Lovely gardens with cafe with step free access
4.5
4.5
Date of visit: November 2018
I have experience of challenges around: moving around
Overall Rating
Excellent
Botanical gardens including orchids, cafe and pond. Among former visitors to the gardens is Agatha Christie.
Disabled Access In and Around
Excellent
The garden is step free and well laid out. The gardens are mainly flat and where there are stairs there is also a ramp. The garden are quite small but there is a lot to see. Dotted around the garden are benches. At the far end of the garden is an outdoor cafe with free standing seats and tables. The cafe sells light lunches, home-made cake and drinks.
Parking & Transport
Good
Local buses stop near the gardens or taxis can drop you outside. If travelling from the sea front the gardens are on top of a steep hill.
Accessible Toilets
Poor
There are men's and ladies' toilets. However there were no accessible toilets and as there was no grab rails I struggled to use the toilet.
Staff
Excellent
Staff were very friendly and welcoming. The lady in the cafe was very helpful. I ordered my food at the counter and food was brought to my table.
Additional Information
The gardens are extremely charming and tranquil. The orchid collection is amazing. There is also information about different people who have visited the gardens over the years, such as artists. Agatha Christie came here in 1927, shortly after she had seperated from her first husband Archie, and the gardens have inspired a Mr Quin story and her grandson has planted a tree there. The cafe serves delicious food and the gardens are a place to linger, relax and enjoy. I preferred these gardens to the Botanical Gardens, as they are more intimate and hidden away. I would definately visit again and highly recommend it.
