Castle Gardens
Castle Gardens
4
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
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Restaurants
48 within 3 miles
Attractions
26 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
131 reviews
Excellent
71
Very good
21
Average
13
Poor
14
Terrible
12
Thomas D
4 contributions
Jul 2021
Glorious to wander through the reasonably priced gifts, tools and seeds before entering the most wonderful collection of plants, which we couldn't resist.
Covid creating problems for all such centres but they have created a safe environment despite a substantial number of people. We had a quick drink outside the main cafe so unable to comment on the food and service offered. The toilets were good and clean. Renovations were underway on pathways and a new greenhouse, so they are not standing still. A good sign.
Much better plants than the bigger chains at much better prices, being looked after in a very hot spell, by people who obviously care. Service was considerate if not fully effusive in one case. But there's a pandemic on.
We will be back to stay again in Sherborne and I will leave more space in the car for plants. Really enjoyed it.
Covid creating problems for all such centres but they have created a safe environment despite a substantial number of people. We had a quick drink outside the main cafe so unable to comment on the food and service offered. The toilets were good and clean. Renovations were underway on pathways and a new greenhouse, so they are not standing still. A good sign.
Much better plants than the bigger chains at much better prices, being looked after in a very hot spell, by people who obviously care. Service was considerate if not fully effusive in one case. But there's a pandemic on.
We will be back to stay again in Sherborne and I will leave more space in the car for plants. Really enjoyed it.
Written July 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Margaret J
Sherborne, UK41 contributions
Jun 2022
Lovely garden centre, good quality plants which are expensive. Staff are always helpful. Since the lockdown the cafe has become very expensive although it was never cheap. Over £8 for an ordinary bacon sandwich!
Written June 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Geoff H
Croydon, UK8 contributions
Jun 2022
The gardens were pleasant enough, but we thought they were quite expensive. It was a pity the castle was not open on the day we were here.
We were told that there was no tea room any more but that we would be given a 10% discount at the adjacent garden centre - this proved not to be the case, which we thought was poor.
We were told that there was no tea room any more but that we would be given a 10% discount at the adjacent garden centre - this proved not to be the case, which we thought was poor.
Written June 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David A
1 contribution
May 2022
I am not sure what we feel is worse, the rudeness, high café prices or the indifference of this business to bad reviews.
I actually used their website, Contact tab to email about our visit on Friday 20th May getting no response I am posting here.
The nursery is supposedly dog friendly but when we visited looking for the "Conservatory" which we had been told we could bring the dog in we on arriving assumed the first door into what looked to us to be the conservatory was the one to go in.
We sat up the end on table 13 out of the way of everybody and my wife went and ordered coffee, orange juice, lemon cake and a sausage sandwich for £16.85.
Our small dog (Tibetan terrier cross, size of a CockerPoo) settled quietly under the table.
When the waitress brought our drinks out it was "oh not sure if you should be here with the dog, i will check with my manager"
Manager duly arrived to tell us no we could not sit there.
At first we were surprised and said this is the conservatory?
No apparently it was the "Victorian Green House".
We were TOLD to move and thought we had to carry our drinks through to the "conservatory", but then he got a tray and escorted us to the lean to conservatory at the back.
We found this very embarrassing and it spoiled our treat of coffee and a bite to eat out.
To be honest we nearly asked for our money back and left before the food arrived but we stayed and on reflection regret doing so as we got no enjoyment out of the visit.
I think it would have been better if the manger had assessed the situation better, the Greenhouse was not full and we had a very small dog he could have said on this occasion you can stay but please use the other room next time.
Also we feel you should have a notice on the Victorian Greenhouse door saying no dogs in this area if it is so important.
So basically what seems to be a common theme, Rudeness, Indifference and high prices . £7.95 for a sandwich with wilted garnish and the tiniest pot of tomato sauce imaginable just about two teaspoons.
Sherborne has many lovely cafe's pick anyone they are it appears all better.
I actually used their website, Contact tab to email about our visit on Friday 20th May getting no response I am posting here.
The nursery is supposedly dog friendly but when we visited looking for the "Conservatory" which we had been told we could bring the dog in we on arriving assumed the first door into what looked to us to be the conservatory was the one to go in.
We sat up the end on table 13 out of the way of everybody and my wife went and ordered coffee, orange juice, lemon cake and a sausage sandwich for £16.85.
Our small dog (Tibetan terrier cross, size of a CockerPoo) settled quietly under the table.
When the waitress brought our drinks out it was "oh not sure if you should be here with the dog, i will check with my manager"
Manager duly arrived to tell us no we could not sit there.
At first we were surprised and said this is the conservatory?
No apparently it was the "Victorian Green House".
We were TOLD to move and thought we had to carry our drinks through to the "conservatory", but then he got a tray and escorted us to the lean to conservatory at the back.
We found this very embarrassing and it spoiled our treat of coffee and a bite to eat out.
To be honest we nearly asked for our money back and left before the food arrived but we stayed and on reflection regret doing so as we got no enjoyment out of the visit.
I think it would have been better if the manger had assessed the situation better, the Greenhouse was not full and we had a very small dog he could have said on this occasion you can stay but please use the other room next time.
Also we feel you should have a notice on the Victorian Greenhouse door saying no dogs in this area if it is so important.
So basically what seems to be a common theme, Rudeness, Indifference and high prices . £7.95 for a sandwich with wilted garnish and the tiniest pot of tomato sauce imaginable just about two teaspoons.
Sherborne has many lovely cafe's pick anyone they are it appears all better.
Written May 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elaine H
5 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
Castle Gardens cafe- best avoided!!! Staff completely indifferent to customers, more interested in chatting to each other and making the cafe inaccessible by placing a chair in the entrance doorway, I had checked as I arrived at the garden centre that the cafe was still open and we went straight there in plenty of time. Once we had battled our way in (the staff were obviously preempting last orders) Dad and I waited having been told to sit in a 'dog' area but no further advice was given about ordering which made me think it was table service, no one thought to check on us either or tell us we needed to order at the till so after 10 minutes waiting and hearing one of the staff say to another customer attempting to order that they only had 7 minutes, we decided to leave. I was then told I needed to order at the till and one of the staff pointed at a large poster like I was an idiot The staff need some basic customer service training. I won't be wasting my time trying to take my dad who has dementia here again and I advise anyone wanting a decent level of service and a simple cup of tea and a cake to look elsewhere.
I've given it one point but only because I had to.
I've given it one point but only because I had to.
Written November 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SouthWest
East Coker, UK26 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
Very rude & unhelpful woman on checkout! Other staff are fine & most are very helpful.. however the small blonde woman who told me she didn’t like gardening & also when asked said she wouldn’t be able to watch my plants (paid for!) whilst I went to collect my car parked across the road, was definitely not. I’d spent over £100.. when I asked about large bags of soil she pointed me to an area outside & offered no help or advise whatsoever.. very off hand..(I have a visible limp from a recent operation).. she also said she didn’t know which soil was low peat. Definitely shouldn’t be working with the public service industry let alone a high end garden centre! Such a shame as most people here are pleasant & helpful.. the plants aren’t cheap but majority are good strong specimens. Cafe is very pleasant but waits can be a bit long when busy.. Again not the cheapest prices in Sherborne but the setting is nice..
Written May 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
simon c
1 contribution
Feb 2023
Having been here many times in the past our visit yesterday lunchtime was a big disappointment; there were 3 of us and, having collected a menu (these are not on the table) we decided on the "stew of the day". This has to be ordered at the till and paid for before it is served. The stew was leek, potato, root vegetable and chicken. It arrived fairly promptly but appeared to be a sort of thick broth with the "chicken" ingredient consisting of some small cubes of whitish material. Afterwards we thought we must have been mistakenly given the soup but this was not the case. Very poor value for £10! The place was busy and the staff helpful and pleasant but possibly overstretched. Menu and pricing needs attention.
Written March 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NcjohnsonSomerset
Croydon, UK25 contributions
May 2020
I have had two really poor experiences here recently.
I visited a few months ago and the restaurant was a mess. I needed milk and literally asked three people before getting any. It was all quite shambolic and the tables were a mess. Thank god for the one member of staff that does an amazing job. He's been there for a long time and used to work at Ask. His lovely attitude helps to balance out the poor attitude of some of his colleagues.
Then I returned post lock down to buy some plants for an elderly neighbour. The experience was awful. I appreciate their attention to trying to make the shop safe but the single lines and the lecture at the start about not being able to go back anywhere just made it a really stressful experience - not just for me as there were a couple who were barked at by a staff member over some error in where they stood who seemed upset by it. Why not just let a certain number of people in at a time and take away the stress?
Plus the signs that 'card payments are preferred' suggests that cash is still allowed. My elderly neighbour gave me cash and I ended up having to put all her shopping on my card because my cash was refused. Why not just make it clear that either cash is not accepted - or, give staff gloves to wear when / if handled?
Castle Gardens really need to invest a little in training staff and looking at shop logistics.
I visited a few months ago and the restaurant was a mess. I needed milk and literally asked three people before getting any. It was all quite shambolic and the tables were a mess. Thank god for the one member of staff that does an amazing job. He's been there for a long time and used to work at Ask. His lovely attitude helps to balance out the poor attitude of some of his colleagues.
Then I returned post lock down to buy some plants for an elderly neighbour. The experience was awful. I appreciate their attention to trying to make the shop safe but the single lines and the lecture at the start about not being able to go back anywhere just made it a really stressful experience - not just for me as there were a couple who were barked at by a staff member over some error in where they stood who seemed upset by it. Why not just let a certain number of people in at a time and take away the stress?
Plus the signs that 'card payments are preferred' suggests that cash is still allowed. My elderly neighbour gave me cash and I ended up having to put all her shopping on my card because my cash was refused. Why not just make it clear that either cash is not accepted - or, give staff gloves to wear when / if handled?
Castle Gardens really need to invest a little in training staff and looking at shop logistics.
Written May 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nicola W
8 contributions
Nov 2021 • Friends
Great place but unfortunately spoilt by the rudest restaurant manager ever! I asked (politely and friendly) if it was possible to put the parasol up as it was drizzling slightly and there were no inside tables. With no explanation as to why he replied a very abrupt "No!" (nothing else) and walked off. It is a shame because the garden centre is amazing and the restaurant very good. All the other staff were great.
It left a bitter note to what would have been a nice visit. If you can't manage being civil, you shouldn't be a manager!
It left a bitter note to what would have been a nice visit. If you can't manage being civil, you shouldn't be a manager!
Written November 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alisonnick_11
Dorchester, UK44 contributions
Feb 2023 • Friends
Great little find. Very friendly man at the till. Yummy carrot cake for me and bacon sarnies for my friends. Great atmosphere.....recent bad reviews made me a bit apprehensive but really no need.....it was great!! Go and visit
Written February 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Phil L
dorset england3 contributions
can you take dog with you
Janet F
Sherborne, UK35 contributions
There is an outside area which is lovely to take the dog on a sunny day and enjoy a snack or meal. Inside the garden centre, I'm not too sure but it's best to nip through into the outside area with the dog. We've done so on many occasions but obviously they don't want a dog inside because space is limited
Castle Gardens (Sherborne) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Castle Gardens
- Castle Gardens is open:
- Sun - Sun 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
- Mon - Sat 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Restaurants near Castle Gardens:
- (0.00 mi) The Walled Garden
- (0.25 mi) Seasons 2 AA Rosette Restaurant at the Eastbury Hotel & Spa
- (0.41 mi) Tamburino Gold
- (0.24 mi) The Station Cafe
- (0.41 mi) Digby Tap