Tarn Road Nursery,Brampton
Just as it should be, at Tarn Road Nursery, family is at the heart of Christmas.
From choosing the tree together, to sipping hot chocolate while it is freshly chopped down, a trip to the Brampton garden centre is about a true Christmas experience.
The centrepiece of the celebrations, nothing brings festive cheer like thoughts of baubles dangling and lights twinkling, but with the abundance of artificial versions out there, the joy that a real tree can bring at Christmas often gets overlooked. At Tarn Road Nursery however, picking the Christmas tree a special occasion in itself.
While there are pre-cut trees to choose from, what makes a real treat, is venturing into the forest as a family and choosing the perfect one fresh from the floor.
Volunteer Will Brown believes there’s no comparison with a real Christmas tree, he explained: “It’s the unique smell and actually being able to see the tree and get it cut down just for you. It’s bringing back the old fashioned values and doing something together as a family.”
Currently stocked with winter alpines, seasonal shrubs and homegrown bedding, Tarn Road Nursery has been operating for almost 40 years, but was recently taken over by new owner Tracey Glasson, who has big plans for the site.
Will said: “We’re completely revamping it and it’s a work in progress. But we’re all about community and old fashioned values. We get to know our customers, carry stuff out to the car for them, silly little things like that.”
Will and Tracey have had a few late nights recently, converting a small outhouse into a picture-perfect vintage tea room. Named after Tracey’s beloved late Grandma Joan, the couple’s firm family values and sense of community are reflected throughout. The home-cooked food, made from locally sourced ingredients and cosy atmosphere, is nothing less than you would expect from a visit to Grandma’s.
Will said: “We try and source locally as much as we can, we make everything on site and we’re hoping that come spring time we will be planting up our own vegetables for a farm shop.”
Tracey also sells her handmade crafts and jewellery and the garden centre has its very own Christmas shop, decked out with beautiful, handcrafted decorations.
To find the real meaning of Christmas and instil that festive feeling in the whole family, Tarn Road Nursery is a good place to start.
For more information contact 016977 41804 and follow @tarnroadnursery on Facebook.
