Carpenders Park Garden Centre
ENTRY
Free
WHERE
Watford
What it’s like
Free to wander in, with a pumpkin patch that goes after-dark in October and kids' gardening tools to try in the shop.
You don't pay to walk in. The centre is a garden centre with a restaurant, and the bit children actually remember is the pumpkin patch, which opens on 3rd October and runs evening Pumpkin Nights sessions through October. The after-dark slots are the ones to save for last if your lot are old enough to still be going at bedtime, and they're built around photo stops as much as picking. Out of October there's no pumpkin patch, so it's a shop and a café rather than a day out.
In the shop there are kids' gardening tools, which is a nice thing to hand a five-year-old who wants to do what you're doing rather than trail behind you. Beyond that it's browsing and eating, so plan it as an hour or so rather than an afternoon, unless you're stopping for a proper meal.
Food is on site, with a restaurant and café and afternoon tea served out in the garden. Dogs are welcome under the centre's dog friendly policy, which makes it an easy stop if the walk is the main event.
Parking is free on site. Opening is 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday, and 10am to 4pm on Sunday, so a Sunday visit is a shorter window than you might assume. If you're buying furniture or a BBQ, they price match against an identical in-stock item at a competitor once delivery and assembly are included, but only before you buy, so ask at the till rather than after.
Facilities
Need to know
- Parking
- Free on site
- Food
- On-site restaurant/café. Afternoon tea served in the garden
- Dogs
- The centre has a Dog Friendly Policy
- Pumpkin Nights is the October evening session, and it's the part with the photo stops
- Sunday closes at 4pm, three and a half hours earlier than a weekday
- Kids' gardening tools are stocked in the shop if you want them to join in at home
Plan your visit
How much does it cost to get in?
Entry is free. You pay for whatever you buy in the shop, restaurant or pumpkin patch.
When is the pumpkin patch open?
It opens on 3rd October and is a seasonal October event, with day sessions and Pumpkin Nights evening sessions. Outside October there isn't one.
What time are you open?
8.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday, and 10am to 4pm on Sunday.
Do we need to book?
Nothing in the listing says you need to book for a normal visit. If you want a Pumpkin Nights slot in October, sort that out ahead.
Is there parking?
Free parking on site.
Can we eat there?
There's a restaurant and café on site, and afternoon tea is served in the garden. It's a decent way to make the trip last longer than the shopping.
Can we bring the dog?
Dogs are welcome, the centre runs a dog friendly policy.
Do you price match?
On garden furniture and BBQ items only, when the identical item is in stock at the competitor at a price that includes delivery and assembly. It has to be before you buy, not after.
Featured in 2 Huddlepin lists
See all Board Game & Play Cafés in Northwood · Things to do in Northwood
MAKE A DAY OF IT
