About us

In 1952 Toby and Skit Stubbs embarked on a new adventure and followed their passion by purchasing a derelict and overgrown ‘walled garden’ outside Henley-On-Thames. They originally grew and sold vegetables before specialising in growing plants in 1960. Their aim, which remains a core value today, was to provide the best plants possible. It is from this humble beginning that Toad Hall Garden Centre began to emerge.

The business started to develop further when their son Tony, who shared both their passion and core values, entered the business in 1972 following a series of unfortunate parachuting jumps. Under Tony’s influence Toad Hall started selling plants to the local community in 1972, with the shop being installed in 1975, and the Garden Machinery Department being built in 1984.

For over 60 years and now into the third generation of the Stubbs family, Toad Hall continues to develop and flourish specialising in providing the best plants. Much of the specialist knowledge can be attributed to the enthusiastic, hardworking and loyal members of staff who continue to utilise their expertise to provide outstanding customer service year after year. The commitment and dedication is proven by the tenure of many staff members with the majority having been at Toad Hall for at least ten years, and the longest serving member of staff having been there since 1978!

Due to its specialist knowledge and enthusiasm Toad Hall attracts a wide range of customers, from local gardeners through to country estates and golf courses.

It is due to both hard work and a passion for plants that both the family and the staff share that has secured Toad Hall’s place as one of the largest family run businesses in the South of England.

Did you know that………. Toad Hall was one of the first garden centres to grow large quantities of the newest bedding plants such as polyanthus, primrose, pansies and impatiens.

Did you know that………. Toad Hall now supplies plants for both the prestigious Chelsea and Hampton Court Flower Shows, the same shows where Toad Hall originally won prizes for its exhibits in 1969.

Did you know that………. Toad Hall originally operated a ‘Dig Your Own’ scheme.