Only 30 years ago it was a small conifer nursery ran by a husband and wife team on one and a half acres of land.

Eastern Daily Press: Celebration of Bawdeswell Garden Centre's 30th birthday. Photos by Trudy Jordan of Tangerine Creative.Celebration of Bawdeswell Garden Centre's 30th birthday. Photos by Trudy Jordan of Tangerine Creative. (Image: Archant)

But three decades on and Bawdeswell Garden Centre isn't just a plant shop, it's a restaurant, a shopping centre, a hairdresser's, an artist's studio and a place to relax.

Today owners Peter and Judy Underwood celebrated with their customers and 40 staff the 30 year landmark since they first opened their doors.

The fun day at the centre included a demonstration by TV's gardening expert Katie Rushworth, live music from the Nene Valley Jazz Band, gardening lessons, a bouncy castle with and Punch and Judy shows.

Mr Underwood, who lives in Reepham with his wife, said he has seen a lot of changes in gardening since they opened on June 1 1983.

'People want instant gardening, now', he said.

'But we understand that people have more and more time on their hands and really in this business we are giving them something to do.'

The Reeve's Parlour Restaurant, the large showgarden, the Millennium Garden with pool and pagoda, statues and seating, mature trees and mixture of planting are all designed to inspire whilst offering a place to relax.

Mr Underwood, who comes from a farming background and studied at Burlingham Horticultural Station – now Easton College – before working with his dad growing chrysanthemums at Haveringland added: 'People feel this is a friendly place to come, and we try to make gardening relaxing.

'Everything that's sold there's information with it, we can help.'

Celebrations continue this summer with events including family days on July 14 and August 11.