Brighton is a densely built city, which means traditional garden centres within the city limits are limited. The good news is that the options that do exist are genuinely worth visiting, and a short drive takes you to some of the best independent plant centres in Sussex.
This guide covers the real garden centres in Brighton and nearby, with honest notes on what each stocks, whether the café is any good, and which ones justify making a trip of it.
Table of Contents
Garden centres in Brighton and nearby at a glance
| Garden centre | Location | Type | Café | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One Garden Brighton | Stanmer Park | Walled garden, plant market, events | Yes, One Kitchen | Inspiration, events, families, free entry |
| Mayberry Garden Centre | Portslade, Old Shoreham Road | Independent garden centre, Tates of Sussex | Yes, The Coffee Shop | Urban gardeners, city-based convenience |
| Dobbies Garden Centre | Brighton Marina / Warren Road | Chain garden centre | Yes | Wide range, weekend browse |
| Between Two Thorns | Trafalgar Street | Houseplant specialist | No | Indoor plants, workshops, gifts |
| Rushfields Plant Centre | Poynings | Independent, family-owned plant centre | Yes, plus farm shop | Serious gardeners, quality plants, day out |
| Paradise Park Garden Centre | Newhaven | Garden centre and visitor attraction, Tates of Sussex | Yes | Families, day out, miniature railway |
| Moulsecoomb Forest Garden | Moulsecoomb | Community garden project | No café | Community volunteering, wildlife, sustainability |
In Brighton and Hove
One Garden Brighton
This is the most interesting garden-related destination in the city. One Garden Brighton is a restored walled garden in Stanmer Park, free to enter and managed by Plumpton College.
The gardens combine heritage growing with contemporary show gardens and planting inspiration for modern spaces. It is genuinely useful for getting ideas you can take home, especially if you are working with a smaller city garden, awkward soil or changing weather conditions.
Plants are available to buy from the plant market, alongside local produce and gifts. One Kitchen is a proper destination café overlooking the gardens, serving seasonal dishes, cakes and coffee.
They run regular events, workshops and family activities, so it is worth checking what is on before you visit. If you are looking for garden centres in Brighton that offer more than just buying plants, this is the standout.
Getting there: Stanmer Park, accessible by bus, bike or car. Parking is available in Stanmer Park.
Mayberry Garden Centre
Mayberry is the most accessible traditional garden centre in Brighton and Hove, located on Old Shoreham Road in Portslade.
It is part of the Tates of Sussex group and stocks a well-curated range of plants, compost, tools, pots, garden furniture, gifts and garden accessories. It is especially useful for city gardeners who want practical options without driving far out of town.
Expect seasonal bedding, shrubs, patio plants, balcony-friendly ideas, houseplants and the usual garden essentials. It is not the biggest garden centre in Sussex, but it is one of the easiest to use if you live in Brighton or Hove.
The Coffee Shop at Mayberry serves homemade meals, cakes, cream teas and barista coffee, which turns a plant run into a proper morning out.
Getting there: Old Shoreham Road, Portslade. It is close to Portslade station and has parking on site.
Dobbies Garden Centre
Dobbies at Brighton Marina is a national chain, but the Brighton branch is still useful if you want a broad range in one place.
The plant selection usually covers houseplants, seasonal bedding, shrubs, garden accessories, pots, compost, tools and outdoor living. It is more functional than charming, but sometimes that is exactly what you need.
The restaurant serves breakfasts, lunches, cakes, drinks and afternoon tea. Reviews of chain garden centre cafés can vary, but the convenience, parking and range make Dobbies a practical option for a weekend browse.
If you are already at the Marina, it is worth a look.
Getting there: Brighton Marina / Warren Road. Bus or car. Parking is available nearby.
Between Two Thorns
Between Two Thorns is not a garden centre in the traditional sense, but it is Brighton’s go-to specialist for houseplants.
The shop specialises in hand-selected indoor plants, pots, plant care accessories and houseplant workshops. It is a strong choice if you want something more interesting than the standard supermarket houseplant, or if you need advice before buying.
They run plant-based workshops covering indoor plant care and creative projects, making it a good option for gifts, birthdays or anyone who wants to learn how not to kill another calathea.
There is no café, but the shop itself is a lovely browse.
Getting there: Trafalgar Street, Brighton. Check opening times before making a special trip.
Worth the drive
Rushfields Plant Centre
If you are willing to drive out of Brighton, Rushfields at Poynings is one of the strongest garden centres within easy reach of the city.
It is independent, family-owned and set at the foot of the South Downs. This is a proper plant centre with experienced staff and a range that goes well beyond the smaller city options.
They stock outdoor plants, shrubs, perennials, seasonal bedding, houseplants, garden essentials and locally sourced produce through the farm shop. Rushfields also grows many of its own plants on site, which adds to the appeal if you prefer buying from people who really understand what they are selling.
The café is a draw in its own right, serving breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, cakes, hot drinks and options for vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets.
Among garden centres in Brighton’s wider area, Rushfields is one of the best choices for serious gardeners.
Getting there: Poynings, at the foot of the South Downs. Best reached by car from Brighton.
Paradise Park Garden Centre
Paradise Park Garden Centre in Newhaven is part of the Tates of Sussex group, the same family business as Mayberry.
The garden centre itself is large and well-stocked, with indoor and outdoor plants, garden products, furniture, homeware, gifts and tools. It is a useful option if you want a bigger range than the city-centre choices.
What makes it different is everything else on site. Paradise Park has landscaped gardens with lakes, waterfalls and fountains, as well as family attractions including a miniature railway, play areas and other activities.
The coffee shop overlooks the gardens and miniature railway, making it a good choice if you want to turn a garden centre trip into a family day out.
Getting there: Newhaven. Best reached by car from Brighton, or by train to Newhaven followed by a short onward journey.
Community gardening
Moulsecoomb Forest Garden and Wildlife Project
Moulsecoomb Forest Garden and Wildlife Project is not a garden centre, but it is worth including for anyone interested in community growing, wildlife and sustainability.
This volunteer-run project supports organic growing, composting, wildlife gardening and biodiversity. It has grown from a small community project into a well-established space with food growing areas, wildlife habitats, ponds, beehives and an eco cabin used for learning and events.
It is a good way to learn practical skills, meet like-minded people and contribute to something meaningful in the city. Check their website or social media for current session times and how to get involved.
FAQs
Are there many garden centres in Brighton itself?
Honestly, not many. Brighton is compact and densely built, so there is limited space for large garden centres. Mayberry in Portslade and Dobbies at the Marina are the main traditional options within the city. One Garden Brighton in Stanmer Park is the most interesting horticultural destination. For the biggest range, Rushfields and Paradise Park are worth the drive.
Which garden centre near Brighton has the best café?
One Garden Brighton’s One Kitchen is the strongest for setting, with seasonal food in a restored walled garden. Rushfields is also excellent, with a café and farm shop at the foot of the South Downs. Mayberry’s Coffee Shop is a solid choice for homemade meals, cakes and barista coffee.
Where can I buy houseplants in Brighton?
Between Two Thorns is the specialist. Mayberry Garden Centre also stocks houseplants, and Dobbies has a broad houseplant section too.
Are there garden centres in Brighton that run workshops?
Yes. One Garden Brighton runs regular workshops, family events and seasonal activities. Between Two Thorns offers indoor plant workshops. Moulsecoomb Forest Garden runs community growing and sustainability sessions. Rushfields also runs seasonal activity through the year, so check direct before visiting.
Which garden centre near Brighton is best for families?
Paradise Park in Newhaven is the strongest family day out because it combines a garden centre with gardens, a miniature railway, play areas and visitor attractions. One Garden Brighton is also family-friendly, with free entry, open space and events in Stanmer Park.
Can I get garden centre deliveries in Brighton?
Yes, but delivery areas and charges vary. Mayberry offers delivery for larger items locally. Between Two Thorns delivers houseplants. Paradise Park, Dobbies and Rushfields may be able to arrange delivery for bulky purchases, but check directly before buying.
Which garden centre is best if I do not drive?
Mayberry is one of the easiest traditional garden centres to reach without a car because it is close to Portslade station. One Garden Brighton can be reached by bus, bike or car through Stanmer Park. Between Two Thorns is central and easiest for houseplants.
Final thoughts
The garden centres in Brighton will not compete with the huge out-of-town centres you find elsewhere in Sussex, but what is here has character.
One Garden Brighton is unlike anywhere else in the city: a proper horticultural destination hidden in Stanmer Park. Mayberry keeps urban gardeners stocked without leaving Brighton and Hove. Between Two Thorns is ideal for houseplants. And if you can travel a little further, Rushfields and Paradise Park are both worth the trip.
Start with what you need: inspiration, plants, houseplants, practical garden supplies or a family day out, then pick accordingly.
If you want to make more of the trip, our best parks in Brighton guide includes Stanmer Park, while our free things to do in Brighton guide has more low-cost local ideas. For a coffee stop before or after, our best cafes in Brighton guide is also useful.an spare 15–20 minutes in the car, Rushfields and Paradise Park are both worth the trip. Start with what you need — inspiration, plants or a family day out — and pick accordingly.
