Visiting West Cork? Don't forget Hosfords!

On the road to West Cork between Bandon and Clonakilty, you pass the entrance to Hosfords Garden Centre and while many are trying to meet time commitments, if you can spare 20 minutes, I would strongly recommend a call to their garden pavillions and great cafe, The Blue Geranium. And you'll probably find owner John Hosford milling about hauling plants indoors or serving customers in the store and should you have any gardening problem that needs solving, I can't think of anyone more knowledgable than John!

The garden centre also comprises a book area where one can find anything from the world of gardening to history and tourist books relating to West Cork and Ireland. There's plenty of artwork from local artists available to purchase, gourmet food from Cork and further afield and tools and garden equipment for the beginner to the avid enthusiast.
Check their website for the times of local markets which John organises throughout the year as well as seeing who is performing in the cafe Sunday afternoons as he organises splendid music free for cafe visitors. So the next time you're heading out west and spot the Hosford entrance, pull in for a few moments and catch up on the finer things that quietly exist out of view.