Northants Uncovered usually shines a light on independent shopping, but every now and then a bigger name deserves a nod — especially when a space has been thoughtfully curated rather than simply scaled up.
by the Editorial Team.
If you haven’t yet visited Blue Diamond’s Harlestone Heath Garden Centre recently, you really should. More than just a place to pick up plants, it’s a garden centre, lifestyle store and café rolled into one — and done with a surprising amount of care.
Formerly Dobbies, the site just a stone’s throw from Harlestone Firs, was taken over by the Blue Diamond Group last March. It’s the same company that owns Beckworth Emporium Garden Centre. Now the UK’s largest and most profitable garden centre operator, Blue Diamond has built its reputation on acquiring established centres and investing heavily in their transformation — and it shows here.
From the moment you walk through the doors, the layout gently guides you on a journey through the space. The first stop is the indoor plant section, which feels brighter, calmer and more inviting than before, encouraging a leisurely browse rather than a rushed dash for essentials.
From there, the flow moves naturally into the lifestyle area. Shelves are thoughtfully curated with homeware, gifts and seasonal pieces that feel considered rather than cluttered. It’s very much the kind of place where you go in for compost and leave with a candle, a cushion and a woolly hat.
Enticing displays feature scented wax melts, ginger and lemon hand and bath gels, beautifully bound books and other tactile items that practically demand to be picked up and examined.
Then there’s the café — familiar, but noticeably more inviting than it once was. While you might not immediately be able to put your finger on what’s changed, visitors have been quick to praise the food, from warming soups and generous Sunday roasts to those much-talked-about chunky chips.
The Harlestone Heath site was one of three former Dobbies centres acquired by Blue Diamond, all taken on with new leases and no purchase premium. This allowed for significant reinvestment, with each centre closing temporarily for refurbishment. Harlestone Heath reopened on 24 March 2025.
The result is a garden centre that feels refreshed, calmer and genuinely enjoyable to browse — whether you’re a keen gardener, a homeware magpie, or simply in the mood for a potter and a coffee after a walk at nearby Harlestone Firs.
Harlestone Heath Garden Centre can be found at Harlestone Road,
Northampton, NN5 6UJ
If you know a shop that deserves a shout out get in touch and let us know why.
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