5 hours Ago By [email protected] (Emma Gill)
Garden centres have become quite the go-to for a festive day out over recent years. With twinkling displays and festive goodies galore, the indoor venues have become a big attraction. There's one place that's gone bigger than ever with its decorations this year and with shoppers hailing it 'better than Bents', we decided to head along to Newbank Garden Centre to see it for ourselves.
There are branches in Dobcross and Royton in Oldham , as well as Newton Le Willows and Halifax, but it was the one closest to me in Radcliffe, Bury , where we visited on a weekday afternoon. Read more: B&M's Costa gift sets branded 'best ever' stocking fillers for coffee lovers this Christmas My last visit here was about 10 years ago, when my children came to the storytime grotto and it was probably the most memorable of all the grottos we did over the years. The Santa was most definitely 'the real' one.
It's still there now, with slots available to book on the website here . One of the festive displays in store (Image: Manchester Family / MEN) But this time we were here to focus on the rest of the place - and what a treat it was. It's much bigger than we expected and after wandering through the homeware and clothing sections - the home interiors departments have recently been revamped in all stores - we finally arrived at the Christmas displays.
Lots and lots of them. The huge space is divided off into colour themes. Around one corner is a beautiful woodland display featuring a giant tree packed with green, orange, brown and gold decorations, with acorns, berries, mushrooms and sparkling owls.
Around another it's midnight blue decor with frosty icicles and clear glass baubles. And there's plenty more. The Newbank Express train (Image: Manchester Family / MEN) There's even a giant Newbank Express steam train with a carriage and a life-size Father Christmas sitting inside a hot tub, with baubles for bubbles.
What shoppers most love about the centre is its reasonable prices and I was so impressed with the vintage bauble set I picked up for just £7.99. They come inside a gorgeous box to store them in and look much more expensive than the price tag.
It's perhaps why customers speak so highly of this place. Set of vintage baubles, £7.99 (Image: Manchester Family / MEN) "God I love this place and great food, 10 x better than Bents.
I go once a week," said Julie Roberts, commenting on Newbank's Facebook page. "Best garden centre around," added Cheryle Flannagan, while Tracy Hewitt said: "Newbank is the best garden centre around. I love it.
If anyone not been, [they] must go, promise you not be disappointed." And Katie Richardson added: "Can't beat Newbank's prices. Bents and Birkacre very overpriced and ridiculously busy.
" After wandering through the aisles packed with Christmas trees, indoor and outdoor lighting and musical ornaments, we grabbed a bite to eat in the cafe attached to the place, Irwells Bistro. We had a five-minute wait for a table as the place was heaving. There's a varied menu, featuring the likes of grilled bacon or sausage sandwiches for £7.
50, toasted sandwiches and salad for £8.50, fish chips and peas for £14.50 and lasagne with salad for £12.
95. Hot turkey and stuffing barm at Newbank's Irwells Bistro (Image: Manchester Family / MEN) We kept things festive with a hot turkey and stuffing barm from the specials board. It seemed a little pricey at £12.
95 but it comes with chips and salad - and a nice little added touch of a pig in blanket on the top of it - and there are no small portions here. It was so filling that neither of us could manage a cake, despite being tempted by the variety on offer in the display cabinet next to our table. A trip to this magical winter wonderland is sweet enough though, with or without dessert.
.
