Highfield Garden World came into being in 1920 as a small nursery growing willows and forestry trees in Haverfordwest. In 1935 having outgrown its premises the nursery was transported – lock, stock and barrel – in three railway carriages to Whitminster where it quickly became established as one of the best mail order nurseries in the country.

Mr Edward Bazeley founded the company and handed it over by his son, Bonham Bazeley on his retirement. Traditional packing methods were used and parcels despatched all over the country by train in willow baskets which were then returned to the nursery for a refund. To this day, barley straw is much in evidence in the packing of the mail order plants and customers marvel at the care and skill taken to get the plants to them in perfect condition.  Road transport has long since taken over from rail so parcels can be delivered straight to the customer’s door.

When Bonham Bazeley retired in 1987 his co-directors, Joan Greenway and Trevor Wellington, took over the company and were shortly joined by Joan’s son, Tim. At this time most of the business was despatching plants by mail order with a small garden shop for callers to the nursery. The nursery was considered the main retail specialist for fruit trees and the staff have vast knowledge of all the plants they grow.

Joan Greenway had an eye to the future and invested in a piece of land a mile away from the nursery on the busy A38 which, initially, was used for growing roses. However, not long after she became managing director of the company she started turning her dream into reality. The site was quickly developed into a modern garden centre which has been expanded over the last few years into one of the largest and best independent garden centres in the country.

The mail order business, although still supplying customers all over the country, was quickly overtaken by the success of the garden centre which attracts hundreds of visitors every day. Trevor Wellington stayed at the Nursery and runs the day to day side of the mail order business and Tim Greenway manages the Garden Centre. Joan Greenway is in overall charge of both departments and is the driving force behind all new developments. The company name has changed through the years from Western Forestry Co. Ltd to Highfield Nurseries (still the mail order business) to Highfield Garden Centres Ltd and now trades as Highfield Garden World.

The emphasis is very much on customer care and the staff are still very knowledgeable and are able to help you if wanted. The planteria is second to none with a wonderful selection of trees, shrubs, climbers, perennials, ferns, grasses, herbs, annuals, large specimen plants and the range of fruit is perhaps the most impressive, combining tried and tested varieties with delicious introductions on the latest rootstocks. Within the garden centre there is a full range of gardening sundries and tools, garden furniture, oak furniture, giftware, clothing, books, cards, silk flowers, houseplants and much, much more.

‘Greenways’ restaurant is well worth a visit and is open daily, offering friendly service and home made food. Whether you want a quick snack or a full meal our restaurant team will be happy to serve you.

Established 1920, and still growing...