Shopping Guide: Godfrey's Gardens
An Informed Shopper's Guide to This Garden Centre
Why You Should Visit
- A Gardener's Haven for Quality Plants: You'll find a selection of healthy-looking, quality plants at competitive prices. The range is considered by some to be "easily the best" compared to other local garden centres.
- Bonsai Enthusiast's Paradise: The location offers an outstanding selection of bonsai trees, with specimens of varying ages and sizes. The bonsai shop also carries bonsai tools and wires at reasonable prices. You can expect expert advice from the staff.
- Friendly & Helpful Staff: Shoppers can expect to encounter lovely, welcoming, and chatty staff. They are described as very pleasant and helpful.
- A Cafe Experience: There's a tea room on-site, with some reviews suggesting it's a "must visit." Some reviews speak of a very nice tea room with friendly staff and nice decor. You can get a breakfast buffet for £7.95. Afternoon tea is available, and it's been described as excellent value for money.
- Variety of Products: Aside from plants and trees, you can find sheds, pottery, furniture, and even records and hifi in the shop. It seems to have a "bit of everything" for shoppers.
- Convenient Location (Sort Of): While set back from the main road, the location is signposted and may be worth finding.
Why You Might Consider Alternatives
- Small Car Park: Be aware that the car park is not very big, and it might not be ideal for extended visits.
- Limited Accessibility: The location lacks disabled parking and clear signage. Shoppers with mobility issues may find it inaccessible, and navigating the site may be challenging.
- Cluttered Layout: The garden centre itself may be a bit cluttered, and the layout might not be ideal for easy browsing.
- Inconsistent Cafe Experience: While the tea room has received positive reviews, some found the breakfast buffet disappointing, citing small portions and issues with the quality of the food. It's currently closed until new staff can be found.
- Higher Prices: Prices are definitely "up there," according to one review.
- Opening Hours Uncertainties: The location may not be open as advertised. It's advisable to check opening times beforehand to avoid disappointment.
- Inconsistent Staff Interactions: Although many staff members are friendly, at least one negative interaction was reported.
- Basic Plant Selection: For basic garden needs, the plant selection is considered adequate, but it is not a destination for a wide variety of plants.