Lanchester Garden Centre

Lanchester Garden Centre sits on Bargate Bank in Lanchester, about seven miles from Durham and it's one of those proper destination centres worth the trip when you need plants, gifts, homeware and a dog-friendly lunch in one outing. Dogs are welcome inside across the main site, including the shop areas and the Greenhouse Restaurant, so you can browse aquatics, pick up bulbs and settle in for a pot of tea without leaving your dog tied outside.

The garden centre stocks a broad range of plants, gifts, deli items and seasonal homeware and the Greenhouse Restaurant serves food throughout the day. Water bowls are provided and dogs are welcome to pad alongside you as you shop or rest under the table while you eat.

Dogs must stay on lead across the site. Potter's World, the garden centre's dedicated indoor play area for children, is the only place dogs aren't permitted, but the rest of the centre is open to well-behaved, lead-walked dogs.