:
- Perennial, alpine, pond and vegetable plants
- Fruit trees
- Seeds, seed potatoes and bulbs
- Weigh your own birdfood
- Refills of washing up liquid, soap, laundry detergent, shampoo etc
- Peat free and ethical compost
- Teracotta pots
- Ethical and locally sourced gifts
Features on site:
Forest and biodiversity garden, reciprocal roof info hut, strawbale classroom, woodland area, wildlife pond, polytunnels, clay pizza oven, childrens play area, perennial, alpine, fruit and veg plants for sale, carpentry workshop, retail area made from shipping containers, cafe, plant nursery, veg bag pick up point.
Volunteering:
We have a regular weekly gardening session for volunteers on Wednesday, plus a woodworking volunteer day on a Tuesday. Please fill in a volunteer application form on our website if you would like to volunteer with us and we will be in touch to arrange an induction.
Available to hire:
We have several spaces available to hire at the garden centre including the whole community garden itself. We also offer corporate challenge days. Please get in touch if you would like to know more.
Strawbale Classroom
- £35 per hour
- Large indoor space ideal for meetings, gatherings and workshops.
- Electricity
- Projector provided
- Free Wifi
- Brewing facilities
- Whiteboard / Flipchart
Community Polytunnel
- £35 per hour
- Large covered space ideal for meetings, children’s parties and social gatherings.
- Hire includes:
- Electricity
- Free Wifi
- Brewing facilities
- Whiteboard / Flipchart
- Strawbale seating
- Tropical atmosphere
Marquee
- £35 per hour
- Electricity
- Bench Seating