Lyndhurst Garden Centre

Lyndhurst Garden Centre is a family-run spot near Skegness with the kind of broad, temptation-filled setup that turns "just popping in" into a full outing with suspicious speed. Dogs are welcome inside on a lead, which makes a proper mooch much easier and keeps everyone together while browsing. It's been going for over 50 years and stocks plants, trees, shrubs, homeware, garden accessories and a clothes concession, so it covers far more than compost and trays of bedding plants.

There's also Basil's, the on-site coffee shop and restaurant at the rear of the centre, serving breakfast, lunch and light bites. A designated dog-friendly area inside means nobody has to choose between a decent lunch and keeping the dog close. The centre is open Monday to Saturday 9am–5pm and Sunday 10am–4pm, with Basil's running 9:30am–4pm.

A strong choice for plants, gifts, a proper café stop and that slightly delusional optimism that this time you really will stay on top of the garden. Dogs can join the outing like your slightly muddy shopping assistant, which is exactly how it should be.