Garden & Home Directory
The Best Garden & Home Addresses in the North of England
The North of England is a place of great landscapes and great gardens: the Lakes, the Dales and the Moors, Alnwick, Harlow Carr and the new RHS Bridgewater, with Harrogate, York and Cheshire for paint, kitchens and antiques. Here are the best in each category.
Gardens to Visit
The Alnwick Garden
Alnwick, Northumberland
A grand, ambitious garden designed by Jacques and Peter Wirtz to the Duchess of Northumberland's vision, with spectacular water features and geometric ornamental gardens. Pre-booking is now essential.
See details →RHS Garden Harlow Carr
Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Voted the best garden in the North East by Garden News readers, known for its lavish prairie-style Main Borders and the moisture-loving plants of Streamside.
See details →RHS Garden Bridgewater
Worsley, Salford, Greater Manchester
The RHS's fifth garden, opened in 2021 on 154 acres of the former Worsley New Hall estate, with the 11-acre Weston Walled Garden at its heart.
See details →Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden
Near Ripon, North Yorkshire (National Trust)
A World Heritage Site where John Aislabie laid out Georgian water gardens, ponds, statues and follies beside the abbey ruins in the 18th century.
See details →Levens Hall
Near Kendal, Cumbria
Twelve acres of gardens famous for their topiary, including chess-piece shapes, with rose and herb gardens and an orchard.
See details →Arley Hall and Gardens
Near Northwich, Cheshire
An RHS partner garden whose double herbaceous border, shown on a plan of 1846, is believed to be the first of its kind planted in England.
See details →Tatton Park Japanese Garden
Knutsford, Cheshire
Created in 1910 and widely called the finest Japanese garden in Britain, with a Shinto shrine, a thatched tea house and a bridge over the Golden Brook; usually seen on guided walks.
See details →Ness Botanic Gardens
Neston, Wirral, Cheshire
Founded by Arthur Bulley in 1898 and given to the University of Liverpool in 1948, rich in plants from collectors such as George Forrest, with views over the Dee estuary.
See details →Holker Hall & Gardens
Cark-in-Cartmel, near Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria
Some 25 acres of woodland and formal gardens, with a Thomas Mawson rose garden, a walled kitchen garden and National Plant Collections; an RHS partner garden.
See details →Belsay Hall Quarry Garden
Belsay, Northumberland (English Heritage)
A romantic garden of ravines and sheer rock faces, cut where the stone for the hall was quarried, whose sheltered microclimate grows tender plants far beyond their usual northern limit.
See details →
Countryside
Lake District National Park
Cumbria
One of the most celebrated national parks in the world, where more than a dozen large lakes lie among the fells.
See details →Yorkshire Dales National Park
North Yorkshire and Cumbria
Drystone walls, limestone pavements and the hills of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, across some 1,762 square kilometres.
See details →North York Moors National Park
North Yorkshire
Designated in 1952, it holds the largest expanse of heather moorland in the United Kingdom.
See details →Northumberland National Park
Northumberland
Wild hills and valleys within the Northumberland International Dark Sky Park, one of the largest areas of protected night sky in Europe.
See details →Hadrian's Wall Path
Wallsend to Bowness-on-Solway
An 84-mile National Trail, opened in 2003, following the line of the Roman wall coast to coast across northern England.
See details →Forest of Bowland National Landscape
Lancashire and North Yorkshire
Some 803 square kilometres of gritstone fells and heather moorland, designated in 1964, nationally important for breeding hen harriers and merlins.
See details →Northumberland Coast National Landscape
Berwick-upon-Tweed to Amble, Northumberland
A narrow strip of coast, some 40 miles long and designated in 1958, with Bamburgh at its heart.
See details →Arnside & Silverdale National Landscape
Cumbria–Lancashire border
Low limestone hills, woods and salt marsh beside Morecambe Bay, designated in 1972, with rare butterflies such as the high brown fritillary.
See details →The Pennine Way
Edale, Derbyshire to Kirk Yetholm, Scottish Borders
Britain's first National Trail, opened in 1965: 268 miles along the backbone of England.
See details →Wainwright's Coast to Coast
St Bees to Robin Hood's Bay
Around 190 miles through the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors, being upgraded to a National Trail; walkers dip their boots in the sea at each end.
See details →
Garden Centres
The GuideBritain's Love Affair with Garden Centres: History, Horticulture & the Best Days OutHow the garden centre was born, the family firms behind the best of them, and how to get the most from your visitRead our guide: Britain's Love of Garden Centres →Bents Garden & Home
Glazebury, near Warrington, Cheshire
Begun in 1937 when Alfred and Margaret Bent sold roses from their front garden; named the Garden Centre Association's North Destination Garden Centre of the Year in 2026.
See details →Gordale Garden & Home Centre
Burton, Wirral, Cheshire
A long-established, family-owned garden and home centre set in 15 acres of landscaped grounds, with a food hall and coffee shop; a runner-up in the GCA's 2026 North destination awards.
See details →Barton Grange Garden Centre
Brock, near Preston, Lancashire
Opened by HRH Princess Anne in 2008, with plants, home decor, a farm shop and restaurant; a runner-up in the GCA's 2026 North destination awards.
See details →Fairways Garden Centre
Macclesfield, Cheshire
A runner-up for the Garden Centre Association's North Local Garden Centre of the Year in 2026.
See details →Tong Garden Centre
Tong, Bradford, West Yorkshire
One of Yorkshire's biggest independent garden centres, on a 17-acre site, named the GCA's best in the North East for Christmas displays six times.
See details →Cowell's Garden Centre
Woolsington, Newcastle upon Tyne
An independent, family-owned garden centre and nursery since 1978, and a GCA North runner-up in 2025.
See details →Moss & Moor
Ilkley, West Yorkshire
Host of the GCA North awards in 2025 and a runner-up for the region's Garden Centre of the Year in 2026.
See details →Wentworth Garden Centre
Wentworth, near Rotherham, South Yorkshire
The largest garden centre in Yorkshire by turnover.
See details →Dean's Garden Centre
York
Opened by Ken and Margaret Dean in 1968, with a large greenhouse of plants and gardening goods.
See details →Klondyke Stringers
Doncaster, South Yorkshire
A tidy, attractive centre, and a runner-up for the GCA's North Local Garden Centre of the Year in 2026.
See details →Crocus
Online · delivers UK-wide · crocus.co.uk
Often called the UK's biggest gardening website, and a favourite all-rounder for plants delivered to the door.
See details →Thompson & Morgan
Online · delivers UK-wide · thompson-morgan.com
The UK's largest mail-order seed and plant company.
See details →David Austin Roses
Online · delivers UK-wide · davidaustinroses.co.uk
English roses straight from the famous Shropshire rose grower, potted or bare-root in season.
See details →
Interior Shops
The GuideBritish Interior Style and Where to Shop for It: From Liberty to the Best IndependentsWhat makes a British interior, the great stores that shaped it, the independents worth a detour, and how to shop for a lookRead our guide: British Interior Style →Arighi Bianchi
Macclesfield, Cheshire
A family furniture business founded in 1854, in a Grade II* listed cast-iron and glass showroom inspired by the Crystal Palace, with interior design services and Caffè AB.
See details →Form Lifestyle Store
Northern Quarter, Manchester
Tucked down a side alley, a stylish edit of homeware from independent makers.
See details →IDAHO
Altrincham, Greater Manchester
Opposite Altrincham Market, a well-curated gift and homeware shop with a Scandi, minimal feel, trading for over a decade.
See details →Owl & Monkey
Heslington Road, York
A home and lifestyle boutique mixing vintage and contemporary pieces, with goods from small UK makers.
See details →Snowhome
Gillygate, York
An independent design store for storage, design-led gifts and gadgets, a cult favourite with York's creatives.
See details →Susie Watson Designs
Montpellier Gardens, Harrogate
A showroom in the Montpellier Quarter among the town's independents, where the designers give interiors advice; closed on Sundays.
See details →27 West Park Antiques & Home Interiors
Harrogate, North Yorkshire
A mix of antiques and distinctive home interiors in Harrogate.
See details →Nora's Interiors and Gifts
Ilkley, West Yorkshire
Beautiful and unusual gifts for the home, many from independent British designers.
See details →French and Wilder
St Mary's Chare, Hexham, Northumberland
Designer Nathan Wilder's shop of French antiques, brocante finds and his own designs.
See details →Lore
Market Street, Hexham, Northumberland
A homeware and gift shop inspired by fables and folklore.
See details →Rockett St George
Online · delivers UK-wide · rockettstgeorge.co.uk
The online interiors store founded in 2007 by Jane Rockett and Lucy St George, known for eclectic style and bold designs.
See details →Cox & Cox
Online · delivers UK-wide · coxandcox.co.uk
Homeware and lighting chosen in Frome, Somerset, delivered across the UK.
See details →OKA
Online · delivers UK-wide · oka.com
A go-to for rattan garden furniture and statement lighting.
See details →
Paint Suppliers
The GuideBritain's Love of Heritage Paint & Wallpaper: The Makers, the Colours and How to ChooseThe heritage paint makers, the story of British wallpaper from Pugin to William Morris, and how to choose and sample a colourRead our guide: Heritage Paint & Wallpaper →Farrow & Ball Harrogate
Harrogate, North Yorkshire
The paint and wallpaper maker's Yorkshire showroom, open seven days a week.
See details →Farrow & Ball Manchester
Manchester city centre
The Manchester showroom, near Deansgate and Spinningfields; call ahead for hours.
See details →Little Greene Wilmslow
Alderley Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire
Close to the company's Manchester headquarters: a colour wall of the full palette, painted brush-out boards, wallpaper books and expert advice.
See details →Neptune York
Malton Road, York
Neptune's own paint collection, in a converted former pub about 20 minutes from the city centre.
See details →Aberford Interiors
Aberford, West Yorkshire
A stockist of Farrow & Ball paint, with a large selection to buy from stock.
See details →Chapel Interiors
Wilmslow, Cheshire
An extensive range of designer wallpaper and paint, including Little Greene, in its Wilmslow shop.
See details →Brewers Newcastle
Shieldfield, Newcastle upon Tyne
A decorator centre stocking Farrow & Ball, Little Greene and Paint & Paper Library.
See details →Brewers Durham
Belmont, Durham
Farrow & Ball, Mylands, Zoffany and Paint & Paper Library, with Little Greene tinted in store.
See details →Brewers Birkenhead
Birkenhead, Merseyside
A Brewers decorator centre chosen by Farrow & Ball as a Premium Stockist.
See details →Robinson & Neal
Chester and Liverpool
A family-owned wallpaper and paint business established in 1899, with branches in Chester, Liverpool and Birkenhead.
See details →Edward Bulmer Natural Paint
Online · delivers UK-wide · edwardbulmerpaint.co.uk
Order a colour chart, painted A5 swatches or 60ml sample pots online, then your paint, with a calculator to work out how much you need. UK delivery.
See details →
Curtains & Blinds
The GuideCurtains, Blinds & Shutters: Britain's Window Dressing Traditions and How to ChooseFrom chintz and William Morris to the made-to-measure workrooms of today, and how to choose curtains, blinds and shuttersRead our guide: Curtains, Blinds & Shutters →David James Interiors
Roundhay, Leeds
A family-run business specialising in made-to-measure curtains, blinds, wallcoverings and accessories.
See details →Blind Factory
Leeds
A family-run maker of made-to-measure roller, Roman, venetian and vertical blinds from its own factory in the heart of Leeds.
See details →Tailored Shutters & Blinds
Wetherby, West Yorkshire
An experienced family-run business covering Wetherby, Leeds, Harrogate and York.
See details →The Grove Blind & Shutter Co.
Tyldesley, Greater Manchester
A family-owned business supplying and fitting made-to-measure blinds, curtains and plantation shutters across Greater Manchester and Cheshire.
See details →Amanda Baker Soft Furnishings
Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne
Founded in 2002, a workroom making made-to-measure curtains, with advice on window dressings and colour schemes.
See details →Chiltern Mills
Leeds, West Yorkshire
A long-established family business with a made-to-measure curtain, blind and awning department.
See details →Susie Watson Designs Harrogate
Montpellier Gardens, Harrogate
Made-to-measure curtains and blinds, with resident designers for everything from cushions to a full interior design service.
See details →Country Fabrics
Pannal, Harrogate, North Yorkshire
A home-visit service for curtain fabrics, curtain making, blinds and upholstery, with a fabric sample service.
See details →Sofas & Stuff Knutsford
Knutsford, Cheshire
More than 200 house and designer fabric books on display, including RHS and V&A collaborations.
See details →Vanilla Interiors
Tadcaster, North Yorkshire
A maker and installer of custom-made curtains since 2007, a member of Made in Britain.
See details →Sewing House
Online · delivers UK-wide · sewinghouse.co.uk
Curtains, blinds and cushions made to order in the UK.
See details →Closs & Hamblin
Online · delivers UK-wide · candh.co.uk
Over 90 years of made-to-measure window dressings, now with made-to-measure curtains and Roman blinds online.
See details →British Made Interiors
Online · delivers UK-wide · britishmadeinteriors.com
Made to measure in about 20 working days, with a 10-year guarantee.
See details →The Home of Interiors
Online · delivers UK-wide · thehomeofinteriors.co.uk
An independent online retailer of high-quality made-to-measure curtains.
See details →Blinds2Go
Online · delivers UK-wide · blinds2go.co.uk
A good-value choice for made-to-measure blinds.
See details →
Kitchen Design
The GuideThe British Kitchen: From the Victorian Range to the Shaker Revival, and How to Choose YoursFrom the Victorian range and the Aga to the Shaker revival, the makers behind the British kitchen and how to choose a kitchen studioRead our guide: The British Kitchen →Tom Howley Harrogate
Harrogate, North Yorkshire
One of Tom Howley's showrooms of hand-crafted kitchens; browse without an appointment, seven days a week.
See details →Harvey Jones Harrogate
Harrogate, North Yorkshire
A newly redesigned and enlarged showroom for Harvey Jones's hand-painted kitchens.
See details →Harvey Jones Wilmslow
Wilmslow, Cheshire
A two-floor kitchen showroom in the heart of Wilmslow; Sundays by appointment.
See details →Neptune York
Malton Road, York
Neptune's kitchens and furniture in a converted former pub outside the city.
See details →Neptune Chester
Bridge Trafford, near Chester, Cheshire
Neptune's Cheshire store for its kitchens, furniture and paint.
See details →Tom Howley Alderley Edge
Alderley Edge, Cheshire
Hand-crafted kitchens, open seven days a week.
See details →Tom Howley Altrincham
Altrincham, Greater Manchester
The very first showroom Tom Howley opened.
See details →Harvey Jones Chester
Chester, Cheshire
Harvey Jones's Chester kitchen showroom, featured as a kbbreview Showroom of the Month.
See details →Neptune at Fenwick Newcastle
Fenwick, Newcastle upon Tyne
A 4,000 sq ft Neptune showroom inside Fenwick, the brand's first in a department store, announced to open in October 2026.
See details →deVOL
Online · delivers UK-wide · devolkitchens.co.uk
Kitchens such as the Real Shaker and Classic English are designed with you, and their online shop sells the taps, lighting and hardware.
See details →Naked Kitchens
Online · delivers UK-wide · nakedkitchens.com
Made-to-order kitchens in eight cabinet door styles, with a lower-priced sister range, 80/20.
See details →
Home Comforts
The GuideBritish Interior Style and Where to Shop for It: From Liberty to the Best IndependentsWhat makes a British interior, the great stores that shaped it, the independents worth a detour, and how to shop for a lookRead our guide: British Interior Style →HomeSense Leeds The Headrow
Leeds city centre
Homeware, bedding, lighting and tableware from well-known brands at reduced prices, right in the city centre.
See details →HomeSense Leeds Crown Point
Crown Point Shopping Park, Leeds
A superstore of some 34,000 sq ft over two floors, shared with TK Maxx.
See details →HomeSense Birstall
Birstall Retail Park, West Yorkshire
The first HomeSense in the Leeds area, with easy parking on the retail park.
See details →HomeSense Cheadle
Stanley Green Retail Park, Cheadle, Greater Manchester
The south Manchester store, with stock that changes constantly.
See details →HomeSense Metrocentre
Metrocentre, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear
A joint HomeSense and TK Maxx store in the North East's great shopping centre.
See details →HomeSense Sheffield
St James Retail Park, Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Discounted homeware and furnishings from well-known brands, open late Monday to Saturday.
See details →HomeSense York
Monks Cross Shopping Park, York
Homeware, bedding, lighting and tableware from well-known brands at reduced prices.
See details →Upside Down Design
Bootham, York
A design shop and gallery opened in 2017, with homeware from brands such as Bloomingville and Nkuku, Mylands paint and a wide range of fabrics.
See details →Zara Home
Online · delivers UK-wide · zarahome.com
Bedding, table linen, tableware and fragrance, with the full range online.
See details →H&M Home
Online · delivers UK-wide · hm.com
Affordable cushions, throws, tableware and decorative pieces.
See details →
Antique Shops
The GuideBritain's Antiques Towns, Centres & Fairs: Where to Go and How to Buy WellThe great antiques towns, the big fairs at Newark and Ardingly, and how to judge age, condition and provenance before you buyRead our guide: Britain's Antiques Towns & Fairs →Elsecar Antiques Centre
Elsecar Heritage Centre, near Barnsley, South Yorkshire
More than 100 traders of antiques, vintage and collectables over two packed floors.
See details →Antiques on High Harrogate
Montpellier Mews, Harrogate
The former Montpellier Mews Antiques Market in the Montpellier Quarter, now run by Antiques on High, with dealers' cabinets under one roof.
See details →York Antiques Centre
York
Pieces from Ancient Rome to Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, Art Deco and contemporary.
See details →Red House Antiques Centre
York
Ten showrooms on three floors in the city centre.
See details →Priestley's at No. 36
Bootham, York
An antiques and interiors shop in a Georgian building minutes from York Minster, with vintage furniture and soft furnishings.
See details →Dagfields Craft and Antiques Centre
Nantwich, Cheshire
Crafts and antiques together, open seven days a week.
See details →Antiques on High Bowness
Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria
An ever-changing choice of handpicked antique and vintage pieces, close to the Beatrix Potter attraction, opened in 2021.
See details →Mission Hall Antiques Centre
Barnard Castle, County Durham
The town's main antiques stop, seen on Bargain Hunt and Flipping Profit, in a town whose Bank is its antiques quarter.
See details →Ingnet Antiques
Barnard Castle, County Durham
A family business since 1999 specialising in Arts and Crafts furniture, including the Yorkshire oak craftsmen.
See details →Decorative Collective
Online · delivers UK-wide · decorativecollective.com
Well over a hundred vetted UK antiques dealers in one place online.
See details →Vinterior
Online · delivers UK-wide · vinterior.co
Curated vintage and antique furniture from independent sellers.
See details →Selency
Online · delivers UK-wide · selency.co.uk
A second-hand and vintage furniture marketplace, launched in 2014.
See details →1stDibs
Online · delivers UK-wide · 1stdibs.com
The international marketplace for antiques and design, including pieces from dealers in Petworth and across Britain.
See details →
Checked October 2026. Opening times, prices and delivery terms change, so please check before you travel or order.