Overview

The main restaurant is very busy so I'd recommend going to the smaller cafe at the back. It's wheelchair friendly, spacious and there's different seating options and outdoor seating which is accessible. There's milk alternatives and a selection of gluten free cakes which are yummy. Staff are helpful, friendly and knowledgable on allergy information. There is a steep ramp up to the restaurant/café but there is an accessible route. There are wheelchairs and mobility scooters to hire. The garden bit is spacious and has accessible routes but the gift shop area can be a bit narrow to fit my wheelchair around in places. There's plenty to look at in the shop area to have a nice browse around from gift to yarn to candles. Even on a rainy day it's a nice place to visit. There's a children's play area outside. There are some obstacles like hosepipes and bridge ramps to go over around the outdoor area. The toilets and parking could be improved.

Transport & Parking

Not many blue badge parking spaces and when we got there all the spaces where taken so it made it problematic for getting me and my wheelchair in and out of the car. We did mention this to customer services and suggested having more accessible parking spaces especially as the car park is very big. If you don't have a blue parking badge there is some nearer spaces to the entrance but these are usually taken up first so there may be a bit of a walk to the entrance.

Access

Signage was okay. Accessible step-free routes and ramps. Some obstacles like hosepipes when plants are being watered. I was able to see most of what I wanted to see though in the shop area some of the displays where a bit close together which made it difficult in my wheelchair. The main aisles where wide enough and there was plenty of space in the outdoor plant area. Seating in the café and restaurant to take a break in. Staff where helpful if you couldn't read things on the menu boards.

Toilets

For such a big place they could do with more toilets dotted around. The accessible toilets were clean enough and spacious and had enough room to fit my manual wheelchair in and there was m grab rails. It would be hard to fit a carer in or a large electric wheelchair in I think. The mirror was located too high for a wheelchair user. For a popular garden centre I’d love to see a Changing Places. The red cord wasn’t accessible.

Staff

Staff in the café were friendly and helpful. They was knowledgable and happy for me to ask about allergies when I asked about the ingredients in the soup. When I spoke with the staff at customer services about the lack of accessible parking spaces I felt listened to. Staff outside were helpful to help me find plants and pots.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

As I've mentioned they could do with more toilets, or even just a couple of accessible loos dotted around so there's one close by as it's such a big place. They could also do with more accessible parking spaces. I've visited this place many times and always enjoy going and having a look around and I'd be happy to go again. The layout of the shop area could be improved to make it easier to manoeuvre around in. The emergency red cords in the accessible toilets also need to be made reachable as they was tucked behind the bin. There were quieter spaces to sit in the café which I found helpful for my autism. Staff were easy to identify as they wore hi-viz. If you don’t like busy places I would avoid coming here at Christmas time however they do have lovely Christmas displays at this time of year.

Photos