Meadow Croft in Chelmsford

Great place for Christmas decorations and lots of fun activities for all the family. Also had coffee and a cake in the restaurant. Would highly recommend a visit, but it is so good it's extremely busy but not overcrowded.

Great selection reasonably priced, friendly staff

Very busy but lots of tables. 5 of us in our party and with lots of waiting staff, it was a quick service. Ordered 2 x fish and chips. The batter was so hard you couldn't cut it and the fish was overcooked. We sent it back. I ordered ham egg and chips for £16.50. It was not worth the money. A few chips 1 slice of processed ham and 2 eggs. Not good. Even with the 2 meals taken off it came to £90 for the 3 remaining meals and coffees. Quite expensive gor a garden centre. The staff were very good someone from the kitchen came out and apologised and took the price of the meals off. I feel it was too busy for the cooking staff which is a shame because we won't be going back

Excellent, a nursery well worth the time

1st time visiting here, very impressed really nice garden centre, will definitely go back again.

Christmas German market fabulous.

Great place to eat, friendly staff and good food

Staff in restaurant very helpful and d polite. Food not so good I ordered a vegan breakfast and it came was served with bacon. Staff very apologetic. Prices are exorbitant I was charged £3 for 1 slice of toast. Tomatoes were not cooked just put on the plate cold. I feel £14 for a breakfast and had to pay for £3 for ONE slice of toast was robbery. I thought duck turpin died a long time ago. But I can't fault service from the staff.

This is a very nice garden centre with a lovely restaurant. Staff are very helpful.

We like garden centres for coffee and cake. First visit for a couple of years to Meadow Croft. Very impressed with the cafe/restaurant. It's table service with polite staff. Garden centre good as well.

Nice place and reasonably priced.

Speaking as maybe a bad person who only visits Meadowcroft Garden Centre once a year ( PS a garden centre is a garden centre and all very similar and there are similar establishments much closer to my home town) but we travel some distance to Meadowcroft once a year for the sole reason of enjoying the German Christmas Market .I have visited the German Christmas Market for many years and on this occasion in November I brought a neighbour friend whom I had previously told it was fantastic experience and we all look forward to a ' day out'. Previously walking into the German market was previously a fantastic experience with a wonderful colourful entrance and immediately immersed into a German market which was as good as anywhere. Sadly upon arrival this week we were extremely disappointed, the usual entrance which used to be adorned with fantastic flowers and a fantastic ambience of German Market ( as Monty Don on gardeners world say ' breath in look at the flowers and enjoy the moment ) now there is nothing upon arrival to greet the visitors. The entrance takes you into a greenhouse full of garden equipment and machinery, various bits and pieces manky winter pansies and cyclamines and stale bulbs which nobody is interested in, myself included in November. The German market is now relegated to the rear of the garden centre in a very cold and unfriendly location. The moment when you used to , in previous years, walk in and think how wonderful and enjoy the sights and stalls of the traditional German market has now passed . I used to like and sit down and a 11.00 am cup Coffee in the German market stall .Now the coffee stand is located outside in the garden facing all the winter elements rain included far away from the comfort of the German Christmas Market. I enjoy my 11.00 am cup of coffee but don't particularly wish to stand up outside in the cold at a market stall or queue for 90 minutes in the garden centre cafe (the queue for the indoor café went right around the outdoor centre ) I think probably most of the German Craft stalls are the same every year but this year there was simply no atmosphere and I did not not purchase anything not just in the German Market but in the garden centre as a whole and I left the whole place feeling underwhelmed and disappointed Very disappointed particularly as I had invited a friend who had not been there before and probably this time next year will not return .

Been to this German Christmas Market many times over the last few years and loved every second of it. This year though we left feeling truly underwhelmed and disappointed. The market has been moved to a different part of the garden center and is a lot smaller, in addition to this the majority of products being sold were not Christmas and/or german. Here's hoping for better next year.

It was ok, we had to wait an age for a seat in the restaurant, but Food was very good. German market was ok but better last year

Unbelievable place. German xmas market. Everything for gardening and xmas.

Extremely busy, we just got in the overflow carpark! Only a small queue for lunch and in within 10 minutes of waiting. Lunch quality very good as usual. The German market was usual standard, nothing different. Christmas stock in the garden centre is very good.

Fantastic quality plants that are produced locally. Really friendly staff who can offer advice. Lovely restaurant with a great choice of food & drinks. The gift shop area has something for everyone.

We had heard good things from family and friends about the food here, and we were not disappointed. There is a great range of options on the menu and the food was delicious. All of the staff were friendly and welcoming, especially our waitress Nikki who couldn’t have been more helpful and did everything she could to make sure our visit was perfect, thank you. We will definitely be returning.

We came for the Xmas market etc which was nice quite subtle and all that but nice! The food and drink was 10/10 so good. Love this places. Prices very reasonable minus the teddies! Second visit for food and drink today and was not great. Bringing score down to three as an average

The Christmas market this year really is special.

Could not go in as they would not allow our lovely dog to go in

Very loud, lots of kids, although it was half term. Prices very much more than competitors, not reasonable, e.g £4 for cappacino in average cup! No table booking, hence long queues waiting in the cold However, Ava was very good, efficient, and we got everything we ordered. But will not come so often now as prices cheaper elsewhere and not so busy. Management take note!!

Very busy in the car park and in the restaurant.

We went for Sunday lunch with my mum who has Dementia. She is very impatient due to her illness but we had the most understanding lady serving us. Even though it was extremely busy she took time to listen and understand my mums needs, which really helped the rest of us enjoy our lunch. Thank you so much Sheldon.

What a great afternoon tea we had today. It was the first day of the festive afternoon tea and it was delicious. So fresh and well presented. Amazing choice of fillings and great delicious cakes and scones. Lovely staff too, so helpful. Would definitely recommend.

Too busy, too loud, slow service. The queue was huge to wait for a table and you can’t book. The food was ok but not as good or hot as expected due to the volume of diners. It’s a lovely place but it’s become a victim of its own success. The staff are no longer as attentive, instead catering for the masses. Today I witnessed a waitress stress warnings about peanuts being in the kitchen to a mother of a child with allergies. The restaurant has no peanuts on the menu yet the mother was told by the waitress that peanuts are all over the kitchen!!! Repeatedly she was told there are peanuts everywhere!! Warning for allergy sufferers. They do not seem to take care with major allergens!

Excellent garden centre ror all you need plus lovely food meals

The garden centre and gift shop is great. But the cafe/restaurant closes at 3:15pm!!! I don't understand why it closes so early, the perfect time for an afternoon tea and cake is between 3:30 and 4pm.

Fantastic garden centre ,German Christmas Market was great ,but expensive ,the rest of the gift department very good ,good selection of Christmas decorations . Great restaurant. Would recommend a visit

Great garden centre! Excellent Christmas decorations and wonderful cafe.

We went today 26/10/24 Went through the front doors look like a garden centre just plants and flowers no Christmas decorations Hardly anything there this year was a little bit disappointed ☹️

Food was nice, German Xmas was lovely, little expensive but unique pieces

Very nice garden centre, very clean and restaurant had a wide variety of food to choose cooked fresh ,staff very nice

This is a lovely garden centre recommend any one to go there they have a restaurant

Lovely place. Friendly staff. Good quality plants. Excellent restaurant and amazing shop. The Christmas market is wonderful too.

Excellent shop plenty of parking spaces no queues easy viewing good quality goods friendly helpful staff and at present the German Market is avaliable worth a visit

Atmosphere busy , service to cafe tables a bit slow , but food is good and garden centre an additional extra to peruse. Very popular but needs to be more organised to be pleasurable during busy periods.

Went for the German Christmas Market, will go back in November when the whole place is decked out in a Christmas extravaganza.

I like the layout of this place, not too large but a great selection of plants and home wear. The parking is easy and fully accessible. Staff are very helpful and knowledgeable. The German Christmas Market take it to a whole different level, but at any time of year it's a great garden center. Now with an outstanding restaurant.

We only visit Meadow Croft for the Christmas Market. We always enjoy our visits.

We had a lovely lunch at the Meadow Croft Kitchen on Friday. Ava was very attentive and really looked after me, as I have dietary requirements. Thanks Ava and the manager who also made sure everything was alright :)

The German Christmas market was smaller than I expected, but the items on sale were what you would expect to find if you were to go to Germany. A better layout this year, but staying true to the German ethos.

Beautiful garden centre, German market is delightful and we finished it off with a delicious lunch in the restaurant that has a lovely ambiance. Will definitely be Back!

Great place to go especially now they have the German xmas market

Good garden centre with good displays for non plants and Christmas ideas.

Great garden centre with a great restaurant and German Christmas market

Great market from Germany and christmas displays all you need !

Some beautiful and very usual bits but quite expensive. The food was also a bit too fussy for my tastes

Great Place to go ,fod in the cafe 5 stars

This year's German Christmas Market is not as good as last year, no atmosphere, stalls, food etc to far spread apart, and like most places an increase in prices, the staff however are very helpful and friendly.

Rating 1: Wow! Bought a lovely delphinium for a reasonable price because the nursery where they grow them from seed is just opposite. Locally grown flowers- how super. Massive range of plants with enthusiastic people to help. Cafe is waitress service with bright, happy, smiling and engaged young people serving. Fabulous 👌 Rating 2: German market is a nice idea (even though it's only October ...) The serving team in the restaurant continue to be happy, helpful, smiling and efficient 💗 Bought winter flowering pansies today- beautiful array of colours 💐

German market packed with gifts and the German sausage is great.

The Christmas market is back, plenty to choose and you got to have a German hot dog and beer

I was very disappointed this year with the German market. I came all the way up from Cornwall to bring a friend after I told them all about it only to find it's completely lost its charisma and charm. It's just another Christmas market at a garden centre. The whole atmosphere of being indoors/outdoors as you walk in is gone. It's lost its magic this year. I'm sorry I came all the way. What a shame the way it was set up had to change

After visiting the last several years, this was the worst. Changed entrance with no blackout ceiling which made it feel more of a Christmas market at night. Same products every year. Nothing new that we saw. We was in there a total of 20 minutes. Took longer to get there. This will be our last visit for sure. If it's your first time, you may enjoy it.

Great cafe, the app freebies are pretty good, great Christmas market if a little pricey.

They have a German Xmas Market set up and it is fab. Went in for nothi g. Came out with a lot. And I'll be going back. Heartily recommend.

Visited during the week to look around the German Market, seems very expensive. Had lunch in the new cafe. Lovely food and very busy.

Went there for the Christmas market as I have been for the last few years. This year the entrance was through the garden centre, which in my opinion took away the ambience. The German Market was okay, but extremely overpriced. Having said that, once I got through that and into the Christmas dept within Meadowcroft, their display was lovely and very reasonably priced. I even bought a few Christmas decorations 😀

First time and not my last time here. Had a wonderful breakfast and white hot chocolate, scone was nice but could do with warming up a bit hard. Staff are friendly and polite, nice environment. The garden centre itself is big and has everything you need and well priced.

Very good selection of plants, always presented well, plus a very good restaurant. October 22 German Christmas market plus all the decorations on display. Great place for the family to visit, they even have a curling area for some extra fun. This time 18/11/23 the German Christmas was again in full swing, new today was the new restaurant, we had brunch, the atmosphere was nice good fòod as always plus decorations and plenty of garden plants. 16/03/24 Decided to have lunch and have a look around plenty of violas and all the other kind of plants for this time of year. It time to get ready for spring ans summer. 25/05/24 Garden centre is full of lovely plants, spoilt for choice. Plus the restaurant servi g delicious food. 28th July 24 just bought some compost and a few bits collected my free 13cm plant. The whole areas have been rearrange looks like the old restaurant is getting ready to open look forward to events to come. 2024 October. Christmas market open, we had dinner in the lovley restaurant then strolled around the German Christmas market. This year the market is bigger and better withe all the Christmas decorations and more plus lots of autumn 🪴. Lots going on building up to Christmas we will be going back nearer the time to get some decorations.

Visited today with my teething 15month old. Spent some time in the Christmas markets, and the German Market food court. Staff members: June, Jack and Jemma were absolutely faultless. They treated me with an unbelievable amount of kindness, and helped my little boy to settle down. They made the entire trip worth while, and were incredible In everyday! Like I said, the kindness shown was overwhelming, and I feel incredibly touched.

Had a lovely visit to it's restaurant today. We popped in to visit the german market , and ended up having a little refreshment break when we got there . The new restaurant was clean and accessible for all very well staffed . The coffee my daughter had she said was one of the best she'd had and the apple tart I had was lovely , filled with fruit and simply delicious. The staff were nice and friendly , so all round we will definitely be back.

Superb garden centre with wide selection of products christmas market wonderful but a bit pricey. Full marks for wonderful new restaurant. food, service both 1st class. Will be visiting again soon. Love the voucher scheme and offers.

We visited because we heard about the Christmas market opening, we spent over 3 hours there. Nice garden centre, good range of products, the Christmas German market is well done. We enjoyed ourselves and had a go at the mini golf which was lots of fun. Nice place for a family morning or afternoon visit.

German Christmas market. Was OK considering its the end of September. Beer, Bratwurst, Curling, and plants, Winning combination.

Visited today. Lots of lovely things to choose. Well worth going

Excellent especially now the German market is open

* Christmas hot food stall location change. Where has the Christmas gone? Its all spread out, food is good but no Christmas atmosphere and a bit disorganised, needs some Christmas lights, feels completely separate from the market, probably won't go again if it stays like this

Been regular visitors to the cafe for several years, and since the new cafe building has been opened the welcome and friendliness of the staff has been outstanding until recently that is! In the past four to six weeks the whole atmosphere seems to have changed! It has somehow lost it special touch and has just become very ordinary and definitely less smiles.

Very helpful friendly staff. Absolutely love Meadow Croft Garden Nursery, great variety.

Food and service were excellent, can highly recommend

Waited 15 minutes to order…..Waited 25 minutes for some drinks as they had run out of mugs…waited 45 minutes for food…. On arrival the maple syrup was balancing on the plate and my 4 year old accidentally knocked it over, the waitress said she would get us another pot of syrup but we would have to pay for it first…

Mostly expensive shop rather than garden centre. Be aware dogs aren't allowed which I've never heard of in a garden centre.

Great breakfast and lunch, great friendly service.

The amazing waitress asked about dietary standards- I'm gluten free, she told me that despite me choosing a gluten free option that she would inform the kitchen regardless. Food service was fast but I knew my meal wasn't sitting on a hot plate for 20 minutes. It was fresh. Lovely atmosphere. Very efficient staff and overall a fantastic experience.

Sorry to have to say this but I brought my family (7 of us) this morning for breakfast and extremely dissapointed. Husband and I both had cooked breakfast . Both of us had very hard dry overcooked bacon and sausage. Mushroom seemed microwaved so also very dry . My egg was completely hard . Only good thing was baked beans and toast and tomatoes. Very very poor . Awkward to complain when you take people out for a meal but I would say that if I were the chef/ cook I would never send food out like that .

Great service from Carole on returning our dead tree purchase 2 months earlier, the 3 year guarantee is worth it They are currently getting the store ready for The German Market

What a lovely garden centre and restaurant. Dad and I popped in and ended up staying ages. Had lovely lunch service and food was great and then we had a mooch about was helped by a superb, polite and friendly member of staff who made us feel very welcome, thank you Kelly M will definitely be returning. Thank you from both me and my dad

Great place to visit,lovely restaurant.

I was taken here for a birthday brunch by my friends, none of us had been before we were a bit late for the breakfast as we all wanted a full English but the brunch choice was very good. I had Welsh rarebit they had smoked salmon and scrambled egg and a ham, egg and chips with a bottle of wine service was good except when delivering the meal the waitress knocked my glass of wine over no problem we mopped it up and she went and got me a new glass of wine and was very apologetic the restaurant is very good quite large with plenty of seating we would go again.

Just say I visited this lovely garden centre today and had the most wonderful lunch ,also I would definitely recommend this place for lunch as the service was fantastic and the staff also very pleasant aswell.so if your passing drop in it's really worth it.

Love ur new food kitchen. My husband and I have been several times for bfast. It’s always fresh and lovely. Two weeks ago I brought my three grandchildren They loved it and was impressed with the building and loved their food. We had a couple of games of golf which they loved. And a good look round. It’s always looks so pretty. I don’t drive so I took them on the bus from Wickford which they loved it as they are always In a car. we had a lvly time there the staff are alway so nice it’s reallly one of my favourite places to visit can’t wait for the German market. See u soon Chris collin

I came here on the recommendation of my mum, who absolutely loves it here. So I decided to treat her to lunch, and it was absolutely amazing! All the food was fresh to order, generous portions and well worth it. The staff were lovely and friendly, coming around asking if all was well, and it was!! The cake selection was amazing - definitely make room for cake!! Overall 10/10 - definitely will come again!

Restaurant - I had the best Fish and chips I’ve had in years. Plants are well kept and reasonably priced and the main shop has just about everything you could want including gifts, toys, food, clothing, accessories and cards. Great even on a rainy day.

I came for lunch with family today, not my first visit but the food was delicious once again, special thanks to our server Ava who was lovely.

Great cafe and nice selection of plants. Good selection of birthday and anniversary cards too. Reasonable prices.

Me and my young son came here to meet my parents for a coffee, the staff were very polite and accommodating to our slightly off menu order! They also have a little play area that my son enjoyed whilst he was in full 'explore mode'! Very happy to return soon as we're very local!

Great lunch, friendly service. No complaints!

A very pleasant experience, helpful staff. Liked the new restaurant

I preferred the old Meadow croft cafe. They have expanded and now it is just too big. The menu doesn't change and I feel the food is not as nice as it was. You used to be able to order an omelette l,which you can't do now. You get lots of salad(lettuce) which I've never been keen on and the coleslaw used to be delicious. It wasn't today. The prices are quite high too. Two for lunch- sandwiches and coffees came to nearly £45. Bit excessive for lunch.

A well stocked and pleasant garden centre. The new restaurant is very pleasant.

Great selection of plants and lovely staff

Lovely place, fantastic Christmas market when it's up

I came to here with my friend for the second time after a great visit. We were served by the exceptional Sheldon again who was still her cheerful smiley self and recommended the specials from there specials chefs Lucia. Sheldon advised us to try the specials so that’s what we ordered as they was a beetroot risotto for me and my friend had the quinoa salad. Both me and my friend found the presentation to be amazing as usual and the food to have so much flavour and colour it really certainly was special! Lucia clearly knows how to cook a brilliant meal and Sheldon couldn’t speak high enough of not only her but also her whole team and kitchen staff. Still as amazing as last time and will return again in hope for the rissoto or the paella that Lucia will be doing in the future as Sheldon mentioned

No Dogs Allowed in a garden center?!!! They loosing customers and am definitely never going in there. All other garden centre allowed dogs even in a cafe

A regular visit. Seasonal changes taking effect with areas being repurposed for the inevitable Christmas displays. Came away with just a few plants & some bits from the shop. Staff are always helpful & their plant knowledge is second to none.

Fantastic garden centre. Lots of nice plants, clearly laid out. They're in the process of expanding the area open to customers. Prices appear reasonable and the app they have had good offers each month to encourage you in. Food in the cafe is very nice and it gets busy in there. There's also a fun mini golf and that hut also sells milkshakes and snacks too. At the end by the tills there's interesting cards and other gifts - not cheap but decent quality items.

Absolutely stunning, honestly no words. Food looks and tastes amazing, CAKES !!!! if I could have one of each I WOULD. Truly a place to go back to over and over...and over again 👍

One of my fave garden centers! Love that there is such a variety of things from house hold, plants and garden to gifts and food! Even the restaurant is lovely and a little crazy golf too! Love many a trip here!