Welcome to Arboretum Home and Garden Heaven. On a ten-acre site, this family-run business is a complete shopping experience – in addition to the five-star garden centre visitors will find  quirky gift ideas, Weber barbecues and accessories, ladies’ fashion, Regatta outdoor wear, kitchenware, homewares and a new health and wellness department, not forgetting the award-winning Rachel’s Garden Café. Edinburgh Woollen Mills complements the offering.

It’s possible to devote an entire day to visiting Arboretum because in addition to the retail area and the café, there are the Inspirational Gardens to be explored, and an excellent children’s playground and maze adjacent to the restaurant’s outdoor seating area.In Rachel’s Garden Café, take time out to relax and plan the next stage of your trip over some delicious food. Everything is made with the very best ingredients, local where possible. The desserts are all made on the premises and special dietary needs are catered for with gluten-, sugar- or dairy-free options. There is a children’s menu to keep the little ones happy.

Arboretum reflects the changing seasons of the gardener’s world. At Christmas, Arboretum becomes a wonderland with a multitude of decorations and gift ideas while in spring and summer, brilliant colours burst from every area of the store. A commitment to excellent customer service, quality products, unbeatable choice and value for money has earned Arboretum the coveted title of Retail Excellence Garden Centre of the Year many times, most recently in 2019.

Rachel’s Garden Café

The award-winning Rachel’s Garden Café at Arboretum is a self- and assisted-service restaurant which champions Irish and preferably locally sourced produce; a particular favourite is the

beef braised in O’Hara’s Stout which is brewed by the Carlow Brewing Company only 5 km down the road. Enjoy breakfast (including ‘the full Irish’) from 9 a.m. and lunch including soups (gluten free), salads, daily specials and a roast of the day from 12 noon. The tempting desserts are all made on the premises and special dietary needs are catered for with gluten-, sugar- or dairy-free options. The little ones are kept happy with a children’s menu, indoor and outdoor play areas and a fun maze. Tempting afternoon tea options are available, bookable in advance. Pre-booked groups and tours are welcome.

FACILITIES: Large on-site car and coach park, wheelchair-accessible, café with wine licence, indoor and outdoor children’s play area, maze, inspirational gardens, wheelchair-accessible toilets and free Wi-Fi.

HOW TO FIND US: From Dublin / Waterford take exit 6 on M9 motorway and follow signs for Leighlinbridge. Arboretum Home and Garden Heaven is 3 km from exit 6 just off the R448 at Leighlinbridge. Visitors travelling from Carlow town should follow the R448.

OPENING TIMES: Monday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Bank Holidays 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.