There is many a garden centre with a tea shop or a restaurant that can turn a visit to buy plants into something special. Here are a few notable places to take tea and cake.

Wentworth Garden Centre This is a great long-standing, family-owned independent garden centre that has grown from a tiny village operation into one of the largest garden centres in Yorkshire today. Their Walled Garden restaurant is a must with a wide selection of dishes including a fine afternoon tea. The garden centre is in the village of Wentworth, five minutes from J35 of the M1 within touching distance of Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield. wentworthgardencentre.co.uk 01226 744842

Whiteleys Garden Centre This has an award-winning café with its own pastry chef so already wins our vote. Everything is prepared on the premises so food is served fresh everyday. The menu includes breakfast, lunch, tea and a Sunday carvery. Afternoon tea for two looks good with warm scones and range of pastries. Find Whiteleys on Leeds Road, Mirfield near Huddersfield. whiteleys-gc.co.uk 01924 495944

Thirsk Garden Centre Here is a garden centre with a coffee shop that serves a great breakfast menu including eggs Benedict, full English and even a vegetarian option. Meals for children include omelette served with salad, beans or coleslaw. There is cake and coffee too of course. Find the garden centre on Blakey Lane thirskgardencentre.co.uk 01845 523032

RHS Harlow Carr Gardens Here is a real gem of a garden centre with Bettys Café and Coffee Shop that overlooks the gardens. Definitely a destination garden centre with a full Bettys menu plus a Bettys shop where you can buy from a range of cakes and gifts. Takeaway hot and cold drinks, sandwiches and cakes too. bettys.co.uk 01423 505604

Castle Howard Garden Centre Another destination garden centre that just so happens to be part of one of Yorkshire’s great historic country houses. There are four restaurants and cafes so plenty of choice including hot and cold meals at the self-service licensed Fitzroy Room, bistro-style licensed Courtyard Café plus takeout specialist coffee together with cake and sandwiches and ice cream from the Coffee Shop and Boathouse Café. castlehoward.co.uk Garden Centre 01653 648668

Victoria Farm Garden Centre This is a small family run garden centre with café that has views over Whitby including Whitby Abbey. The café offers home-cooked style food. It’s worth calling in to relax a while and enjoy the views. Find the garden centre on Guisborough Road Google+ page 01947 825418

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