britishgardencentres.com Reviews 

263
TrustScore 3 out of 5

2.9

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Evaluating 78 reviews, most reviewers were somewhat happy with their experience overall. Many customers appreciate the friendly and helpful nature of the staff, noting their attentiveness and professional service. Reviewers also enjoyed the food, describing it as delicious and of high quality, with good presentation. The selection of plants and garden items is often praised for its quality and variety. However, some people mentioned dissatisfaction with slow service and long waiting times. Consumers also reported issues with food quality, citing undercooked vegetables, poor ingredients, or dishes served cold and stale. Additionally, several reviewers found prices to be high, particularly for food, leading to concerns about value for money. Some reviewers were not happy with staff interactions, describing them as unhelpful, rude, or lacking proper training.

What people talk about most

Staff

Reviewers highlight ambiguous aspects of staff, with many customers praising the friendliness, helpfulness,... See more

Product

Consumers find product quality to be ambiguous, with some expressing satisfaction with items like plants,... See more

Quality

People report ambiguous experiences with quality, with many reviewers expressing significant dissatisfaction... See more

Service

Clients share ambiguous opinions on service, with some reviewers reporting fantastic service and very... See more

Price

Reviewers mention ambiguous feedback about price, with some customers finding prices to be good and... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

Stevenage garden centre is fairly local to us ...I popped in there (with my little dog) whilst waiting for my wife who was at the Lister Hospital, I ordered a sandwich & a pot of tea at the exorbitan... See more

Company replied

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Poor quality food served slowly. Garden Centre had been taken over by Christmas Frenzy. Very disappointed with our visit today, firstly let down by the restaurant that took an age (40min) to bring o... See more

Company replied

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

After a refit at the Grantham store, I found the lay out to be cramped and chaotic. What was also extremely disappointing was the lack of Plant Based options in the restaurant; just the same old unima... See more

Company replied

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Went to Bridgnorth centre today to buy some rope top edging - get 3 for £10, so good price, but for goodness sake how can anyone put out slabs that are absolutely caked in bird poo from end to end. W... See more

Company replied


Company details

  1. Garden Center
  2. British Restaurant

Written by the company

British Garden Centres is the UK's largest family-run garden centre group, originating in Alford, Lincolnshire. The business has over 60 locations across the UK full of amazing high-quality products at excellent prices.


Contact info

2.9

Average

TrustScore 3 out of 5

263 reviews

5-star
4-star
3-star
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1-star

No recent history of asking for reviews

This company hasn't invited customers recently, so reviews may not be representative

Replied to 100% of negative reviews

Typically replies within 2 weeks

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2.9

All reviews

(263)

78 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Enjoying Spring Equinox

Today has been my first chance to enjoy my new garden furniture. It was easy to put together and is fantastic quality. I'm really looking forward to summer now.

March 20, 2025
Unprompted review
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Reply from britishgardencentres.com

We are really glad you are already enjoying your new Garden Furniture. We wish you lots of happiness with your new investment.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

High quality bare root hawthorn plants…

High quality bare root hawthorn plants for hedging.
No problems at all. Great service.

March 1, 2025
Unprompted review
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Reply from britishgardencentres.com

Thank you for the fantastic review! We look forward to welcoming you again soon.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

No Cream Tea available after booked and paid for

I booked a cream tea for my mam and myself in the new British Garden Centre in Gosforth for Monday 3rd of March.
I paid online the week before I went for my cream tea.
When I arrived I was told that it was not up and running yet and there was no cream tea available.
We were VERY DISAPPOINTED and it was POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE.
No one rang us to inform us after we had paid that it was cancelled.
We were really looking forward to this and it wasn’t a very pleasant experience.

March 3, 2025
Unprompted review
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Reply from britishgardencentres.com

I'm so very sorry that we let you down for your Afternoon Tea which was something which couldn't have been anticipated unfortunately. I believe that the restaurant team have been in touch however please do contact our Customer Service Team on enquiries@britishgardencentres.com if we can offer you any further assistance on this matter.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

What next.?

I visited the Louth garden centre today to have lunch and coffee none of us had coffee at nearly 4 pounds A CUP. it was a very disappointing visit.We didn't stay for lunch.Will not be returning.

March 5, 2025
Unprompted review
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Reply from britishgardencentres.com

We are so sorry that we haven't responded to your review. Thank you for taking the time to let us know your thoughts. We will ensure that this is fed back to our restaurant team for review.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Morpeth Keighley gate

Ordered carvey baguette came in a bread bun !!!
Carvery£12.99
Ordered turkey 2 very thinly cut slices
Vegs good but look warm
Tea for 2 small pot !!! 1 cup each
2.50 per person !!!
Poor value for £27.60
On the upside refunded
Money for 9.50 bun as sent it back
Staff very courteous

March 1, 2025
Unprompted review
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Reply from britishgardencentres.com

We are really sorry that you had to receive a refund on your order today and hope that if you decide to revisit us once the Restaurant has settled in you will be happier with your meal. We do hope that you will give us another chance in the future.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Chilton Garden when for cavery sunday …

Chilton Garden when for cavery sunday very poor luke warm hot drinks where deliverd when getting food so was only warm as well dont recomend wont be going back

February 23, 2025
Unprompted review
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Reply from britishgardencentres.com

We are really sorry that you were unhappy with your meal when you visited us. Thank you for taking the time to let us know - we will ensure this information is captured with the restaurant team.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Good service all around

Bought a product online good service well delivered, well priced and very happy with the service overall

February 8, 2025
Unprompted review
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Reply from britishgardencentres.com

Thank you for the five star review - we look forward to welcoming you again soon.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Woodthorpe and Louth lunch

Went to woodthorpe garden centre last year and had the Brie and bacon panini when it arrived may have just ordered a warm panini with no filling as it had a slither of bacon across the middle and the tiniest slither of non existent Brie along the middle. Thought we’d try the Louth restaurant and ordered the same thinking it was just a bad one last time and just the same. Appalling definitely wouldn’t have food again.

January 26, 2025
Unprompted review
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Reply from britishgardencentres.com

We are really sorry you've not enjoyed your food when visiting our centres. If you would like to raise this formally with the restaurant team please email enquiries@britishgardencentres.com

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

gardeners retreat

had a wander round, bought some shoes, decided to have lunch, a carvery. it was good but would have like a small option, plenty of meat, mash was very watery, red cabbage really spiced, gravy tasteless, but rest was very good, far to large a portion tho, there was a choice of regular and large with £1 difference, but a smaller plate would be a great option especially for older people.

February 3, 2025
Unprompted review
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Reply from britishgardencentres.com

Thank you for taking the time to let us know your thoughts. We will ensure that your comments regarding the smaller eating option, and the quality of the gravy and red cabbage and mash are passed through to our Restaurant team.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Albrighton garden centre

Went to albrighton garden centre the bread was really enjoyable and afternoon tea was well worth the money Could not fault the care and attention of staff and manager

January 28, 2025
Unprompted review
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Reply from britishgardencentres.com

Thank you so much for your review. We are really glad that you enjoyed your afternoon tea and that the staff looked after you. We'll be sure to let them know! We hope to welcome you back again soon.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Appalling technology and customer…

Appalling technology and customer service, trying to get someone to answer the phone is impossible, the technology on the website heightens the frustration as it constantly refers the customer back to the beginning. My wife left a cake at the till but trying to get hold of anyone has proved impossible, very poor

January 14, 2025
Unprompted review
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Reply from britishgardencentres.com

We are sorry that you have found our systems frustrating. Our customer service email address is enquiries@britishgardencentres.com - and our head office customer service telephone number is 01652 241065 - if you select the garden centre enquiries option we are here to help.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I purchased an item

I purchased an item, order no: 8600011569 online and it does not work. I raised the issue on the online form on 28th December and have not got a response. I was given a number of 0300 1246485 to make direct contact and no one answers the phone

December 28, 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from britishgardencentres.com

The phone number you called is the number for our web customer service team. If you email us on enquiries@britishgardencentres.com with a telephone number we can contact you on we will ensure that somebody contacts you straight away.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Braintree Christmas meal

Enjoyed a wonderful Christmas lunch at the Braintree Garden centre today. Food was superb and the table service was faultless. Lovely decorations too. All staff very friendly and helpful. Great value for money. Well done - we look forward to returning next year!

December 19, 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from britishgardencentres.com

Hi - we are so pleased that you enjoyed your meal with us at Braintree and thank you for the five star review! We look forward to welcoming you again next year.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I DECIDED TO RETURN THE ARTIFICIAL…

I DECIDED TO RETURN THE ARTIFICIAL GRASS I PURCHASED AS THE QUALITY WAS UNACCEPTABLE TO ME, TO MY HORROR I COULD`NT GET MY MONEY BACK ONLY TO BE OFFERED A VOUCHER WHICH COULD ONLY BE SPENT AT THE SAME BGC I REQUESTED TO THE MANAGER THAT I WOULD LIKE MY MONEY BACK AS THE LAST TIME I VISITED THE GARDEN SHOP WAS SOME 14-15 YRS AGO THIS FELL ON DEAF EARS BE AWARE CUSTOMERS SHOP ELSEWHERE IVE GOT A VOUCHER WHICH IS USELESS TO ME AVOID THIS GARDEN CENTRE IVE JUST GIFTED THEM £25 DONT SHOP THERE

December 12, 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from britishgardencentres.com

Our refund policy is clearly marked on all tills, which I can see the manager there confirmed as well. We are really sorry that you aren't happy with the policy.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Christmas Dinner

Had a Christmas dinner today at Bridgnorth Garden Centre and it was really lovely! The table was nicely decorated with some crackers and the waitress, Jess, was a pleasant friendly and efficient woman who made us feel very welcome. The food was tasty, hot and just the right portion size.
Thank you that’s started Christmas off nicely!

December 12, 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from britishgardencentres.com

Thank you for your kind review. We are delighted that you enjoyed your meal and hope to welcome you back again really soon.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Bolton Store- The customer service is disgusting. Staff lack care and compassion towards elderly customers.

On collecting my grandmother from the store following her shopping visit we needed to return an item she just purchased.
We entered the store through the entrance to the right is a desk with a sign over "exchanges and returns" - as you would expect.

We were advised my a member of staff named Maxine returns are done at the till ( the opposite side of the store) next to the exit. The other lady sat behind the desk doing nothing.

I advised the sign needs to be changed, and was told you ask here and we take you over. As we were walking over, (my grandma struggling with a walking aid) Maxine came bouncing over and exclaimed " we are expecting you over there". to which i said "we are on the way, my Grandma struggles to walk, have some respect" . And to my amazement, she replied "You should have left her in the car"!
The comment to leave my grandma in the car, is disgusting and unacceptable. For a store with an elderly target audience, this attitude should not be displayed.
I requested information on the complaints procedure, to which no one knew, and on the website this isn't clearly accessible either!
To add about this member of staff, Maxine, on a a previous visit she was on the tills with a younger lady and she was bullying the younger lady, trying to belittle her in front of the customers!

1)This lady should not be working in a public facing role!
2) Remove the sign and clearly sign post where returns are transacted.
3) Give staff training!
4) Clearly document the complaints procedure.

December 12, 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from britishgardencentres.com

Thank you so much for letting us know about the challenges you met at our Garden Centre. Please be assured that we have raised this with our management team and they will pick up directly with the team there. We have noted the signage requests and will make sure they are rectified.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Santa's grotto 🫣

Took my daughter to see santa today. We come each year. Never experienced such a sham as I have today. No professionalism, The santa you've replaced the last one with. Was he drunk? He couldn't pronounce the kids names.. how could santa not know the names? Then his phone ringed in his bag and he tried to tell us it wasn't his and he didn't have one. But proceeded to rummage though his bag at side of his chair to get at it. He didn't seem like he wanted to be there and missed out what parents had wrote about their child and just skipped to what they wanted for Christmas. The Mrs claus was abrupt in her speaking and wasn't very knowledgeable about how to address the children even though tried her best to sort out the mess. Was like you had just grabbed 2 passers by to cover santa and Mrs claus. My daughter gave over santa a letter for him. He said.. " thanks ill make sure that gets to the right person" after that comment there's my daughter asking if he's not the real santa.. like what on earth.. picture time at the end and the santa didn't smile or anything just leaned over. The whole experience wasn't worth a free walk in. Let alone £19.99. Like normal I let the elves at checkin know my daughter is autistic so a appropriate gift is given. Anything will do but nothing she can injur herself with. You given her a needle set that makes a picture. Like 500 needles in a bag. With sequins on to make up a picture. This is no good for any 9 year old never mind a one that's autistic. Sorry santa and Mrs claus but this isn't the job for you. Please either go back to the santa from previous years. OR may I suggest you interview other candidates that will bring your Christmas grotto experience back up to a normal standard. I hate to write things like this but after that I had to. Its very sad

November 30, 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from britishgardencentres.com

Please can you reach out to our customer service team and let us know how we can get in touch with you - our email is enquiries@britishgardencentres.com - this is absolutely not what we would expect from our Grotto experience and would like to discuss with you in more detail if we can please.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Lack of professionalism

Visited the BGC in diss and it wasn’t a pleasant experience. Happy for mistakes to be made but the lack of professionalism that comes with it is what ruined the experienced.

Ordered food and drinks and only part of the order arrived. When we enquired about the missing part there was a huge debate because they stated it had arrived or not even been ordered but we had a receipt. For such a simple resolution it took forever to resolve and then the lack of professionalism by the staff after made it not enjoyable at all. The staff who were made aware of the error continued to look at our table and speak with each other whilst pulling faces. For someone who manages over 40 members of staff on a weekly basis coaching customer services, this was extremely disappointing to witness.

It’s a shame as the coffee was nice, but probably won’t return due to today experience.

November 24, 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from britishgardencentres.com

We are so sorry that your experience fell short of expectation and we take on board and thank you for your honest feedback. We will ensure that this is elevated within our teams internally and once again send our apologies.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Superb Christmas dinner at Brigg Garden…

Superb Christmas dinner at Brigg Garden Centre today. Super at table service in a great Christmas atmosphere. Good value too. Well done to all involved.

November 21, 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from britishgardencentres.com

Thank you so much for the five star review! We will ensure the restaurant team get to see your review too, it is always great to be appreciated.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Christmas lunch today

Had Christmas lunch today in Braintree,really enjoyed the meal. Becci our waitress was brilliant 👏. Perfect service from her and a very happy delightful lady that made us smile.

November 20, 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from britishgardencentres.com

We are delighted that you have enjoyed your lunch, and the friendly and helpful service our team provided. We hope to welcome you again soon.

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