Cloverdale Retreat, Priory Country Park in Bedford - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

Popped in, looked around and we both said NO as the place was crammed with tables both inside and out on the decking. The cafe counter was empty with just two other couples outside, as we looked at the state of the place, went back to the Beefeater for a proper coffee.

The food has become awful and very overpriced. My burger was £10 and it was made very cheaply very greasy and topped undercooked bacon. It made me feel ill. Asked for chips and was told they don't serve them. So was given 'cheesy potatoes' they were completely horrible undercooked and again so greasy. The salad was basically grated carrots and 5 bits of cucumber. £10 ??? The food used to be lovely abd I would visit regularly but now I will very much avoid ever eating here again such a shame as staff are lovely.

Given up with this place, lovely location, everything else is poor. From the diabolical coffee to the cheaply acquired cakes. Add to that the queue runs right past the tables of people trying to enjoy their visit, outside they have crammed too many tables on the creaking decking.

Seriously when does the British greed stop. £3.50 & £6.50 for Ice cream. Are you being serious. Not to mention the extortion of the cost of food. I'd rather starve then pay these outrageous prices. But people still continue to pay. No, I'm taking a stand at these boutique coffee shops

Great place, worst coffee in Bedford. The queue is not long but the staff isn’t able to process simple orders which leads to massive waiting times. For some reason the entire cafe is covered with laminated paper warning (chill is a cafe!) which makes it look ridiculous.

The place is lovely but it's rather expensive for what you get. Great if you can afford to pay for gold ice cream. A scoop of ice cream costs £3.50

Quite packed, with a bit of a wait for food. Not their fault. They're in a popular spot that is busy by the marina.

Good coffee and a reasonable price. Great outlook onto the lake.

It is a nice place to sit, outside or in. The service is very slow and I think that the prices are very high.

Great fresh food. Service was awesome , friendly and value for money on a day out. Kept very clean . Child friendly with various food alternatives. A lovely little place.

Visited Saturday and had a lovely full English breakfast and a mocha was all freshly made and a short waiting time. The staff made me and my two friends very welcome also definitely be revisiting soon

Expensive. Can I have a flake with my ice cream please, you have to have broken ones on a napkin. Err ok, rather have a non broken one at £6.60 a double cone. Bit skanky.

Utter chaos. Woman took the order for toastie. Then I gave her 5 drinks to make. She didn’t write the drinks down… so kept asking “was that an iced coffee?” Yes please. Made a latte, then asked again “was that an iced coffee”. Then she asked again what the other drinks were. I Had to repeat the order 3 times. Behind me a long queue developed. People huffing and tutting behind me. Drinks finally done! My son in law took them to the family on the green. 15 mins later, I’m still waiting for the toastie. Another 5 mins passed now 20 mins … still waiting. In the end I complained - the chaos. Drinks not written down. Delays in a simple food request. Manager refunded the cost of toastie. By the time I eventually joined my family, 25 mins later. They’d all enjoyed their picnic without me …. I won’t be returning there again. Cost extortionate too £24 for 5 drinks and a toastie. Bring your own food and drinks!

Not wheelchair or buggy friendly. Also no dogs allowed. Way too many tables in the space with chunky heavy chairs. You are squeezing past other people to get to your seat with the queue running through the middle of the seating area. Seemingly useless display shelves within the doorway. So much opportunity to use this space in a more productive way. Physically we couldn't use this space again unless we sit outside every time which isn't ideal. Hope it changes soon so we can make the most of the facilities in this great location.

Nice cafe situated in #PrioryCountryPark Bedford. Pretty good selection of hot and cold food and drinks with prices that are reasonable. It does get busy so you may have to wait for food. All staff are good.

Nice cake. Service was quick and friendly Atmosphere was very good nice window view.

Multiple times I’ve been here now and it’s been awful service, the staff and miserable and rude and this is the last time we will visit. The food and drink was not nice either

Nice cafe in the park. Good food selection, nothing too big, more like snack type food. Eat in or out, takeaway too. Closing time depends on how busy they are. Tuna mayo sarnie is lush!

Nice place to relax after a long walk with a lovely view Dogs are welcome which is a must for us Food is good quality however the reason for 3 stars is because I just can’t justify £8 for a sausage baguette. Prices could be better for items on offer

We visit this café on a regular basis, and have never had a bad experience. Staff are friendly and efficient. Food is of great, homemade quality and comes in generous portions. Always a pleasure to visit - whether it's for lunch or just to get an ice cream to walk round the lake with. Thank to the staff for all their hard work!

Nice place. The full english is ok. I gave it three stars. I like a fry up. Most of the breakfast is v. Healthy grilled bacon & sausage, poached egg, grilled toms and mushroom. The hash browns needed a bit longer. So though healthy, not to my preference. I do prefer a fried egg. Good service 5 star & excellent spot to have a coffee. I think I am being quite generous, but overall a nice place.

After a walk around Priory Park, a delightful hot chocolate or coffee is great

This little cafe is ideal to stop at after you have walked around the Priory Marina Park at Bedford.You can also sit outside.

Very good egg and mushrooms on toast at a good price. Yummy mandarin and chocolate cake, delicately flavoured.Good coffee. Staff helpful &friendly. Nice enough inside&clean. Great to be able to sit outside when weather allows. Toilets nearby.Thanks

It was not busy and service is so slow. The staff are quite rude, there's definitely no warm welcome. Such a shame.

Quick stop for refreshments after a walk around the park. Lovely coffee, tea, and cake. It's just a shame that drinks come in disposable cups

A nice place for a hot drink and cake on a chilly walk around the lake.

I used to visit the coffee shop after my walk. However, no longer stop at the coffee shop as find the Staff are very unpleasant and quite offhand Love the park, though

Good on the whole. Bit crowded because the queue takes up a lot of space in the eating area.

Worst every place I have been for coffee. I ordered a latte and one cappuccino. As I saw, She put both cups at coffee machine, frisk milk and add in both cups. When I asked which is latte & cappuccino? She replied one of them Is latte and other is cappuccinos. She is kidding me or making a joke of me. When I had sip, it’s taste just like boiled water. Not only I waste my money but time as well. Never ever step my foot again there.

Did not purchase any food. We only had take away coffee. It was very busy therefore a long waiting time. Still a lovely area to visit.

Clean, good food, good choices, well done

First time I have been to the Marina, which was before Cloverdale Retreat . I was very impressed with the food and the excellent choice. Thank you.

Extremely busy, staff managed amazingly well, gorgeous flat white! Great price too!

The cafe was closed before it was meant to.

Plenty of space outside with tables and chairs. The view of the lake is beautiful with boats leisurely sailing ⛵️ by.

Lovely people and wonderful service

Unfortunately cake seemed a bit hard and not fresh

Average cafe food but a nice terrace and venue. Spent £45 on food and asked for a glass of water… told we don’t have any glasses for water but you can buy a bottle of water. Customers with a bottle of water and can of coke are given a glass 😂 Tight & greedy attitude. Slow service.

£1.60 for a can of pepsi Max. And then the member of staff had the audacity to try and charge another 30p if I wanted a cup. I didn't eat here as a bacon sandwich was £6.00. yep. A rip off of a place. If you are visiting, pop into the local shops and pick up a drink and sandwich first.

Very nice place but the staff could do with putting a smile on there faces

Ordered a white Americano - it tasted like hot water. Husband had a latte which burnt his mouth. Awful coffee - and it's not even cheap.

Good food and service. Pleasant surroundings. Can get very busy

Excellent all round food and excellent quality Comfortable and friendly

Not best service in their on few occasions so won't be returning.

Lovely relaxing place but wait to be served is too long. I only wanted one ice cream and waited in queue for about 20 mins

Nice place with plenty of choice in there.

I didn't try their food, but bought some drinks a few times - their hot chocolate is to die for!!! We are all addicted to it. The staff is very friendly and helpful.

Went for breakfast must say it was very good could not fault it. Definitely going again.

Priory Park is a lovely place - to walk around the lake or to enjoy the children's play area and outdoor gym equipment. Either way you'll want to end up in the café. They have a very full menu, the food and cakes are excellent and the service is very efficient. It does get busy though so expect to queue (,but don't be put off!)😊

Quite pricey for average food, takes a long time to be served and the lady is a bit rude - it always seems like a chore to take your order

Outdoor seating has a great view of the lake

Lovely atmosphere and a simply divine breakfast. Thank you

I keep coming back because the setting is wonderful and every time I hope to be pleasantly surprised with the food options. Sadly it's just not happening. I'm sure this place used to be better at providing alternative options for different diets. My daughter is Coeliac and I am egg and dairy free and the last three times I have been here now there has been nothing I can eat. I ask for vegan options so's not to scare staff with the idea of an allergic customer (I'm not, I'm intolerant) and you'd think that with the current hype there would be vegan options??? All I want is a piece of cake or flapjack to go with my soya tea. Can't a sealed long life option be available from the likes of Love More service packs?

Lovely quiet place for a morning cup of tea and a teacake. Now that summer is here great place to sit outside.

Mediocre food and coffee and grumpy staff member.

Had a tuna mayonnaise sandwich which was nice said it came with salad ,which was very sparse would have liked bit more , friendly staff , always nice place to come , wish they sold crisps , and there policy is not to do fried eggs as well odd ,but ok otherwise

Good facilities in public park for dog walkers sitting outside only.

Lovely place. very romantic. I'm always happy to go there. I recommend

It's a pleasant spot and the staff seem nice enough, but the cafe itself is cramped and the coffee is really poor, little more than brown water. Disappointing for the price.

The coffee is extremely weak and overpriced at £3 a cup. However, the atmosphere and views are brilliant.

Good hot chocolate but very small building

Had 2 full English, bit expensive, but tasted like everything was cooked fresh, I would go again

Fab little coffee shop in the perfect place to stop after a walk around the lake and Priory Park. Nice to have the option to sit outside when the weather is better. Friendly staff too!

Very good service and will be returning there soon

Based at pirory country park next to the carpark/visitor's centre, ordered some coffees and hot chocolates for takaway and these were average at best also only one person serving when there was a que starting to form.

Pleasant place to eat. Food and drink is nice and the staff are friendly

Always friendly service and a nice place for a cuppa or a bite to eat

After a long walk nice place for a sit down and a drink.

Let down by the time it takes to get served a simple drink. Only one person serving when other staff are clearly visible behind the scenes. No food being served at that time so wouldn't it make sense for somebody to help out with the coffee queue? Visit regularly and usually involves lengthy queue.

Bacon butties for lunch outside in the sunshine. Nice coffee. Lovely view of the lake and surrounds. Bacon was good and plentiful. Bread was not special otherwise 5 stars. £5 per sandwich

Polecam bardzo jest bardzo sympatycznie w ciekawej sceneri

Lovely setting for a coffee and food

Awful coffee. Over £5 for 2 cups of watered down coffee which had no flavour at all.

Fantastic service and great cake!

So I went with my Three year old grandson. I spent £ 6 on two small scoops of ice cream- fair play. But when i asked for a small cup of tap water for the grandson they refused stating they do not have anything yo put it in-!! That is pure seflish rip off stuff. I had to pay 1.30 for a bottle of water!

Lovely ice cream, very pleasant owner - thank you...

Lovely ice cream and great service

Great food and drink and lovely 😍 staff

Went to have something to eat but they were than closing at 3pm a bit early so we had to go somewhere else

Walking, boating, wildlife, nature …. followed by a coffee and cake or light lunch - what more do you want at this café in Priory Country Park? Service with a smile from the staff at Cloverdale Retreat. Highly recommended!

Lovely place. Good food. Friendly staff. Clean and tidy. I will visit again happily.

Great little oasis of comes comestible charm in Priory Country Park.

Excellent prices and customer service. Plant quality superb.

Nice coffee .but cakes very expensive...£2.50 for a small muffin with abit of butter cream......

Good coffee, lots of cakes. Beautiful white orchids

Lovely place to sit outside and enjoy the surroundings.

Lovely Xmas tea and service was excellent.

Lovely little cafe, reasonable prices too, friendly service and good facilities, sometimes a bit of a wait but it's good to see local business busy so a 👍from me

Good hot coffee, nice selection of food and drinks available. Seating inside and out.

Nice to chill with a coffee and snack....bit pricey though

Lovely park and cafe looked lovely too but seemed quite expensive and choice of ice cream was poor for a park. Was with young children and they didn’t want the scoop, was after their usuals like Twister and Minimilks and I would have liked to get a Magnum. Wife had a scoop and said it was tasteless. Coffee I had was lovely though.

Nice cafe. Nice food. Run by locals. For those on a budget, there’s an American corporate McDonald’s and some plastic cheap food 2 mins away. Enjoy.

Expensive...£3 for 1 scoop of ice cream in a cone. £5 for a bacon bap

Another lovely visit this afternoon with a friend, we visit quite often and love the home made cakes. Today we tried the toffee apple cake... my fave so far. Staff always helpful and friendly. Todays😁

My local. Sustainably sourced tea and cake at the lake. Popular with dog walkers and families

I'm afraid you can't blame Covid for incompetent staff, 15 minutes to make two cups of coffee that were of a disgusting flavour, when I complained, I was told "that's how the machine makes them"

Sub standard food sold at expensive prices as well as bad customer service.

This is a lovely place to grab a coffee or snack while walking round the lake. The staff are always super friendly to my children and the elderflower and lemon cake is amazing. With regards to prices others are complaining about. We paid £13 for a flat with a double shot 2 scoops in a tub, 2 cones and a huge slice of cake. That's reasonable to me, especially since the cake is homemade which is hard to find nowadays. Lovely staff!

Lovely place by the Marina and usually the coffee is good. We had two lovely lattes from here 6/8 weeks ago. Unfortunately today the coffee was awful, have they changed their brand recently I wonder? This applied to both normal and decaffeinated, such a shame.