Dobbies Garden Centre Southport

If you need a new garden gnome or fancy a browse, Dobbies is your place. It's got a 3.9 rating from over a thousand Google reviews, so people seem happy enough. You'll find it right in the town centre, easy to get to. Open 'til 6 most days, but Sunday's are shorter, 10:30 to 4:30. Give them a ring on 01704 552920 if you need to check anything.

It's a chain, so you know what to expect - plants, garden furniture, all that jazz. They’ve got a decent food hall too, plus a restaurant if you're peckish. Good for a wander even if you're not buying. It's mostly indoors, so good for a rainy day, and it's open year-round, so you can pop in whenever the mood strikes.

It's pretty family-friendly, with plenty of space for the kids to run around (within reason!). Plus, they usually have some seasonal displays that keep the little ones entertained. It might cost you a few quid though, especially if the kids spot something they want!

Word of warning: the car park can get rammed on weekends, so maybe try and go mid-week if you can.