Garden Centre invites families along to a series of brand-new Easter events

Dobbies Garden Centres is welcoming families and four-legged friends to hop along and get set for spring at its brand-new Easter-themed events, taking place at its Edinburgh store.

Families can book a brand-new Easter Bunny Afternoon Tea, taking place on Monday 21 April.

Children can tuck into a selection of freshly made bunny shaped sandwiches, filled with jam, cheddar cheese, ham, and tuna mayonnaise. They can also enjoy Dobbies’ famous scones, served with Cornish clotted cream and a pot of jam, and a delicious selection of sweet treats, including a mini doughnut, gingerbread man and a waffle finger with dipping chocolate and sugar strands & chocolate chip toppings.

For £8.75, adults can select a hot drink of filter coffee or tea, plus a slice of triple chocolate cake, coffee and walnut cake or Persian lemon cake. And for £16, adults can enjoy Afternoon Tea – three tiers of delicious sweet and savoury treats.

After everyone has eaten, children will seek out the Easter Bunny, who will be hopping about the Edinburgh store, and get involved in spring inspired activities and games including the bunny hop relay. They’ll then enjoy a hands-on planting experience, learning how to grow their very own lettuce. During the event, children will also be given a mini Malteser chocolate bunny.

Also new for this year, Dobbies’ Edinburgh store is hosting its Hopping Hounds event.

Dogs will get the chance to sniff out an Easter egg trail around the store before receiving an Easter themed toy and money off vouchers for the garden centre and restaurant. There will also be photograph opportunities with the Easter Bunny to have a keepsake of the experience.

Customers will be able to add a donation while booking the event, helping with Dogs Trust’s mission of caring for, rehabilitating, and rehoming thousands of dogs every year. The event is priced at £12.50 per dog.

Well behaved dogs on a lead are warmly welcomed in the Edinburgh store and in a dedicated area of the restaurant if paw-rents are hoping to make a day of it. Explore the fantastic range of pet products at Dobbies, with everything from healthy treats and dog attire to terrific toys.

Customers can also take part in Dobbies’ monthly social media competition, Dogs at Dobbies, by posting a picture and using the hashtag #dogsatdobbies to be in a chance of winning a gift voucher.

Back by popular demand this year is also the Easter Bunny Breakfast, taking place on Friday 18, Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 April, is a great opportunity to gather the whole family for a fun-filled morning.

Families at the Edinburgh store can get stuck into an egg-cellent breakfast, with children and adults having the choice of a traditional cooked breakfast, a vegetarian breakfast or a breakfast roll. Children can also opt for a continental breakfast of croissant, jam, yoghurt and banana. Kids will have the choice of an apple juice, orange juice or water, and adults will be able to choose from a pot of tea or regular coffee.

After everyone has eaten, children will seek out the Easter Bunny, and take part in the same themed activities as for the Afternoon Tea.

Tickets are priced at £8.75 for adults and £11.99 for children.

Dobbies’ Events Programme Manager, Ayesha Nickson, is excited to welcome families along to the in-store activities this Easter. She said: “We’re looking forward to launching our new Afternoon Tea event in our Edinburgh store, bringing an alternative option to families, and a nice activity for grandparents to get involved in.

“Our Easter Bunny Breakfast is always popular with families across the country and is a great way to bring everyone together for a morning of seasonal fun, packed full of activities to keep the kids entertained.

“Dog events are becoming increasingly popular for dog owners to spoil their pooches, and we can’t wait to see welcome our four-legged friends for a fun event this Easter.”

For more information about the Easter events and participating stores, visit:

www.dobbies.com/events.

Edinburgh Garden Centre invites gardeners to get hands-on with tomato and flower growing

Dobbies Garden Centres’ popular Little Seedlings Club and Grow How workshops return for February at the Edinburgh store, inviting gardeners and families to get hands-on at these free sessions.

These workshops are open to people of all ages and with all levels of skill – whether an expert, a beginner, or someone starting out a new hobby.

Dobbies’ popular Grow How workshops will take place on Saturday 1 February, and Wednesday 5 February at 10:30am and 3:30pm at the Edinburgh store and will focus on growing your own tomatoes.

It will cover the history of the popular fruit, as well as offer tips and advice on how to grow and care for tomato plants. Customers taking part will also get the chance to taste and learn about different varieties and the most popular kinds that are grown in the UK.

These include Gardeners Delight, a cherry variety of tomato that was the most popular tomato plant sold at Dobbies in 2024. Other popular varieties include old favourites, Money Maker and Alicante, as well as Tumbler varieties that are ideal for baskets and containers.

Dobbies’ Little Seedlings Club is designed for children aged 4-10 years old and will take place on Sunday 2 February.

During the workshop at the Edinburgh store, Dobbies’ colleagues will take passionate young gardeners through the wonderful world of tomatoes, unveiling the origins of one of the world’s most popular fruits, busting fruit vs vegetable myths, while taking part in fun and interactive games.

Children will learn how to grow their own tomatoes and how to help them thrive on windowsills. They’ll also learn care tips, fun facts and the different varieties and flavours.

Dobbies’ Little Seedlings Holiday Club will also return in February throughout half term. The fun-filled workshop will focus on flowers, with children learning all about where they come from and the different types, why they make great gifts and more about the most popular gifting flower, the rose.

Nigel Lawton, Dobbies’ Plant Buyer, is eager to showcase the programme of free events on offer to gardeners of all ages and experience at the Edinburgh store during February.

He said: “There is something particularly rewarding about enjoying fruit and vegetables that have been grown at home and these workshops are designed to make the activity accessible to all.

“Our Little Seedlings Holiday Club is a great opportunity for children to come together and learn something new by taking part in a variety of fun-filled and educations activities.”

To find out more about the free workshops at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store, visit Events | Dobbies Garden Centres

Santa arrives at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store this Sunday

Garden Centre hosts free Santa’s Arrival

Santa Claus will make his arrival at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store this Sunday to get the festive events season underway, accompanied by a Scottish pipe band and dance group.

Families and friends are invited to join in the festive fun, meet Santa and create unforgettable Christmas memories at Santa’s Arrival, free-to-attend at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store on Sunday 24 November. 

Children in attendance will have the chance to enjoy Santa’s as he arrives in his own special car, and get excited for the festivities. Adding to the excitement, children can get involved in face painting and glitter tattoos, and enjoy music from a DJ.

In addition to the fun, families can get a head start on their festive shopping with Dobbies’ one-day-only discount voucher available to collect at Santa’s Arrival and redeem that day. Families are encouraged to dress in their favourite festive attire with Christmas jumpers warmly welcomed.

Families can also enjoy Dobbies’ Kids Eat Free offer which runs through the day, allowing children under the age of 16 to enjoy their food for free with every traditional adult breakfast and main course meal at lunch. This includes kids’ breakfasts, lunch menu or a pick ‘n’ mix meal, plus a drink. 

Dobbies’ Edinburgh store will also be collaborating with IND!E Pop-Up to host SH Designs, a colourful stationery and gifts company that uses original artwork and pattern designs.

Customers can browse and buy these gorgeous products in-store from Monday 18 November, with the independent wrapping up the collaboration on Thursday 28 November, but set to return in December (Monday 9 – Sunday 15).

Jenna Bavidge, General Manager at Dobbies’ Edinburgh, said: “We’re so excited to welcome families to Santa’s Arrival this year. It’s such a special time, and we’ve worked hard to create an experience full of festive cheer to kick-start the celebrations. 

“From Santa’s entrance to the live performances to entertain the crowd, there’s something for everyone in the community to enjoy at the Edinburgh store. We can’t wait to see the joy on the children’s faces as they see Santa arrive.”

To find out more about Dobbies Santa’s Arrival experience and to book online, visit Events | Dobbies Garden Centres