Our Story
“The business is now unrecognisable from the original small-holding and, as with other garden centres, every year we continue to evolve and improve what we offer to our customers.”
How it all began…
From a small-holding market garden…
The business we see today began as a small-holding market garden, started by Charles John Knight and his wife Jessie.
Both were born in Godstone Village and after their marriage made their home in No 3 West View, a new council house in Tandridge, raising a family of four sons and two daughters.
In 1945 a small-holding belonging to the Marquis of Northampton became available to rent at Nags Hall, Godstone. Jack took the opportunity of renting it and the family moved in. It was a brave step – some of the children were still at school and Jack was in his early sixties. But the seeds of the family business were sown.
Jack developed the market garden and began to supply local shops and businesses with vegetables, flowers, bedding plants and fresh fruit. He also developed a good roadside business with many local customers calling in for his fresh produce.
Two of the sons, Brian and David, began helping their father and the business moved forward. When Jack died in 1961 his ambition of a family business had been fulfilled.
In the early 70’s Nags Hall became the first garden centre in Surrey – a great new shop selling horticultural products. Also, in the 70’s, we purchased the established herbaceous Rosedene Nursery in Woldingham and in 1989 acquired the nearby beautiful Georgian property – The Dene. This meant we could extend the garden centre, landscape the grounds and move in to catering.
Knights Today...
The business is now unrecognisable from the original small-holding and, as with other garden centres, every year we continue to evolve and improve our what we offer to our customers.
Knights, Woldingham
Situated in the beautiful Surrey countryside, our Woldingham centre is a perfect destination for shopping and a bite to eat or drink.
The centre includes:
The Dene Restaurant - our picturesque tea room located in a stunning Georgian house in the grounds of the garden centre
Extensive grounds
Large Machinery Department
Comprehensive shop and plant area
H20 Aquatics concession
Knights, Chelsham
Our Chelsham site is situated on the busy Limpsfield Road.
The centre includes:
Large car parking facilities
Seasons restaurant – opened in 2015, 120 seats, indoor and outdoor terrace
Large shop and extensive plant area
Comprehensive Pet Department
Regatta concession
SEHBAC Conservatories Concession
Grown by us for you
The “very roots” of our family business at Knights Garden Centres is about growing plants. It’s how Jack Knight started the business many years ago and we’re proud to say that it’s a tradition we’ve continued, and we’re good at! Our growing programme has developed to keep pace with the new and vigorous varieties of plants which bring so much more colour to your gardens, tubs and baskets. These plants are in flower when you plant them and remain so until the first frosts in October. By growing for you we can ensure the plants are the very best quality, fresh and healthy, giving you only the best variety and colour for your gardens.
Knights in the Community
As a local business we love to be involved in the community and especially when it comes to working with young people - The Gardeners of Tomorrow!
We are continually evaluating and reflecting on all the good work and links we have built with schools over the years, and hope to greatly improve into the future.
Our focus has shifted to offer a more in-house programme of visits and related activities, tailored to the National Curriculum outcomes for your year group.
Visit Us
Woldingham, Knights Garden Centre
Woldingham Road,
Woldingham, Surrey, CR3 7LA
Hours
Monday–Saturday
8:00am - 5:30pm
Sunday
10:30am - 4:30pm
Phone
01883 653142
Chelsham, Knights Garden Centre
Limpsfield Road
Chelsham, Surrey, CR6 9DZ
Hours
Monday–Saturday
8:00am - 5:30pm
Sunday
10:30am - 4:30pm
Phone
01883 622340