Visited yesterday as I am exploring a new area having moved nearby recently. I agree with some of the other reviews regarding the lack of staff, long queues for drinks and placing orders. One poor man serving at the counter. Loads of uncleared tables, dirty chairs and water dripping from the roof onto seats. The rest of the Garden Centre looked very tired and tatty. Given the high standard of some other GC's nearby I wont be back.

Since taking over previous Findern garden centre, Dobbies seems light in products to sell and more expensive then other garden centres near by. Cafe dis-organised as in find table number where you are sitting, then get up to go order food. Why not order, sit, give people a wooden spoon with order number on it for staff to find you? Rather than finding a table then go back to order food in which time someone else has taken the table!

Genuinely awful cafe, hygiene standards are beyond poor. Zero effort made, possibly the slowest and worst service we’ve ever had anywhere. Reheating already steamed milk is a massive no no in food hygiene which they did 15 times + during our 20 minutes queue for a cup of tea. They actually have some really nice equipment but it’s so poorly maintained, and to have it on display for customers to see the staff using it is a really weird decision. There really is a lack of care and effort made, asking premium prices but not delivering premium products or service. We’ve contacted customer services before regarding hygiene standards about 12 months ago but no reply. We thought we’d try again but still the same.

We enjoy going to Dobbies for our cup of coffee and no matter how people complain the staff are always very good so if you have to wait because they are busy then you have to wait. I’ve just been in and thought we would have a mince pie seeing it nearly Xmas but when l got to the checkout and was charged £2.58 for 2 small mince pies and they were small so it is a bit expensive. Called in Aldi on the way back and payed £1.09 for 6. Just read a review from someone complaining about the manager and l must say that we have always found him to be helping out when it is busy and never walks around doing nothing

Good selection of plants, tools, seeds etc. We really like the fish, aquarium department. All this and there is a Waitrose for fancy treats. Overall: good, although a little expensive.

Came for the cafe and play space for my son. Play area still closed with no staff knowing when it would re open. Cafe always slow, why don't they put more staff on?? I saw 4 staff members sorting the fish out..... And several others just walking round seemingly doing nothing. Won't be coming again. To end on a positive the coffee and flapjack was nice after the long wait.

Cafe always has a long queue, wasn't as bad today but such a slow process with 1 person taking orders and 1 poor woman having to make all the drinks. Tables were appalling again, 13 tables with dirty pots and the 2 trolleys in the dining area full! Wish i hadn't renewed my membership as it's not an enjoyable visit anymore, there's far cleaner and more organised garden centre cafes to go too

Shocking place!! The manager of the cafe just walks around doing nothing. He tries to tell customers waiting in the queue that "it won't be long, it's not us that's slow, it's the till system"... well, why don't you help your colleagues out and jump on the second till instead of pretending to work, or better yet, staff your cafe properly to begin with. The service is always terrible. I ended up walking out as once I finally reached the till to be served, they refused to cook breakfast items as it was 11.32am and it finished at 11.30am. Despite the fact I'd queued for 20 minutes!!! The staff also tried to lie and say they'd 'ran out' of breakfasts. So we all left and went to McDonald's!! Where the staff are much more welcoming!! Safe to say I'm cancelling my annual membership, and 2 other family members have done the same.

A good garden centre with some beautiful, if not expensive, plants. Worth keeping one’s eye upon the sale rail in the clothing department as I once bought a wonderful pair of brand new, lined and woollen, winter trousers here for only £1. The kitchen wear department is particularly interesting and the small Sainsbury’s local can be useful. The cafe is fine but very much canteen type food though of an excellent quality.

Lots of parking. Dogs allowed inside. Cotton Traders inside, Pet area, lots of plants, small furniture area, and a home furnishings section. The plant section is actually quite good. Restaurant inside, pets not allowed in the restaurant. Outside seating too. Children's play area in restaurant. The restaurant is table service, which is unusual for a garden centre. We were told to take a table, then no menus arrived, we had to guess what we wanted !! They do afternoon tea which you can book a table online for. Maybe check the menu online before arriving... Nice cake selection though.