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Oxford Garden Centre: A horticultural haven in natural surroundings
Starting life as a pig farm – rather ironically, the source of perfect organic fertiliser – the original farmhouse can still be found on the South Hinksey site where Oxford Garden Centre thrives today.
The pond at the front of the Centre is fed by a natural spring, which bubbles through the ground at the top of the Centre and pools before trickling back under the A34 to the River Isis. Mallards are regular characterful visitors and come spring and summer you can feed the fish from the bridge!
Our proximity to nature doesn’t stop there. A circular walk on the Chiswell Path surrounds the Centre and comprises a wildlife reserve run by Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT). The boardwalk will lead you to a reedbed, fen and wet woodland that provides the perfect habitat for wildflowers and birds of prey.
The AWBS Group timeline
- 1988: Adrian White Building Supplies (AWBS) was formed to sell products to trade customers in the Oxford area. The first AWBS showroom opened at South Hinksey (next to where Oxford Garden Centre is found today) in July.
- 2001: AWBS Landscaping was launched to offer a complete landscaping service in the Oxfordshire area. It now has the following statuses: Trading Standards Approved, Brett Approved Installer, Bradstone Assured Installer and Millboard Approved Installer.
- 2003: We introduced two more AWBS showrooms at Cheney Manor Garden Centre in Swindon, and Yarnton Nurseries at Sandy Lane, Yarnton.
- 2004: Our Witney aggregate bagging and gravel bagging facility was opened.
- 2005-2010: The AWBS website was launched. From 2010 our customers were able to order and buy online 24/7 and make the most of free local delivery.
- 2018: AWBS acquired Wyvale Garden Centre, now Oxford Garden Centre, at the South Hinksey site.
- 2018-2019: A new distribution in Eynsham near Witney in Oxfordshire, with 10,907 square feet of dry storage, is built and opened.