While the Easter weekend's cracking weather continuing, many of us have been making the most of a chance to spend some quality time in the garden.
And taking advantage of milder weather can often include a trip to the garden centre to stock up on plants.
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Shoppers can also find there plenty ideas of how to make the most of outdoor spaces at any time of year as well as all the equipment - from gardening gloves and small tools to rakes and spades - that they need to do so.
To help those seeking some inspiration, here is our guide to garden centres in the North East which can help those ideas to blossom.
We've listed the regular opening hours but bear in mind that Sunday hours apply to Bank Holiday Monday.
Remember too that hours can vary so it's always worth calling ahead just to double-check before making a trip.
Newcastle
Cowells Garden Centre
Address: Main Road, Woolsington, Newcastle, NE13 8BW
Tel no: (0191) 286 3403
Normal opening times: Monday - Saturday 9am - 5.30pm and Sunday 10am - 4.30pm. Doors open at 10am on Sunday but tills open at 10.30am due to Sunday opening laws. Bank Holiday Monday opening hours may differ.
Website: www.cowellsgc.co.uk
Dobbies Garden Centres PLC
Address: Street House Farm, Ponteland, Newcastle, NE20 9BT
Tel no: 01661 820202
Normal Opening times: Monday to Friday 9am-7pm; Saturday 9am - 6pm, Sunday 10:30am - 4:30pm.
Website: www.dobbies.com
Wyevale Garden Centre
Address: Gosforth Park, Newcastle, NE3 5EP (and branches in Morpeth and Stockton)
Tel no: 0844 288 5191
Normal Opening times: Monday to Saturday 9am - 6pm and Sunday 10:30am - 4:30pm.
Website: www.wyevalegardencentres.co.uk
Plants Plus Ltd
Address: Horton Grange, Berwick Hill Rd, Seaton Burn, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne And Wear, NE13 6BU
Tel no: 01661 824631
Normal opening times: Monday - Saturday: 9am - 5pm, Sunday: 10am - 4pm
Website: www.plantsplus.co.uk
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Cottage Garden Nursery
Address: Hunters Lodge , Galloping Green Road, Eighton Banks, Gateshead, NE9 7XD
Tel no: 0191 482 0059
Normal opening times: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10am - 5pm. Tuesday and Thursdays closed.
Website: www.cottage-garden-nursery.co.uk
Redfox Garden World
Address: Newcastle Road, Gateshead, NE10 8YS
Tel no: 0191 4380821
Normal opening times: Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm, Saturday 9am - 5pm and Sunday 10am - 4pm.
Website: www.redfoxgardenworld.co.uk
Lamesley Garden Centre
Address: Haggs Lane, Lamesley, Gateshead, Tyne And Wear, NE11 0HA
Tel no: 0191 4877557
Normal opening times: Monday to Saturday 9am-5pm; Sunday 10am-4pm
Website: www.billdochertysplants.co.uk
Dobbies Garden Centres PLC
Address: Durham Rd, Birtley, DH3 2BQ
Tel no: 0191 410 2556
Normal opening times: Monday - Friday 9am -7pm; Saturday 9:00am - 6:00pm, Sunday 10:30am - 4:30pm
Website: www.dobbies.com
Birkheads Secret Gardens and Nursery
Address: Near Hedley Hall Woods, Sunniside, Gateshead, NE16 5EL
Tel no: 01207 232262 or 07778447920
Opening times: Gardens are open 10am - 5pm between Wednesday to Friday and 11am to 5pm between Saturday and Sunday
The coffee shop is open 10am - 4:30pm between Wednesday to Friday and 11am to 4:30pm between Saturday and Sunday.
Website: www.birkheadssecretgardens.co.uk
Lintzford Garden Centre
Address: Lintzford Road, Rowlands Gill, Tyne and Wear, NE39 1DG
Tel no: 01207 549777
Normal opening times: Monday - Saturday 9am - 5.30pm, Sunday 10:30am - 4:30pm
Website: lintzfordgardencentre.co.uk
North Tyneside
Earsdon Plants Centre
Address: Earsdon, Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear, NE25 9TQ
Tel no: 0191 2970375
Normal opening times: Monday - Saturday 9am - 5pm, Sunday 9am - 4:30pm.
Website: http://earsdonplantscentre.co.uk
South Tyneside
Tubs and Shrubs Nursery
Address: Rectory Terrace, West Boldon, Tyne and Wear NE36 0QB
Tel no: 0191 519 3363 or mobile 07802 232622
Normal opening times: Monday - Saturday 10am- 4pm
Website: www.tubsandshrubs.co.uk
Sunderland
Clays Garden Centre
Address: Peel Retail Park, Washington, NE37 2PA
Tel no: 0191 417 7777
Normal opening times: Monday to Saturday, 9am-5.30pm; Sunday 10.30am-4.30pm.
Website: http://claysgardencentreltdwashington.co.uk
Elm Tree Farm Garden Nursery
Address: On the A1290, Washington, Tyne and Wear NE37 3HY
Tel no: 0191 419 3387
Normal opening times: Monday - Saturday 9am -5pm, Sunday 10am - 4pm
Website: http://elmtreefarmgardennursery.co.uk
County Durham
Poplar Tree Garden Centre
Address: Hall Lane, Shincliffe Village, County Durham, DH1 2NG.
Tel no: 0191 3847553
Normal opening times: Monday-Friday 9am - 5.30pm, Saturday 9am - 5.00pm, Sunday 10.30am - 4.30pm
Website: www.poplartreegardencentre.co.uk
Lanchester Garden Centre
Address: Bargate Bank, Lanchester, Durham, DH7 0SS
Tel no: 01207 521206
Normal opening times: Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm; Sunday 1am-4pm
Website: www.lanchestergardencentre.co.uk
Richardson’s Garden Centre
Address: Cold Hesledon, Seaham, County Durham, SR7 8RW
Tel no: 0191 5818181
Normal opening times: Monday - Saturday 9am - 6pm, Sunday 10.30am - 4.30pm
Website: www.richardsonsgardencentre.com
Northumberland
Halls of Heddon
Address: Heddon on the Wall, Northumberland
Tel no: 01661 852445
Normal opening times: Monday-Saturday 9am - 5pm, Sunday 10am - 5pm
Website: www.hallsofheddon.com
Down to Earth Garden Centre
Address: Tyne Mills Industrial Estate, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 1XL
Tel no: 01434 600920
Normal opening Times: Monday - Saturday: 9am - 5pm, Sunday 10am - 4pm
Website: www.downtoearthgardencentre.co.uk
Heighley Gate Garden Centre
Address: Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 3DA
Tel no: 0844 288 5193
Normal opening Times: Monday to Saturday 9am - 6pm and Sunday 10:30am - 4:30pm.
Website: www.wyevalegardencentres.co.uk
Tyne Valley Nurseries
Address: Mickley, Stocksfield, Northumberland, NE43 7BT
Tel no: 01661 844 653
Normal opening times: Monday - Saturday 9am - 5.30pm and Sunday 10.30am - 5pm
Website: www.tynevalleygardencentre.co.uk
Azure Garden Centre
Address: Station Road, Cramlington, Northumberland, NE23 8BJ
Tel no: 01670 733762
Normal opening times: Mon - Saturday 9am - 5.30pm; Sunday closed.
Website: www.azure-gardencentre.co.uk
Glendale Garden Centre
Address: 7-9, South Road, Wooler, Northumberland, NE71 6QE
Tel no: 01668 281003
Normal opening times: Monday to Friday 9am-5pm; Sunday 10am-4pm. Its coffee shop is open until 4pm except on Sundays.
Website: www.glendalegardencentre.co.uk
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