Dobbies Garden Centre Chesterfield in Bolsover

Everything you need under one Roof Excellent.

Goodness, where to begin? I'm going to review the cafe as the rest of the garden centre appeared to be in reasonable order and par for the course. The Cafe however was a complete shambles. No singnage. No menu's. A complete lack of organisation. Elderly and disabled people left waiting and forced to stand in the food queue, a drinks queue and then a payment queue. Food underwheming and over priced. I had to wipe my own table. Well meaning staff running about like headless chickens without any direction or purpose.Who coordinates this absolute farce? This could be a really nice place to eat with the right management in place

Cherry scone and tea. Really fresh and tasty. The cafe was very busy

Good garden centre lots of choice and prices are not too expensive. Tried a Meat and potato pie from the butchers and was absolutely brilliant, will definitely have one again.

Great garden centre, loads to look at.

Reasonable size garden centre with good range of products, and ancillary stores.

Came on Monday and surprised how poor the cafe was compared to last time we visited, portions very small food not the best, yes it was busy but that doesn’t alter the fact about the quality, looking around at tables and lots to be cleared away, we came a few months ago and the food was lovely good portions which is why we travelled here today only to be disappointed ☹️

Quite a lot of empty shelves. Some nice looking plants.

Food only average. I had lasagne - not a lot of taste. Service was slow, consequently, the food wasn't particularly warm by the time we'd queued up 3 times!

Been to Dobbies this morning for some top soil & picked up some tomato plants went for coffee, haven't been for a long time, took our dog with us, sat in marked area for dogs, we were one of the first there. The tables were stained with coffee rings there was a tray with left over food etc on it & as they hadn't started serving yet I presume it was from last night very disappointing first thing in a morning. Cream cleaner would sort the tables out .

Cool as ever love this place nice coffee shop and food shop with best pies around Garden centre. It's always well stocked and friendly staff on hand to help

Very pleasant staff serving tea and prompt service. A very nice environment making for an uplifting experience.

Café is excellent just expensive

It was OK but getting less like a garden centre with every visit ,no bonsai equipment

We enjoy coming to Dobbie’s and having a look around. There’s a lot to look at and it’s enjoyable to walk around. However this is definitely a ‘high end’ garden centre. Everything is very overpriced and you can buy the same things elsewhere for a fraction of the price. The food and coffee is lovely, again, overpriced but high quality. They do need more staff in the food and drink section, as once you’ve got your food, you have to wait in line for 10+ minutes to get your drink, by which point your food is cold. Overall, enjoyable to visit, but a little out of our budget.

What is happening to Dobbies cafe it's really dirty the seats and carpet are disgusting tables needed clearing at 3.30 pm nearly all the food cleared away and staff not very interested it really needs a makeover!!

Cafe service dreadful. Tables dirty and the wait in queue took ages. Very short staffed. Prices of plants at least double that of garden centres elsewhere.

I requested vegetables with the mac and cheese instead of garlic bread and salad. I got this, but the portion of veg was very small. Special mention to Tom who was clearing the tables..Good customer service, he was very helpful.

It was not what I thought it would be. Ok, if you want lots of plants. If you have a cat and are looking for toys, then don't bother. There is much more for dogs. The cafe was great though and the staff was very helpful.

Some products expensive. Good range of products for home and garden. Can get offers if have Dobbies card. Annual charge for Dobbies Plus card. Plenty of free car parking. Other shops onsite. Dobbies Food court which includes Sainsbury's and Meadowfresh butchers. Restaurant in side garden centre which can get busy and not enough staff to cope with orders. Tables cleaned between use. Indoor and outdoor seating areas. Cutlery could be cleaner and in one rack unwrapped. More staff on recent visit. Some cutlery still not clean. Food prices gone up again. Taps changed in garden centre to touch taps. Used to be no touch taps . Prices still increasing. Food court now mainly Waitrose.Gets very busy at weekends and queue to get coffees etc. Could do with more staff at busy times. Some cakes quite pricey. Prices increased again. Like choice of oat milk. Good cheese scones but fruit ones were very soft texture and would have liked them being baked more . Long queues to pay and hot breakfast meals going cold due to this so would be better going back to staff bringing them out fresh by giving you an order number.Return visit in March 2024. Cheese scones were not as crispy texture as usual and less cheese. Staff helpful especially Mark.

Just been for coffee at cafe it was so dirty The table cleared but not cleaned we had to ask staff to clean table. The floor honestly looked like it had not been swept or cleaned for a week. So dirty crumbs, stained all over. It was the dog area but expected better from Donnie’s. The cafe had not been opened long so it should have been clean from previous day Will not visit again

Great Garden Centre and a dog friendly cafe

Went to the cafe just wanted a snack decided on a chip butty as there wasn't anything else which looked tempting it was only 1.50pm everything looked closed down,well I wished we hadn't bothered the chips we're terrible not fresh at all and cold and blimey £10.60 for two my poor husband was in shock,sorry but we used to love coming to your garden centre but no more, just terrible.

Cafe was disappointing. Getting hot food was fine but waiting nearly 10 minutes for a hot drink is ridiculous. Hot food wasn't hot any more.

Avoid, absolutely disgusting treatment by the staff in the Waitrose outlet, Miriam, if I remember it's name correctly, is appalling, a truly foul member of staff, zero stars if possible but the minimum is one on these reviews, I hope this helps

Just had a lovely visit to Dobbies And had my lunch there I struggle with walking and I am deaf one of your staff TOM went out of his way to help me not only carrying my meal getting my drink but made sure I was settled into your lovely outside area my lunch was delicious thank you for a very pleasant visit

Not so well stocked as usual due to season transition. Indoor plants looked in perfect condition, and what I needed was reasonably priced. Took an age to get served in the cafe even though they weren't that busy. Don't understand why two members of staff would stand chatting to each other at their work station when they could see a queue had built up at another.

We had coffee and cake but didn't buy anything else today...

Need to sort café staff out. One person serving/making coffees and snacks. Even having to fetch his own cups from tables. No saucers (haven't had time to wash any) tables full of empty used pots. Nowhere near enough staff.. typical case of minimum possible staff and maximum profit.

I must pay compliment to Mark in the Cafe, when I visited today. His customer service skills were excellent. He was polite, helpful, efficient and professional. He also helped me with joining the dobbies club (I hope he gets recompense from this), he certainly deserves it. Thankyou again Mark, I hope to see you on our next visit. Jackie Danby, daughter of Gordon Bassett (who I brought with me) for coffee and cream scones. 10/10

Large indoor shop, selling all kinds of garden items, pet food and toys, garden furniture, some kitchen items, and outdoor clothing etc as well as having a cafe. Dogs are allowed in the shop.

Lovely trip out. Very knowledgeable colleagues

Never been anywhere slower at serving hot drinks, your food is always cols by the time you get your coffee. 2 people making the coffee would speed thins up alot and this is when it's not even busy

Had a delicious soup and a sandwich. Soup was thick and very tasty, had carrot and coriander.mmmm.

Had a coffee and cake, very nice. We both had a pair of shoes from Hotters and I did a small shop in Waitrose . Altogether a productive afternoon.

Lovely garden centre with a few other shops around, food can be a bit slow if you go when it's busy but that's my only criticism

Decided to have breakfast, not a success by the time we got our drinks the food was lukewarm. I would not eat there again lukewarm food is not acceptable.

Garden centre was reasonably priced and had a good stock of items. The cafe although the food was good, it is expensively priced and it was quite disorganised there was a long queue which wasn't necessary if you weren't requiring hot food. The menus are extremely small and by the time you had got round to pay and sit down your food/drink was cold. Also the cutlery trays were empty and a lot of tables were dirty. It needs re organising and cleaning more regularly.

To pass some time, had a wander around pavers, cotton traders and the garden center. Didn't buy anything on this occasion some lovely sale items on show.

Nice shopping, butchers as some lovely meat and Pies, dobbies as a nice café.

Meals and drinks not very organised, separate queue for mains ,snacks ,drinks and payment. By the time you have paid your dinner is Cold!

All good. It’s large and like a little shopping mall. Lots of free parking.

Nice place but service in cafe just to get two coffees very slow, girls chatting to each other and didn't seem to notice the queue getting bigger, having said that coffee was lovely, the floor in the seating area untidy but apparently kids had just had breakfast with Santa, so understandable, so all in all was ok.

Went for breakfast with Santa.the kids really enjoyed it.the food was lovely and the staff were really helpful.there were lots of games for the kids to play a great morning.

Thanks to Christian, Ash and Mark for a memorable Christmas lunch today. You are all a credit to Debbie's.

Had a xmas.lunch today..very disappointed. No y.pudding..either mash or roast not both allowed? Pork tasted like it was cooked in water no flavour.

My mum and I went here today for afternoon tea as a treat from my mum to me for my birthday. We were very impressed with the amount of food and cakes which were also lovely. We brought home the scones as it was that filling. The waiter was very charming and attentive also.

Afternoon tea lovely turkey sandwich and Christmas variety of scone and buns excellent service by Mark

Found the food hall very expensive and noticed no one had a basket full only a few bits. It's a shame.

Good selection, a little pricey but you get what you pay for. The store next door sells the best butchers pies too so that is well worth checking out. Plenty of parking available.

10/12/23 Got there early but still queues at coffee machine we waited at the other one and the young lady (restocking) saw us waiting didn't say anything until the chap behind us asked her if she was serving she said no she was restocking but she could've told us that!! Waited at the other machine but a lovely young man came and served quickly, the ladies were doing their best but the queue was long then a gent at the till in front of me had probs with his card payment so there were complaints from further back, she was doing her best, they seem to have so much equipment but don't utilise it when there are queues?? On our way out both tills were in operation and both coffee stations! Thoroughly enjoyed our coffee and scone as always excellent 👌

Went with a friend to Dobbies at Chesterfield today and we decided to have the Christmas lunch. Stood at the counter for ages waiting to be served, obviously not enough staff. But to be honest, whenever I’ve been here they are incredibly slow. Chose our Christmas food but apparently we couldn’t have roast potatoes AND mash. When I asked the lad serving why not, he said it’s a management decision. Well I’d like to say to the management what a bunch of scrooges you are, especially considering how much it cost. Mean or what!

We like Dobbies restaurants but sorry todays visit did not match up to previous visits we had the fish and chips but think they had been sat for some time as they where Luke warm wont have them again.

Poor service bad atmosphere very expensive 😢 😕

Why the hell do you not answer your phones its beyond a joke surely your phones should be manned !!

Went Saturday for the Christmas Experience... there was none!!! We got out of the car the first think we noticed (10.30 am) was the litter and dog poo bins we had to pass to get into the complex were all overflowing onto the floor. Surely it's common sense to empty these first thing!!! Dreadful. We wandered through a few shops before calling for a coffee in the middle. No trays. No plates, just a lot of people looking for anything to use for their cakes. When asked the one of only two staff said if they had time to wash them then they would be provided as they rushed around trying to serve the long queue. Loads of custom was lost with people giving up including us. Went then into the big shop where there was loads of chocolate and plants but very little else. It used to be brilliant for Christmas decorations but lots of the shelves were empty and again no staff to help. I am afraid that is the last time we will be going to Dobbies!!!

I really do enjoy visiting Dobbies as the variety of goods is amazing. The Christmas items were out on display this time which was lovely, particularly as I had my teenage grandchildren with me who also enjoyed it. The only criticism I have is, that the restaurant does not cater for a vegan diet which in this age is not acceptable. Sadly I had to manage with a cobbled together chips and beans which was overpriced for tge size of the meal. Apart from this, we had a great time there.

Just had an amazing afternoon tea with hubby and mum, Ash, our server was cheerful and went through everything to ensure we were well catered for. Sandwiches, scones and cakes were so tasty and fresh and we even had a container to bring some home as we couldn't eat it all. Endless tea and coffee too. Will definitely be coming again and would recommend to everyone. Ash is a credit to Dobbies x

Papers were very helpful in Dobbies today

Had breakfast here today - totally underwhelming, way overpriced and stone cold by the time we had queued ……. And queued for hot drinks. Will not return.

Cold food.slow service, no paper towels in the loo

Nice place but slightly on the expensive side though, for some things, you can get cheaper and the same quality elsewhere😬 Cafe has lovely food and lovely staff. Bonus to Dobbies is you can take in your furbabies. (pic of food from cafe)

Great place to go to xx brilliant staff and lovely food and drinks xx great array of shops too xxx also dog friendly xxx

Average food queue too large to pay so food goes cold drinks and food seperate so have to re queue for hot drinks

Brought our granddaughter to the soft play area and i must say was very disappointed. The tables were full of dirty plates and food. . Food on the floor where the children are walking in their socks.. Flies crawling on the windows. All in all a very messy area for children.

The garden centre is its usual self but the Cafe, restaurant hasn't improved since Teresa's review 3 months ago. 3 coffees, one cold had to be returned, food without warning took 45 mins to arrive, it too was cold, and wrong in some aspects, a baguette is not a panini. Overall useless, got full refund and ate elsewhere. 10/11/23 Service still very slow, but at least the drinks were hot, tea for 3 was generous.

Had coffee and toasted teacake yesterday really enjoyed lovely place to visit excellent Christmas displays however I visited today and had breakfast which wasn't good very sulky person serving an took 30 mins to toast bread and serve luke warm breakfast with solid egg very disappointing have always enjoyed everything we had at dobbies popped in dobbies to day and had my 2 coffee s which I get free every month with my dobbies card it's really good also money off plants 🪴 and invites to special events really lovely staff today delicious cheese scone really enjoyed my visit more than made up for my last visit revisited dobbies creature of habit that I am to have my monthly free coffee they had a good but naughty offer on today two fresh cream scones for £3 49 very nice only trouble was the queues inexperienced staff wasn't good on a busy afternoon hey ho my coffee cup wasn't clean which unfortunately led to a bigger queue must mention quite a few bargains to be had in dobbies today in their sales always a good choice of plants 🪴 large garden centre department I feel sure I saw something related to Halloween 🎃 already popped in again today nice to see the dobbies precinct cafe open looking very much like Christmas 🎄 today

Who doesn't love Debbie's? ESPECIALLY as Christmas approaches and the store is filled with Christmassy delights?

Always lovely just a little dear but then it’s good quality

Clean well stocked a good place to visit with several other shops

Good cafe/restaurant and reasonable prices. Plants appear to be decent quality

Today was our first visit to Dobbies and it was a good experience. The restaurant had nice food options, we opted for coffee and cake which was very good. We didn't look at the plants but the range of household items and gifts was really good. Definitely worth going back next time we are in the area.

A big thank you to Ryan who help me with lawnmowers today even put it in the car for me top service

Went to Dobbies today, had something to eat, we wanted Sausage, Egg and Chips we were told you can't have Egg with Sausage and Chips 🤔 so we had Sausage and Chips. £ 11.79....yes £11.79...

Being a dobbies member I received a birthday card enabling myself and my husband to have a coffee n scone each on dobbies . What a wonderful treat , thank you so much .. the scones are delicious 😋

WARNING TO EVERYONE . RECENT VISIT MY CAR NUMBER PLATE AND TOWBAR COVER WAS STOLEN . ONLY IN FOR A COFFEE 15 MINS . OBVIOUSLY REPORTED TO POLICE THIS THEFT . NO WARNINGS SIGNS NO CCTV S . NOTHING ON TABLES WARNING . JUST AN OUT OFF DATE PR MESSAGE WHEN LEAVING THE CARPARK . MANAGERMENT NOT INTRESETED AT SLL DOBBIES MANAGERMENT HAVENT HAD THE DECENCY TO RESPOND OR REPLACE MY STOLEN PARTS . THOUGHT THEY OWED A DUTY OFF CARE !!!!!!the idea of thiis is to warn all car park users . As a waste off time talking to staff or manager or even customer care team services as no one would ever no unless this happens to them HENCE THIS BAD REVIEW! EVEN THE POLICE ARE DISAPPOINTED NO CCTV INSTALLED !!!!!! Its a pity elderly vehicle owners and vehicles parked are so venerable and as the police said so close to M1 to get away .

Love coming here for a browse or a catch up over a coffee, lovely place defiantly could spend hours here

Lovely food at the cafe and a dog friendly area too. Join the club and get 2 free hot drinks a month

Only go to get aquarium supplies,and fish from Maidenhead aquatics,wife likes Dobbies shop though seems a little overpriced, plenty of parking

Nice collection of products. Sadly I need to sell my house and garden to shop here. Cafe does brilliant coffee and cakes though and only cost me the wife ...

Good cafe lots of different types of items to buy both inside and outside of the house

First time going. Quality place. Not cheap but you can get cheap anywhere.

Good garden centre. Sizeable, clean, nice restaurant area (as always at garden centres). Prices seemed reasonable.

Called for coffee whilst grandkids go in play area. Good compromise for a half hour

Looks like a nice place! Might go to it again one day. 😉👍 However i have been before but that was waaaaaaaaaaay back in 2007. 😅 Came back! For a lovely christmassy walk around the place today....21/12/21 . 😉👍 Lovely place! 😃

We visited Santa's grotto and had a really good time, everyone was really helpful and nice, even Santa! Well worth the drive up the m1.

It contains the garden centre but also has other shops such as Create and Craft, Holland & Barrett, a small sainsbury's and Inside that is where they make Dobbies pies...best pies ever.

Never going there again till lady so rude been going there years but no more she bring my dad to tears

Got what I needed, an was fairly quiet

Called in today to have coffee I was alarmed to see how filthy the area above Coffee/cake area was my photograph does not show the full extent of dirt/cobwebs .perhaps someone in management should have a good look at the overhead coffee areas

Cafe dirty, food all over the floor, staff standing around, tables overflowing, waited 30 mins coffee, one lad serving WHERE IS THE MANAGER!!!!: own.

A very nice garden centre. Majority is inside besides the plants and pots so nice for a visit on a rainy day.

Went to see santa bit expensive but worth every penny

The breakfast was good but we had to wait nearly a hour for it has they had lost ticket

Only trying to ring the place and been in the 0hone ringing for 3 hours and no one answers. Dread to see what it's like when you go to the place

A good selection of plants and a good selection of Christmas decorations and lighting. They have a good cafeteria.

Expensive and can get very busy but it has a lot of choice and the cafe is excellent, some of the staff could do with a customer service training refresh and a smile also goes a long way.

Lovely Christmas displays and fantastic choice if goods, however a bit pricey for my budget

Lots of different outlets to enjoy

Ample car parking spaces available. Visited Dobbies which is smaller in size now, lots of independent shops are within the complex, great garden centre with cut christmas trees, plants, playarea slide, fish store. The store has customer toilets.