The Webbs Story
Growing a family tradition since the 1850s...
From humble beginnings as a family seed business in the heart of the Black Country to four garden centre destinations across the Midlands and Oxfordshire, the story of Webbs is one of passion, progress and a lifelong love of horticulture. For generations, the Webb family has shared a simple ambition, to bring people closer to the joy of gardening, with quality plants, expert knowledge and a genuine welcome. While the business has evolved considerably over the years, our roots remain firmly planted in the same values that shaped our beginnings.
Discover the milestones, people and places that have helped make Webbs what it is today.
c1850 - 1899: Where it all began
A seed of an idea that would grow for generations.
Our story begins in the mid-19th century, when Edward Webb established a seed business in Wordsley, near Stourbridge. Built on a reputation for quality and a deep understanding of plants, Webbs Seeds steadily grew from a local enterprise into a respected name in the British seed trade. By the end of the century, the business had become well known throughout the country and earned the distinction of supplying seeds to Queen Victoria. This royal connection marked an important milestone in the company's history and helped establish the reputation for quality that would become synonymous with the Webbs name.
As the business passed through the family, Edward's grandson William Webb continued to build on these foundations, looking for new ways to test, improve and grow the business. His vision would eventually lead Webbs towards Worcestershire, laying the groundwork for the next chapter of our story.
1925 - 1939: A new home in Wychbold
Putting down roots for the future.
In 1925, William Webb established seed trial grounds at Astwood Farm in Wychbold, Worcestershire. Here, agricultural and horticultural seeds could be tested and assessed, continuing the family's commitment to quality and performance. As transport and shopping habits began to change, so did the business. In 1937, Webbs moved its trial grounds to a prominent site alongside the A38, an important route between Birmingham and Bristol. It was here that the now-famous thatched building was constructed by Messrs Braziers of Bromsgrove, serving as a reception for visitors. With its distinctive appearance and roadside position, the building soon became a local landmark - and remains one of the most recognisable features of Webbs, Wychbold today.
1960 - 1969: A new chapter takes root
From seed merchants to a new kind of garden destination.
During the 1960s, significant changes swept through the British seed trade. Webbs Garden Seeds merged with fellow seed business Bees, and the seed operation moved to Chester. For Webbs at Wychbold, this marked the beginning of an exciting new direction. With the traditional seed business moving on, William's son Michael Webb began developing a fledgling garden centre on the site.
It was a time of change and opportunity. What had once been a place associated with growing and testing seeds was beginning to welcome customers looking for plants, gardening essentials and inspiration for their own outdoor spaces. The foundations were being laid for a new generation of Webbs - one that would bring horticultural expertise directly to gardeners and their homes.
1970 - 1989: Growing into a garden centre
A family vision blooms.
The 1970s saw Richard Webb, great-grandson of founder Edward Webb, and his wife Marigold take the next important step in the development of Webbs. Together, they helped shape the business into a fully fledged garden centre and nursery, building on decades of experience in seeds and horticulture. Their ambition was to create somewhere people could find not only quality plants and gardening products, but also knowledge, inspiration and a personal approach to service.
As interest in gardening continued to grow, so did Webbs. The Wychbold site developed into an increasingly popular destination for gardeners from across the region, with its growing range of plants and products helping establish its reputation as a leading horticultural centre. The family continued to invest in the business, combining traditional plant knowledge with an evolving retail experience - a balance that remains central to Webbs today.
1996 - 2000: The Riverside Gardens
Bringing gardens to life.
Webbs' passion for horticulture has always extended beyond the plants we sell. Between 1996 and 2000, an ambitious landscaping project transformed the grounds at Wychbold into the Riverside Gardens. Created as a place for visitors to explore, discover ideas and enjoy the beauty of planting and garden design, the gardens added a new dimension to the Webbs experience. Paths, planting schemes and landscaped areas created an inspiring setting in which to appreciate what can be achieved in a garden.
In 2000, the Riverside Gardens were officially opened by Richard and Marigold Webb, alongside Professor Stefan Buczacki, one of Britain's respected experts in gardening and natural history. The gardens reflected an important part of the Webbs philosophy: that a garden centre should be more than a place to shop. It should also be somewhere to find inspiration, learn something new and enjoy a shared love of the outdoors.
2006 - 2015: A growing family of garden centres
Expanding our horizons.
The new millennium brought a period of significant investment and growth. Webbs, Wychbold expanded considerably between 2006 and 2015, broadening the choice available to customers and developing its offer as a destination for gardens and the home.
In 2009, Webbs welcomed its West Hagley garden centre, close to the area where Edward Webb had first established his seed business. The addition was a fitting connection between the company's beginnings and its future, bringing the Webbs approach to quality, service and horticultural expertise to a new community. Back at Wychbold, a comprehensive interior refurbishment was completed in 2015, refreshing the shopping experience while retaining the character of the established centre.
Throughout this period, the business continued to evolve, creating more opportunities for customers to discover new ideas, seek expert advice and find everything they needed to make the most of their gardens and homes.
2017 - 2022: More to discover...
A destination for gardening, food and inspiration.
As customers' expectations changed, Webbs continued to broaden its offering beyond traditional gardening. In spring 2017, the refreshed Food at Webbs food hall and restaurant at Wychbold brought together quality food, local produce and flavours from further afield. It was a natural extension of the Webbs experience, reflecting a shared appreciation for quality, provenance and the pleasure of discovering something new.
Then, in September 2019, Webbs opened its third garden centre in Cheltenham, on Evesham Road, the site marked the next stage in the company's expansion and created an opportunity to develop a distinctive, locally connected destination for the surrounding community. In July 2022, Webbs opened its fourth garden centre at Millets Farm Centre in Oxfordshire, near Abingdon. Joining an established destination for shopping and leisure, the new centre extended the Webbs family into another part of the country, bringing its approach to quality plants, thoughtful service and expert advice to a new community.
The opening also created opportunities to build on Webbs' horticultural heritage, including plans to offer plants grown at the company's Wychbold nursery. Today, that nursery continues to grow selected plants using peat-free compost and greywater irrigation systems, bringing traditional growing expertise together with more considered approaches to cultivation.
From Wordsley to Wychbold, and now across four locations, each new chapter has built on the work of those who came before.
Today: Still growing, generation after generation...
A heritage to be proud of and a future to grow into.
Today, Webbs remains an independent, family-owned business guided by the same principles that shaped its beginnings: quality, knowledge, service and a genuine passion for plants. Under the leadership of Ed Webb, great-great-grandson of founder Edward Webb, the business continues to look ahead while drawing on generations of horticultural experience.
Across Wychbold, West Hagley, Cheltenham and Millets Farm, our teams help gardeners of every experience level discover the right plants, find inspiration and bring their ideas to life. Alongside our garden centres, our wider offer embraces food, home and the simple pleasure of spending time in places that feel welcoming and connected to nature.
Our world has changed considerably since Edward Webb first traded seeds in Wordsley. Yet the idea at the heart of Webbs remains much the same: to share our love of gardening, offer quality you can trust and help people make more of their homes and gardens.
Our story is still growing and our team are delighted you're part of it.
