Tag: Dobbies Garden Centres

Santa events for the whole family, including dogs!

Dobbies Garden Centres has a ‘nice list’ of special Christmas events at its Edinburgh store for every member of the family to enjoy this year. Dobbies’ Santa’s Grotto and Quiet Grotto experiences have an exciting North Pole adventure inspired theme, and four-legged friends are also invited to join the fun with Santa Paws. 

 At Santa’s Grotto, children will experience a North Pole inspired Grotto, before meeting Santa Claus. The 2025 Santa’s Grotto at the Edinburgh store has adventure as its core with activities along the way as children journey through an ice-inspired world, take part in polar games such as snowball basketball and make some reindeer food. Children will then meet Santa to share their Christmas lists and wishes, before receiving a special gift.

This year’s Santa’s Grotto is set to be the best yet and is running from 23 November to 24 December at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store. The event is priced at £14-£16 per child (date dependant). Photographs with Santa are also available during visits, with reduced rates at the time of booking.

Dobbies’ Quiet Grotto takes place on Friday 5 December at the Edinburgh store and will offer a more relaxed and inclusive experience for children with additional needs. These sessions ensure no queuing on the day, a reduced number of people in the grotto area, twinkling lights are removed and grotto music is turned off.

Prior to visiting, Quiet Grotto customers will also be emailed a photo of the specific grotto they will be visiting to help prepare the children for their experience.

Dobbies was founded in Scotland in 1865, and as the 160th year celebrations wrap up, Dobbies are turning to the future, with every Santa’s Grotto and Quiet Grotto ticket purchased helping to support the The Dumyat Project. planting of up to 3,000 native trees in this beautiful region of Scotland.

This year, families are encouraged to include their four-legged friends in the Christmas fun. Santa Paws, an experience specifically designed for dogs, is back and bigger than ever with increased capacity to meet demand at the Edinburgh store. At Santa Paws, dogs will get the chance to meet Santa and his elves, take part in a sniff-ari activity, capture a special memory with Santa Claus, before receiving a special gift. 

Santa Paws is running from 29 November to 24 December, with tickets from £10.50.

Dobbies’ Events Programme Manager, Ayesha Nickson is looking forward to welcoming families to this year’s grotto experiences at the Edinburgh store. She said: “We are thrilled to unveil our 2025 North Pole adventure-themed Santa’s Grotto to families this year.

“Children will embark on a magical journey, take part in a variety of fun and interactive activities, and finish their visit by meeting Santa and receiving a special gift. 

“Our Quiet Grotto experience is also a great chance for families and children with additional needs to enjoy the fun at Santa’s Grotto, and Santa Paws will be the perfect way to include your dog in the Christmas family memories.”

Customers are encouraged to book in advance for Dobbies’ Christmas events to avoid disappointment. 

Tickets for all events and experiences at the Edinburgh store are on sale now with an option to make a donation during your purchase to Dobbies’ National Charity Partner, Alzheimer’s Research UK or to the Dog’s Trust when booking tickets for Santa Paws.

To learn more about the Christmas events and make a booking, visit:

dobbies.com/events

Great value October holiday activities at Dobbies Garden Centres

  • Kids Eat for £1 restaurant offer
  • Soft play, bookings start from £3.50  
  • Free-to-attend Little Seedlings October Holiday Club
  • Little Scare-lings, tickets priced at £15 per child

Dobbies Garden Centres is offering great value entertainment for families during the October holidays at its Edinburgh store.

Keep costs down by spending a day at Dobbies, where parents can take advantage of Dobbies’ Kids Eat for £1 restaurant offer, kids can take part in the free-to-attend Little Seedlings October Holiday Club and the little ones can be amused at soft play. Wizards and Witches of all ages are also invited to take part in a spellbinding Halloween tea party at Dobbies’ magical Little Scare-lings event. 

Kids Eat for £1 restaurant offer

Dobbies offers Kids Eat for £1, allowing children under the age of 16 to enjoy their food for £1 with every traditional adult breakfast and main course meal at lunch. Children can pick from the kids’ breakfasts, lunch menu or pick ‘n’ mix meal, including a drink. 

Restaurants are open Monday-Sunday from 9am, location times may vary and customers are advised to visit the website to check the restaurant opening hours. 

Soft play

Families are invited to come and join in the fun at Dobbies’ Little Seedlings soft play at the Edinburgh store, where children of all ages, from babies and toddlers to young kids, can let off some steam and play in a safe environment. 

The soft play area is in Dobbies’ restaurant, where families can enjoy tasty meals and snacks, plus kids eat free with every adult main meal. Pre-booking is recommended to avoid disappointment, but there may be walk-in spaces available on the day, prices and age ranges vary for each store, starting at £3.50.

Little Seedlings October Holiday Club

Children are invited to step into the enchanting world of gardens after dark at the free Little Seedlings Holiday Club workshop, running on selected dates throughout October at the Edinburgh store.

As twilight falls, young adventurers will uncover how the garden transforms at night – from the curious creatures that come alive, to the magical sights, sounds, and scents. The fun doesn’t stop there, attendees will get the chance to be creative with hands-on activities. 

Little Scare-lings 

This Halloween, children and families can get ready to take part in some scarily fun activities and afternoon tea at the Little Scare-lings event at the Edinburgh store. There will be three tiers of savoury sandwiches and sweet treats for the children and spook-tacular tea and cake offers or afternoon tea add ons for adults.

Little ones will get to take part in slime and magic potion making to embrace their inner witches and wizards, alongside other magical activities and games. Dobbies is encouraging attendees to dress up in their spookiest costume as a prize will be awarded during a costume contest.

The Little Scare-lings – Witches, Wizards and Wicked Treats is taking place on Saturday 18, Sunday 19, Saturday 25, Sunday 26, Friday 31 October, and Saturday 1 November, tickets are £15 per children and from £7.50 for adults. Dates vary for each store so please check the website when booking. To find out more about the great value activities at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store, visit www.dobbies.com/events. 

Dobbies Edinburgh to donate Christmas trees to local community

Dobbies Garden Centres is lifting community spirits this season with a Christmas tree donation at its Edinburgh store, in partnership with Needlefresh.

Dobbies Community Christmas Tree campaign will see stores across the UK giving away more than 220 Christmas trees to local schools and nurseries to help spread joy during the festivities.

Participants will need to fill out a short application form, entries close Thursday 6 November at 5pm.

https://www.dobbies.com/community-christmas-trees

Dobbies: Weekend of celebrations to mark the start of the festive season





Christmas has come early as Dobbies Garden Centres kicks off the season in style at its Christmas Launch Weekend which takes place from Thursday 9 to Monday 13 October in its Edinburgh store.  

Dobbies launches its Christmas shop on Thursday 9 October, with a special evening event from 5pm-7pm giving customers at the Edinburgh store the chance to get a head start on their shopping as the garden centre unveils its highly anticipated festive trends, with something to suit every budget and every style.

From indoor and outdoor lighting, trees, beautiful baubles and homewares, to houseplants, great value gifts for everyone on your list, you can experience Christmas in every sense at Dobbies. 

Special offers launch on the evening of Thursday 9 October, and will then be available in-store across the event weekend. If customers sign up to attend the evening event at dobbies.com, they will receive a £5 off £25 and £10 off £50 voucher to use on Thursday 9 October at the Edinburgh store, alongside the chance of winning £1,000 worth of Christmas items for a shopping spree in store.

The offers include 30% off Christmas decorations, including pack baubles and 30% off 5-7ft Oslo trees, buy one get one half price on Amaryllis Christmas Star bulbs and 20% off cushions, throws and rugs, alongside 20% off ARRAN Sense of Scotland home and body products, perfect for adorning the home for the festive season or gifting. 

Local community groups and schools have been invited to perform on the evening of Thursday 9 October, to help bring the Christmas spirit to life, and customers can also enjoy product tastings from the foodhall and in-store Bakery to Go, where available. 

The Edinburgh store will be hosting a pop up experience with IND!E on the launch evening of Thursday 9 October, giving customers the chance to shop artisanal products from the local area. J Dobie Photography and Seilich will be in the Edinburgh store.

Customers at the Edinburgh store can also support Dobbies’ National Charity Partner, Alzheimer’s Research UK throughout the weekend with fundraising activities, including raffles and donation buckets.

If customers would like to further their support Alzheimer’s Research UK, Dobbies has a limited-edition Sensory Garden 15 bulbs collection which contains a selection of colourful and fragrant bulbs, designed to create a captivating sensory garden, priced at £15.

Five pounds from each pack sold will be donated to the charity. The Edinburgh store will have demonstration stations on Thursday night at 5pm and 6:15pm where customers can learn about this new charity bulb, get tips on how to plant them and take care of them from bulb to bloom.

Throughout the weekend, customers can enjoy the new seasonal menu for autumn and winter in the Edinburgh restaurant, which will be open until 6.30pm on Thursday 9 October. With hearty dishes, classic light lunches and scrumptious specials, sweet drinks and warming hot drinks, there is plenty to enjoy across the Christmas Launch Weekend. 

Dobbies’ Events Programme Manager, Ayesha Nickson, said: “Christmas is such a special part of the Dobbies’ calendar, and we pride ourselves in creating a magical experience for everyone who visits.

“Christmas Launch Weekend marks the official launch of the season in our Edinburgh store and is a fantastic opportunity to get a head start and stock up on some savings, whilst soaking up the atmosphere and getting into the festive spirit.”

The Christmas Launch Weekend kicks off on Thursday 9 October, from 5-7pm, with free tickets available to book at www.dobbies.com 

The launch weekend continues until Monday 13 October, at all stores, during normal trading hours.

Dig into summer fun: Free children’s gardening workshop at Dobbies

Dobbies Garden Centres is inviting children to come along to its free-to-attend Little Seedlings Club, taking place in its Edinburgh store this June. This hands-on workshop will spotlight garden tools and the summer gardening jobs that these tools can be used for, followed by a fun activity.

Dobbies’ Little Seedling Club offers free, fun and educational monthly sessions for children across the country. These workshops involve hands-on activities where children can come together and learn about a variety of different topics in a friendly group setting.

Garden Tools is taking place at the Edinburgh on the morning of Sunday 1 June, where children will learn about key gardening tools, from the history of the very first tools used during the Bronze Age, to the kinds of things they help us with when it comes to growing plants and looking after gardens and green spaces.

Attendees will then find out what gardening jobs can be done this summer, from watering to pruning and planting, with advice on the best tools for the jobs, before getting the chance to make their own watering can-inspired art.

Dobbies’ Events Programme Manager, Ayesha Nickson, is excited to welcome families across the UK along to this fun-filled event. She said: “Our Garden Tools Little Seedlings Club workshop at our Edinburgh store has been designed to engage children and get them curious about gardening.

“Our free monthly sessions involve games and a crafting activity where children can make something to take home to keep the fun going.

“Dobbies is a great place for families to come together, whether it’s to experience our free Little Seedlings Club, to let off steam in the soft play, or enjoy a delicious treat in the restaurant where children can eat for £1.”  

Children can now plant and grow with their favourite Disney characters and Dobbies has everything young gardeners need to celebrate National Children’s Gardening Week (24 May – 1 June) in style, with a touch of Disney magic.

The collection now available to shop in-store and online features gloves, tools, kneeling pads, aprons, and plenty more. Available to choose from in a variety of beloved Disney prints, letting every little gardener pick their favourite character and build their perfect set.

To find out more and book a space on the Little Seedlings workshop at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store, visit www.dobbies.com

Hop along to Dobbies’ Edinburgh store this Easter

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.

Prepare your garden for Spring with Dobbies’ Edinburgh store

Garden Centre offers free Grow How workshops on seasonal planting

As the cooler days of Autumn approach, Dobbies Garden Centres is inviting families and gardening enthusiasts to its Edinburgh store to gear up for a colourful spring with its free monthly Grow How sessions this September.

Grow How provides a welcoming space for gardeners of all ages and skill levels to learn, share, and get growing.

The series of informal workshops will take place at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store on the first Saturday of the month, then every Wednesday throughout September at 10:30am and 3:30pm. The 15-minute demonstrations, led by Dobbies’ friendly and knowledgeable colleagues, are packed with practical tips and engaging Q&A sessions, making them a perfect outing for anyone looking to learn more about gardening.

September’s workshop, Getting Ready for Spring in September, is all about preparing for a burst of springtime colour as Dobbies takes delivery of over 6 million spring flowering bulbs across its stores.

Participants will discover the best bulbs for Spring displays, including top picks for the season – vibrant Tulips, cheerful Daffodils, and delicate Crocuses. These flowers are not only easy to plant but also promise a stunning array of colours, perfect for brightening up any garden.

Attendees at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store will learn how to create a beautiful bulb lasagne, a technique of layering different bulbs in one pot, ensuring a continuous bloom from early Spring into the Summer.

This method is ideal for small spaces and adds a lovely splash of colour to patios and balconies. The workshops will also cover essential tips, such as choosing bulbs for cut flowers, selecting the best bulbs for pots, and understanding the proper planting depths to ensure healthy growth.

Dobbies’ Horti Manager, Simon Jefferey, is looking forward to helping people to get out into their gardens during September in preparation for spring.

He said: “These Grow How sessions in our Edinburgh store is a fantastic way for families to bond over gardening. We love seeing kids get involved, planting their first bulbs and eagerly awaiting the flowers.

“It’s a great introduction to the joys of gardening, an opportunity to connect with nature and get inspired for the seasons ahead no matter your experience.”

For more information about the Grow How sessions and to secure a spot, visit:

 www.dobbies.com/events.

February Holiday workshop at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store

Garden centre celebrates Random Acts of Kindness with free children’s event

Families in Edinburgh will have the chance to take part in Dobbies’ free February Holiday Workshop, keeping children aged 4-10 years busy during the half term.

The February holiday workshop is taking place in Dobbies’ Edinburgh store throughout half term. This fun-fuelled workshop is centred around Random Acts of Kindness, a celebration that takes place on Saturday 17 February, encouraging everyone to be extra kind to one another and go above and beyond to brighten someone’s day.

Children will come together in a friendly group setting at its Edinburgh store to delve into the history of this celebration and learn about the joys of kindness. 

Dobbies’ colleagues will detail what it means to be kind, why kindness is important, how it can make people feel, and all the ways we can be kind to others, to nature and to ourselves.

Spotlighting random acts of kindness in the garden, Dobbies is showcasing all the different ways children can care for the planet. From making a bug hotel, feeding birds or planting pollinating flowers to help bumblebees thrive to picking up litter or making compost, there’s plenty of ways to be kind.

In addition to being kind to others, Little Seedlings in Edinburgh will be encouraged to be kind to themselves by fuelling their bodies with healthy food, doing things they love, sharing feelings and most importantly, being proud of themselves. Kids will also have the chance to create their own sunshine thank you card to put a smile on someone’s face.

Dobbies’ Little Seedlings Club Workshop Leader, Liz Savage, is looking forward to welcoming kids along to the February Holiday Workshop.

She said: “School holidays are a great chance to ignite a passion for a hobby or try something new. This workshop will allow kids to come together and learn, making friends along the way.

“Our Little Seedings Club is designed to engage and support local communities near our Edinburgh store by providing accessible, free of charge fun and educational activities.”

For more information about February’s Holiday Workshop and to make a booking, visit dobbies.com/events

Barratt Developments teams up with Dobbies Garden Centres to create sustainable festive front door display 

Stylist shares top tips on how to dress your door on a budget this Christmas

Barratt Developments Scotland has joined forces with Dobbies Garden Centres to share top tips and insights on how to dress your front door this Christmas – sustainably and on a budget.

Together with Dobbies’ top stylist, the housebuilder, which includes Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes, has created a handy guide with festive ideas on how to add a wow to your front door décor this December.

Front door transformations were named as one of Pinterest Predicts’ leading trends for 2023, with the holiday season marking the perfect time to embrace the trend and add a touch of festive sparkle to the exterior of the home. 

While the makeovers online are impressive, they can also be costly. Barratt and Dobbies’ handy and sustainable suggestions are designed to achieve the trend without breaking the bank.

To achieve the look in a sustainable way, foliage can be foraged from your garden, local woods or outside spaces. You can use plants from your garden such as Conifer, Skimmia ‘rubella’ or eucalyptus, enabling you to get creative depending on what’s available and your personal style. Foraging the items is a great way for families, friends and couples to come together and take part in a festive activity.

If you would like to add some seasonal sparkle to your sustainable decorations, Dobbies has a dedicated section in-store and online where customers can pick faux décor ideal for wreaths and garlands, as well as Christmas baubles, lights and decorations for different styles and looks.

Estelle Sykes, Sales Director at Barratt Developments West Scotland, said: “We’ve loved collaborating with Dobbies to create this festive front door display.

“As the entrance to the home, it’s important that the front door makes a good first impression, which is why statement décor and wreaths are becoming increasingly popular at Christmas and all year round.

“Dobbies has done an excellent job and has provided some great tips on how to recreate this at home, both sustainably and at relatively low cost. We hope to see more and more people tap into the front door trend this winter using our top tips.”

Barratt Developments & Dobbies’ handy step-by-step guide on how to recreate at home:

  • Lay out thick rope (about two metres long) on the ground. Attach chosen foliage in bundles along the rope with garden twine. You can make this as full as you like for your chosen look
  • Attach the rope, with all foliage, to the drainpipe or porch. We started at the top of the drainpipe and attached downwards
  • Using garden twine, tie various sizes of baubles together for impact and attach (with other décor of your choice) to the foliage. Baubles are available to buy in multipacks from Dobbies. We also added oversized baubles for extra impact and LED lights which don’t emit heat
  • Use the same approach for the wreath, creating little bundles of foliage, attaching them using garden twine. We added heather for an additional pop of colour. Create your wreath shape from twigs or buy a wreath base
  • Add baubles, décor and wire battery lights before hanging on your door
  • Decorate the area with reindeers, potted trees and other festive ornaments of your choice. We selected a Nordmann fir potted tree and a Blue spruce which can be taken indoors and decorated for Christmas, and you can plant in your garden after the festive season. You could also opt to keep them in their pots to maintain their size for next year, giving them longevity

Rebecca Stanton, Stylist at Dobbies Garden Centres, said: “Dressing your front door is huge at the moment and we’re thrilled to partner with Barratt to bring this trend to life. Christmas is a great time of year to experiment with decorations and what better way to do this than to get creative with your own front door.

“We have selected low-cost items, most of which can be foraged from outside, and everything else can be chosen to suit your preferred colour scheme and taste. We used items from our Classic Luxe theme, which suited the style and colouring of the house. Our step-by-step guide should be straightforward enough so people can get creative and try at home, with family and friends.”

All items used in the display are available from Dobbies Garden Centre. Costs are scalable depending on budget.

You can visit Dobbies Garden Centres in the following locations:

Aberdeen
Ayr
Braehead
Dundee
Dunfermline
Edinburgh and little dobbies Stockbridge
Inverness
Livingston
Milngavie
Perth
Sandyholm
Stirling

Dobbies’ Edinburgh store gives customers hot tips for summer gardening

Free workshops this August

With summer in full swing, Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is sharing its expertise to help gardens thrive this season. Dobbies’ gardening experts in Edinburgh are hosting two free sessions, for both children and adults, to help them learn about what plants do well during sunny spells and how to protect your garden in the warmer months.  

According to Your Weather, the last two summers in the UK have been drier than the historical average. Dobbies’ horticultural experts will lend a hand to offer free advice to customers in Edinburgh about how to maximise their outdoor space and ensure their gardens are prepared for whatever the weather may bring.

Dobbies’ interactive Grow How session takes place on Saturday 5 August at 10:30am where customers will be invited along to further their gardening expertise. Attendees will get advice on plants that will thrive in sunny spots, insider tips for getting the garden to grow and the different types of drought-friendly plants to keep your outdoor space vibrant all summer long.

The Little Seedlings Club takes place on Sunday 6 August and is ideally suited for children aged 4-10 years old, offering a jam-packed interactive workshop with educational content and craft activities. Kids will learn about summer as a season, what the warm weather means for the environment, how plants adapt to dry weather, specific plants to grow and how we can be safe in the sun.

Dobbies’ Horticultural Director, Marcus Eyles, said: “The hottest summer months can have an impact on the overall health of your plants and the success of your garden. Choosing the correct plants for the right position and soil in your garden is essential.

“Many plants have adapted and evolved to cope with hot and dry weather conditions, and gardeners in Edinburgh can take advantage of this by potting up plants such as Lavender and Rosemary or by growing palms or outdoor succulents. 

“Certain plants like Salvia, Lemon trees and Dahlias all burst with vibrant colours and thrive in a sunny spot, a great choice for south facing gardens or balconies that get sunlight all day.

“Our in-store experts are looking forward to speaking with customers and our Little Seedlings Club members to make sure everyone is putting their best foot forward this summer.”

For more information about how to take part in Dobbies’ sessions, visit Events | Dobbies Garden Centres