The Parkridge Centre
The Parkridge Centre
4
About
Set in the middle of Brueton Park, on the edge of Solihull Town Centre, the Parkridge Centre and its 5.5 acre nature area offer a tranquil setting for environmental education and information, plus a wide variety of nature conservation events and activities throughout the year.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.0
38 reviews
Excellent
11
Very good
18
Average
5
Poor
1
Terrible
3
Travel701054
Solihull, UK4 contributions
Nov 2022 • Family
Used to be a great little cafe with friendly staff and lots of cake and snack choices for kids.
Now it's young kids serving on weekends who clearly don't want to be there. The old proper coffee machines have gone and you're paying 3 quid for an automated button machine coffee similar to what you'd get out of a petrol station. Cake and sandwich counter has been replaced by a permanent ice-cream freezer which was useful on a November morning. Used to enjoy coming here on a morning and watching the bird feeders with a cake and coffee before a blast on the play area and nature walk. Bit naff really! Now we'll just walk through straight through to play area and keep my wallet in pocket. Owners need their heads knocking.
Now it's young kids serving on weekends who clearly don't want to be there. The old proper coffee machines have gone and you're paying 3 quid for an automated button machine coffee similar to what you'd get out of a petrol station. Cake and sandwich counter has been replaced by a permanent ice-cream freezer which was useful on a November morning. Used to enjoy coming here on a morning and watching the bird feeders with a cake and coffee before a blast on the play area and nature walk. Bit naff really! Now we'll just walk through straight through to play area and keep my wallet in pocket. Owners need their heads knocking.
Written November 19, 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.
Mills9876
The Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield, UK4 contributions
Sep 2022 • Friends
Absolutely shocking service. The food options are so limited, only toasties available. Went in with a friend who ordered a ham and cheese toastie. She paid and then the man on the till told me there isn’t any ham and does my friend still want it. I went to check for him (!) and she said that’s fine. I went back to the till and said ok I’ll have a cheese toastie then as you don’t have any ham. The lady in charge said I couldn’t have this as they only have one portion of everything available. There were no other toastie options so I said can I just have the sides it comes with (crisps/ salad). She said no as she ‘wouldn’t be able to work out how much to charge me’. Ridiculous. There were lots of fresh cakes in the fridge so I said I’ll have one of them instead. The lady said ‘they’re not ready to be sold yet so you can’t order one of them’. She instead tried to sell me the old dried up display cake that did not look appetising at all! So I sat with nothing to eat whilst my friend ate her cheese toastie. The staff were not apologetic or bothered in the slightest about customer service, we were really shocked! It’s not often I wrote a negative review but me and my friend both had babies and I had stopped for a well needed bite and drink whilst breastfeeding. What a shame as this place is in such an ideal location and we would have spent a few hours here eating lunch and cake if they had adequate food available!
Written September 4, 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.
amazon_7
Solihull8 contributions
Feb 2015
I visited this little café with my family twice this week as it was half term. It's a lovely little place but unfortunately it's let down by rude staff.
The opening hours are listed as 10am till 4pm - but what they actually mean is 10am till 3.50pm. On Thursday, we arrived at 3.50 and the ladies told us they were closed. My children were obviously upset as they'd been promised a snack after whizzing around the lake on their scooters. So I asked if we could just grab a couple of snacks and a hot cup of tea to take out and the ladies were fine with that, although they were visibly clearing away and packing up as we were being served. Not really a problem but I did wonder why the sign on the door said 4pm if they were turning people away at 3.50pm. Anyway, I paid for our items and we were all back out the door by 3.54.
We took the children again this afternoon, once again just hoping for a quick takeout before closing so the children could have a last play outside before it got dark.
I opened the door at 3.48pm and was greeted with a room half full of eating/drinking customers and a lady, rudely shouting "We are closed!" from the till. I asked "Oh, even for takeout?" and she replied (again rudely) "Yes! We're all closed up now!" Of course, my children burst into tears but we left the café and went outside.
I told my husband, who was waiting outside, that they were not even doing takeout and he went inside to politely ask if they were closing early today as the sign outside the door said 4pm. The lady rudely snapped that they do takeaway only from 3.30 and then they close. He asked "Oh, so you close *before* 4 then?" and she shouted "We do today, yes!" She didn't explain this.
It's a shame that this little café is spoiled by the attitude of one or two ladies as it could be fab.
I think if they want to stop serving at 3.50pm, fine, just state that on the listed opening times. However, there is never any need for shouting or rudeness and a little bit of understanding, maybe even an apology, would certainly not go amiss when changing the closing times without prior notice.
I suggest maybe a customer service course for some of the staff members and perhaps a warning sign, both online and on the door, stating that 4pm actually means 3.50 at the Parkridge Centre.
The opening hours are listed as 10am till 4pm - but what they actually mean is 10am till 3.50pm. On Thursday, we arrived at 3.50 and the ladies told us they were closed. My children were obviously upset as they'd been promised a snack after whizzing around the lake on their scooters. So I asked if we could just grab a couple of snacks and a hot cup of tea to take out and the ladies were fine with that, although they were visibly clearing away and packing up as we were being served. Not really a problem but I did wonder why the sign on the door said 4pm if they were turning people away at 3.50pm. Anyway, I paid for our items and we were all back out the door by 3.54.
We took the children again this afternoon, once again just hoping for a quick takeout before closing so the children could have a last play outside before it got dark.
I opened the door at 3.48pm and was greeted with a room half full of eating/drinking customers and a lady, rudely shouting "We are closed!" from the till. I asked "Oh, even for takeout?" and she replied (again rudely) "Yes! We're all closed up now!" Of course, my children burst into tears but we left the café and went outside.
I told my husband, who was waiting outside, that they were not even doing takeout and he went inside to politely ask if they were closing early today as the sign outside the door said 4pm. The lady rudely snapped that they do takeaway only from 3.30 and then they close. He asked "Oh, so you close *before* 4 then?" and she shouted "We do today, yes!" She didn't explain this.
It's a shame that this little café is spoiled by the attitude of one or two ladies as it could be fab.
I think if they want to stop serving at 3.50pm, fine, just state that on the listed opening times. However, there is never any need for shouting or rudeness and a little bit of understanding, maybe even an apology, would certainly not go amiss when changing the closing times without prior notice.
I suggest maybe a customer service course for some of the staff members and perhaps a warning sign, both online and on the door, stating that 4pm actually means 3.50 at the Parkridge Centre.
Written February 21, 2015
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.
Hi,
I'm extremely sorry for any upset that you may have experienced on your visits to the Parkridge Centre. The cafe at Parkridge is a franchise, and not directly run by Warwickshire Wildlife Trust; however I have referred your comments to the Trust's Visitor Centre Manager, Amanda Evans, who will speak to the member of cafe staff in question. She would also be happy to discuss the problem further with you if you could contact the centre by phone.
I hope this experience will not put you off returning to the Parkridge Centre.
Kind regards,
Emma Richmond
Marketing and Communications Officer
Written February 25, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
John W
Solihull, UK84 contributions
Jun 2014 • Friends
As someone who loves his coffee, I would recommend this café. The service is excellent.
Give it a try.
Give it a try.
Written July 1, 2014
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.
Hi,
Thanks for your review, I'm glad that you enjoy the cafe at Parkridge. Have you been out onto the reserve itself? It has some beautiful features that are perfect for a summer stroll.
Kind regards,
Emma Richmond
Communications Assistant
Written July 21, 2014
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
wendyanddavid536
Solihull, UK2,211 contributions
Oct 2017 • Friends
A great place to come after a walk through Malvern and Brueton Parks. Staff are always friendly and helpful, coffee good, jacket potatoes excellent.
The café also is the entrance to the lovely wildlife centre, which is great to wander around, especially with young children.
The café also is the entrance to the lovely wildlife centre, which is great to wander around, especially with young children.
Written October 16, 2017
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.
DemolitionExpert
Solihull, UK61 contributions
Aug 2017 • Family
nice place . cheap eats, clean loos, nice staff. about in the middle of the park , you walk to it. there is a car park which is free for the first three hours
Written September 6, 2017
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.
John F
Birmingham74 contributions
Jun 2017 • Solo
One of my favourite places for a coffee & a snack........however prices seem to be going up lately, which is a shame as the place and its surroundings have so much potential.
Must see........the beautiful pool behind the cafe, complete with nesting herons !
Must see........the beautiful pool behind the cafe, complete with nesting herons !
Written June 3, 2017
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.
Stephanie D
Birmingham, United Kingdom13 contributions
Aug 2016
This center is actually in the park its self so you have to walk through the park to get to ir. It has loads of activities on during the holidays that mostly are aimed at younger children but it does have a nice wooded play area for smaller children as well. If you are looking for an activity whilst you are there its great but I would get the updates from the Solihull email so that you are able to pre book but they do everything form Easter activities to den building.
Written April 11, 2017
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.
Stella B
Solihull, UK21 contributions
Aug 2016 • Friends
I nice little spot to have a coffee and cake break. Its located by the wildlife center so things on hand to keep little ones entertained. Lots to see while relaxing.
Written September 13, 2016
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.
Jackie J
Solihull, UK16 contributions
Mar 2015 • Friends
Perhaps the lady that complains about staff , shutting early should maybe try and get to centre sometime earlier than the last 5 minutes before every closing times....they do have to tidy up after all customers have left! And children cried when they found it was closed, (spoilt I would say) if that's all it takes! Maybe be a good idea in future to take a couple of little snacks and a drink for them with you!
Written March 20, 2015
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.
Hi,
Thanks for reviewing the Parkridge Centre. We do take complaints extremely seriously and have endeavoured to resolve the previous issue. However, I'm pleased that you yourself have always enjoyed your visits to Parkridge, and have left such kind comments in the title of your review.
Many thanks,
Emma Richmond
Marketing and Communications Officer
Written April 2, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
No questions have been asked about this experience
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Claim your listingThe Parkridge Centre - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about The Parkridge Centre
- Hotels near The Parkridge Centre:
- (0.68 mi) Crowne Plaza Solihull, an IHG Hotel
- (0.92 mi) Premier Inn Solihull Town Centre hotel
- (0.55 mi) Ramada by Wyndham Birmingham Solihull
- (1.26 mi) Travelodge Solihull
- (1.86 mi) Hogarths Hotel
- Restaurants near The Parkridge Centre:
- (0.69 mi) Jamaya Solihull
- (0.69 mi) Yakinori Solihull Touchwood
- (0.67 mi) Alioli
- (0.60 mi) Panchuli
- (0.77 mi) The Delhi
The Parkridge Centre Information
Excellent Reviews | 11 |
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Very Good Reviews | 18 |
The Parkridge Centre Photos | 2 |