Oakdale Roses, Brandon November 2017

mookster · Nov 20, 2017

A little bonus explore, nothing ground-breaking but I can now say I have explored an abandoned garden centre at least.

I didn't even know this place existed until heading towards Brandon - we spotted it as conveniently it is almost opposite Coventry Stadium which was our main explore target earlier in the day.

Oakdale Rose & Garden Centre started on the site in the early 1960’s, as a wholesale and retail nursery. The shop and bungalow were built in the late 1960’s and numerous glasshouses, polytunnels and nursery structures followed, many of which have been dismantled since the owners retired and the business stopped trading approximately 10 years ago.

The business produced many crops, the bulk of which were retailed from the site, but some were supplied wholesale. Rose fields were rotated with other crops including potatoes, grass, Christmas tree crops etc. The 2 acre reservoir on site was used for irrigation of these crops.

Thriving retail sales were split between home produced plants, bought in plant stock and cut flowers, seeds,
bulbs, horticultural sundries, compost and ornaments. There was also a successful aquatic department selling
coldwater ornamental fish and all aquatic and pool sundries.

It's a bit of a mess but was a nice relaxed unexpected wander. The bungalow has been absolutely ruined, probably the worst house I've ever stepped foot in which is a shame.