Elm Tree Farm Garden Nursery & Tea Room in Sunderland

Always helpful..plants in great codition

Delicious sandwich and cheese scones.Staff lovely. Really nice healthy plants too

Lovely toasties, great choice of plants

Quicj neet up for a coffee. Meals to large for us. But small garden centrecwith bargins

Just been here today for the first time in a long while. Sat in the extension which is little more than an aluminium warehouse. It's not even finished off properly with one bare aluminium wall & one thats bare hardboard. The place was fairly full & the noise was horrendous - echoing around this bare warehouse. My friend & I couldn't conduct a normal conversation without shouting at each other across the table. Not an enjoyable experience & we wont be returning.

I was looking for a plant to use in a little girls fairy garden that was small enough but looked like a tree helpful young lad helped me immensely showed me options and gave me advice how to stunt it's growth by planting it in its pot into the soil fantastic young lad I knew if get the best advice here bought my plants gor my garden here for a few years now always goid quad lity and we'll looked after.

Always went here as we like it, food was great, plenty of space inside and out. Lately though there has been that many dogs inside it becoming somewhere I don't want to be anymore. I don't mind animals and understand people like taking their pets with them, however I think it would be a good idea if you could have a pet friendly section area as not everyone is a fan of animals around when eating. We now go else where.

Nice choice of cakes (lush carrot cake and fruit slice in particular), and generously sized cups of coffee. They do homecooked meals as well but we haven't tried those yet, seem to be popular though! One word of advice, get there well before closing time (4pm) - any time after half three they'll be mopping the floor around you, and you're unlikely to get served by 3.45.

Very nice garden centre. Lots of plants to choose from. Reasonable prices. Staff are very friendly.

This place has gone to the dogs (pun intended). We visited on a Saturday and waited ages at the counter to be served. While waiting I counted at least 8 dogs in the place at the same time and two of them, an alsation and a doberman, were on the next table having arrived whilst i was in the queue. This made us feel extremely uncomfortable particularly with our 5 year old grandchild with us. Since extending the place the level of service has deteriorated and regularly they quickly run out of popular dishes from an already limited menu. It saddens me to write such a review, but this is no longer the pleasant experience it once was.

Lovely food reasonably priced lots of choice. We had a cheese and onion panini hot beef dip and chips a cheese scone and a fruit scone and 2 pots of tea all for £23

Always friendly professional staff and great prices and fab tea room

Second time visiting. They say they are dog friendly but one of the members of staff clearly does not like dogs. Lady with black hair. Our dogs were very well behaved. My teacup breed was curled up on a wooden chair away from the table and the lady without manners told me the dog must be on the floor. She was ontop of my coat also so not touching the chair. Has put me off visiting again.

This place is being spoilt by the number of dogs in it - there's at least 8 dogs here! Since the extension service is poor and they run out if popular dishes quite quickly.

Great location with a solid selection of food. Mostly homemade dishes with a good selection of teas and coffees. Prices are solid and garden centre was reasonably priced

Really nice coffee shop, didnt go to garden centre. Lattes lovely and hot, pleasant staff and plenty parking.

My wife and I have been visiting this tea room for years usually on our bikes each Monday and we have always enjoyed the experience. Lovely coffee, pleasant staff and the best scones in the area. By the way the cakes are also good but we prefer the scones.

Nice family business, tea room is fantastic

Great little garden centre staff always helpful . There is also a cafe situated inside which is very nice and quite reasonably priced

Had some beautiful plants at a fair price , staff friendly

Really friendly, knowledgeable staff. Lovely Sunday dinner and our dogs were welcome everywhere.

Victoria sponge cake was delicious. Enjoyed the coffee too. The staff were friendly and helpful. The extension of the coffee shop adds to the atmosphere.

Sad, but over the last 12-15 months the standard of service and food ( both quality and portions ) have dropped while prices have increased dramatically. The staff are hardly welcoming either now , po faced and " What would you like ? " without a smile between them £8.50 for a square of bland cheese and onion pie and chips? The pie is wrapped in cling film in a fridge then microwaved so no crisp crust, just bland mush. Chips obviously re heated and so hard I left half of them. Always a shame when a good cafe drops it's standards to an unacceptable level. Much better options , both quality and price wise, nearby so that's our last visit to Elm Tree

Nice friendly staff plenty of room and reasonable price.

Restaurant is very pricey and dont expect a quick visit, food takes ages to arrive

Has its ups n downs, depending on how busy it is. Portion size now small compared to what it was.its OK for wealthy elderly ladies having a catch up with friends or family.

Been to the garden centre on numerous occasions. Tried the tea room for the first time last week. Had a terrible experience. The woman who served us was miserable and made us feel like everything was a problem. We have allergies so it is important that we know what food is suitable. We won't be returning

Had lunch here today. My husband had pie and chips,he said it was very tasty. I had jacket potato with tuna,it too was tasty. We also had two coffees. The thing we like about this tea room,is that it's dog friendly place. Staff also.polite.

Got what I wanted so I was pleased

Nice food and new extended eating area

Friendly cafe , breakfast and sandwiches really nice , friendly staff

Fabulous food home cooked well worth the money lovely staff definitely worth a visit 👍⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Great place for breakfast and dog friendly

Tea room venue was good overall and service satisfactory. However, on this visit having finished my pot of tea, I was told there would be a charge for topping up the teapot with hot water (same tea bag reused, no more milk requested). In my 65 years of visiting tearooms around the country and indeed the world, I have never once been charged for such a service. Caveat emptor.

Cafe has now been extended although menu is not massive everything on it is top quality. It has the best breakfast in Washington although again not huge it is very good quality. Have been using g it for years and has always been co sisterly good

We had a lovely breakfast here today perfectly cooked and the staff.were really polite. The cafe is being extended but there is no disruption. We will definitely be back👍

Today we visited once again this tea room. Despite being busy, the food and two teas we ordered were delivered promptly by courteous staff. It was all very satisfactory until I asked for a top up of hot water (NOT for new tea bag or extra milk) for the 2-2.5 cup sized teapots. I was told that would be an extra 75p each. I have been drinking tea for the better part of six decades now at hundreds of tea rooms and cafes around the world. NOT ONCE (nor indeed in previous visits here) have I ever been asked for such a charge. Not even at National Trust properties! The amount asked is insignificant and almost irrelevant but the principle is everything. There was no public notice to this effect nor any mention of such a charge on the menu. Shall find more accommodating hostelries in future.

My husband and I went to elm tree to pick some plants for.Our garden. First we had a coffee. The staff in the tea room were very polite and cheerful. Coffee price was very good. We then had a look around the nursery,a gain staff very helpful and polite.

We visit here every Saturday. The food is amazing. The staff are all delightful and so helpful. The menu is fabulous and everything served piping hot. Highly recommended

First visit to restaurant today and tried the Big Breakfast. Service was ok with meal being served within 15 mins. Good price for breakfast items included but the sausage, and black pudding was dried out. The bacon -oh dear - I could have re-soled my shoes with it. Disappointed. with food but the coffee was quite decent.

Good selection of plants. Nice coffee and cheese scones at good prices. First visit and will return.

Definitely five stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Nice friendly staff, lovely food. Feel at ease in the current climate.

Went for lunch. Really tasty quiche and salad, hubby had panini all enjoyed. Always served with smile.

Good choice of plants at good prices

Lovely breakfast. Nice hot coffee. A Christmas wreath as well. Lovely staff.

Purchased a mini Christmas tree from here. Great selection of trees, great service

Lovely afternoon tea great staff good price would recommend and we'll definitely be going back

Beautiful food. All freshly made. Had a perfect Christmas afternoon tea.

My daughter took me Jeremiah the other Friday. We found a seat my daughter went to order, we had 2 beef and onion hot sandwiches and a bowl of chips. Everything was hot and lovely. I we will be back. Only thing don't sit near fire door.

called in today lovely breakfast red hot and tasty .reasonably priced and staff were very friendly .we were so comfy we ordered More hot drinks

had a lovely breakfast here today .staff friendly food red hot and very tasty got quite busy no wonder .very nice atmosphere as well reasonably priced . .

Get our tree here every year, staff are always helpful and friendly.

Scrumptious cakes and teacakes, and the tea was delicious. Very reasonably priced and the plates are awesome. Can't wait for our next visit.

Lovely atmosphere and staff, food was really nice. It was quite busy but still managed to get a table. Will definitely be going back.

Nice food and drink. Friendly staff.

Cafe has Amazing food services great

We have visited this place a couple of times. The food is excellent. Clean and tables are well spaced out. Staff sanitised tables for each sitting. My only criticism was the lady that served our food wasn't very friendly she just placed the plates on the table and walked away. There was 3 of us. This will not stop me returning. Excellent prices.

This is my favourite tea room, best bacon sandwich anywhere .

Everything you would ever need for the garden and an excellent cafeteria.

First time I visited today. Absolutely amazing experience. Knowledgeable and experienced staff. Friendly and welcoming. Great prices and selection of plants. Very dog friendly. Wonderful food in the cafe... I mean awesome. I will be returning and I will be a regular customer.

1st visit Really lovely plants and café

Very knowledgeable and helpful staff, top quality plants, and the best food in their restaurant.

Great for all your garden bits and great restaurant

An excellent lunch, served by very well trained and experienced staff, a friendly welcome in lovely surroundings. 5 stars from us

Nice breakfast, outdoor seating

Visited with my mother and my 2 children for early lunch. Glad we got there when we did as it got busy quick. It's quite a little hidden gem

Lovely breakfast , friendly and not expensive

Had lunch at Elmtree today and was very impressed with:- the staff (could not do enough for you) the food (good quality and value for money) Cafe (bright, clean and pleasant decor) I have no hesitation in recomending it for a meeting place for friends

Asked for 2 black filter coffees and they came to table only 3 quarters full, so asked for extra hot water which came in a tiny jug with blue floaters in it and fried egg sandwich was runny when I had asked for hard yokes and the teacake was burned. Staff don't listen and everything is rushed, would not go back.

An impressive amount of different variety plants and trees, at very good prices. The cafe serves very nice food.

lovely fresh looking plants good value reasonably priced have recommended

Very good and friendly family atmosphere

Complicated system. Just for a coffee.

Well mannered people and very good food

Brilliant, food lovely. Staff very accomodating. We will be visiting again.

Great little garden centre with very knowledgeable staff. 👍

Large price tags on dead, dry, neglected plants, whole site looks n feels neglected, only 2 staff on site. In the middle of a heatwave, you'd think a garden centre would look after their plants.....particularly if you want to sell anything....

Good selection of plants reasonably priced and helpful knowledgeable staff.

Beautiful plants, helpful & friendly staff and excellent food. Highly recommend!

A great place to go for any of your garden needs. Great food too.

Fantastic Amazing food friendly staff

Food is fantastic,service is always great never waited to long to for our order and very relaxing environment.i would seriously recommend this lovely little place.

Lovely little tea shop with nice home baked goodies

Visited 12th June with my sister having opted for a breakfast. Paid via Googlepay which came up with the usual tick to show payment had gone through successfully. There were 2 young girls serving and one quipped it hasn't gone through quite sharply. To which I showed her my google pay and my banking app to prove it had. She insisted it hadn't so I paid with my card. Whilst she was trying to do this and serve an older lady. Neither of us were given any politeness nor dedication. I merely thought right just pay on by card - from the same account my google pay is linked all good and thought I often visit so I'll give it a week and see if it is indeed refunded! No it wasn't. So visited today 19th June boy what a MISTAKE. Went to the till and ordered and the same 2 girls were on duty. I mentioned being charged twice previously and they both remembered and although apologised the actions that followed were completely unexpected. You would think yes, I'll give her VIP service. No yet again they could not tare themselves from whatever they were doing to simply deal with it nor make a simple decision. At first I though they were doing ok when she took the order and said take a seat at table 1 and I will send the manager over. So myself and my husband sat down and had our cuppas. Thinking the breakfast food was on it's way we sat, we sat and we sat. Nothing. Both our beverages had either gone cold or been drank. My husband and I went over to ask where the food was. She said you haven't paid!!!! You've gota be kidding! We said you had told us to take a seat and a manager would be over to resolve the refund from last week! I then said I tell you what just organise my refund from last week. Again neither of them could tare themselves from what they were doing to even attempt this. So I said I tell you what forget it you've just lost a loyal customer. Stuff the refund and stuff your offerings. If you can't deal with simple courteous customer service or even attempt to put a wrong right you ain't got my custom anymore. I always believe that people make mistakes - we're all human - but how you deal with it shows your worth. I will never ever set foot in that place ever again. We then went to the Cross Keys and had wonderful breakfast there which incidentally came to less than the double charged offerings we got the previous week. Tip - if you hire front of house staff - check they have common sense first. All it took was take a seat it's on the house. 7 WORDS! That's all. Courtesy costs nothing. If you make a wrong put it right and that begins by making the customer feel valued. The money side of it was irrelevant but their treatment and how they made no attempt to put it right really is what let the place down. Useless! The previous staff were always brilliant which is a real shame. So keep my double payment but I won't ever be back.

Friendly staff, lovely coffee and cake selection. Sat outside which was nice.

Love it here. The cakes in the coffee shop are outstanding. Fantastic array of plants a little more expensive than usual but worth it for the atmosphere.

Long slow queue to get served, wishy-washy coffee and bland cake. The only positive was being able to sit outside.

Superb cake and coffee, with the most helpful and friendly staff I've encountered in a long while. Well done Elm Tree 👌🏻👍🏻

Great breakfast as well as getting my plants

Visited on Sunday and I don't know what has happened to the staff in the cafe but having waited ages to be served they got the order wrong were very rude and abrupt. No customer care and staff didn't seem to know what they were doing. Visited many times but won't be returning.

Visited here fort the first time as I had just had my second Covid Jab nearby and needed breakfast! Great service, tasty food all safety measures in place. We'll be back!

Went for plants but coudnt resist the tea room. Excellent for social distancing. Would recommend the fruit scone with jam and cream The plants were beautiful and well kept, I was spoilt for choice

Great display of plants at great prices

Good stock of plants and friendly staff.

Gorgeous plants, lovely shop, but the tea room was very very expensive, for 2 lattes and 2 cheese savoury buns, it came to just under £19.. Won't have lunch there ever again !!

One of my favourite garden centres and tea rooms. Great to sit safely outdoors while enjoying the views and being served by the friendly team.

This is a lovely friendly garden centre and tea room, the food is first class and everyone is friendly, beautiful selection of plants, pots and water features, well worth a visit, it's my first choice for everything

Very good well laid out, nothing i cud nt find

Large variety of plants for sale and cheaper than the big named garden centres