About Trowell Garden Centre

A Family Business Growing by Generation

As a family Garden Centre business our roots stem from a passion for plants, we endeavour to continue to offer our customers quality plants and products, whilst giving them first-class customer service. Over the years our product range has expanded to give our customers more choice and with the addition of our family friendly Digg Cafe in 2014 we have been able to provide an attractive place to meet and eat.

Our 40 Year Roots

Trowell is an independently family run Garden Centre. It all began in the summer of 1976 when David and Barbara Henshaw started selling a few plants from the site of two old lock keepers cottages alongside the old Nottingham Canal in the village of Trowell, (which is known for the 1951 Festival of Britain Village) and is located between Nottingham and Derby. At that time David who had been trained at Oaklands Horticultural College had a Landscaping business under the name of Notts County Nurseries and was assisted by his father Arthur a former maths teacher and RAF veteran.
Word soon spread that it was the place to get sound advice and buy compost and plants at value prices, so it wasn't long before a steady stream of customers made their journey up the tiny lane and over the railway bridge to make their purchases.

Growing The Business

As business grew, a decision was made in which David sold his landscape business to enable the couple to concentrate on the selling of plants and compost. In 1985 the business changed its name to Trowell Garden Centre. It was during the 1980's and 1990's the business began to expand both in size and new products, new glasshouses were added to the existing ones to create a larger retail area, and a small cafe added. Retail products offered at Trowell began to include a range of Home & Lifestyle products, plus a fantastic Christmas display, establishing what would become one of Trowell's most successful and favourite times of year.
The business under David and Barbara's guidance thrived, with improvements to the large Plant Area which backs onto a sandstone quarry and a relocation of the delivery yard.

2010 - Present

Since 2010 the second generation of the family – Michael, Elizabeth and Husband Mark- have become involved in the running of Trowell. In 2014 we opened our Digg Cafe and more recently have improved access by widening the tiny lane. The new generation are helping to improve and shape the future of Trowell with their exciting new initiatives, building on over 40 years experience.