Secret garden in Monmouthshire

Visited the Secret Garden on Saturday 30/03/24. Ordered brie, bacon & cranberry sandwich and Coronation chicken sandwich. Service was swift. Staff pleasant. Portions generous. Great value for money. Looked & tasted great. Sat outside under cover in the sun. We will be back

Everything was filthy. Tables weren't wiped, floor looked like it needed a damn good clean, cutlery and crockery were grubby. The food was slow, we'd finished our tea before it arrived, the roof out on the terrace leaked, and the staff seemed bored and disinterested. This used to be a gem of a place, but we won't be returning, and would not recommend.

I’ve been coming for many years - last few visits we’ve commented on increasing grubbiness. Today we watched staff as they walked past dirty tables - clearing tables ( eventually) but did not wipe any down. The floor was filthy the tables sticky. They got our order wrong after waiting 30 mins. I watched elderly customers helping to clear tables - even though plenty of staff. Given plenty of chances but won’t return unless they have a big deep clean

Food used to be really good but the place is so filthy - food all over the floor, tables not wiped between customers and bits of half eaten food left on the table. Coffee awful. I love to support local business but will not return unless they clean up. Really off putting as, if the cafe area is so filthy - what goes on in the kitchen! Yuk!

In our capacity as wedding caterers we have the pleasure of working at some lovely venues but the Secret Garden at Duffryn Mawr was a bit special and made all the better by the incredible team who make you feel part of the family. A superb wedding venue, we hope to work with you again! Rob & the Wood Fired Events team x

We arrived just after 12.30pm for a spot of lunch. Most of the specials were “sold out”! We had to ask for a table to be cleared which it immediately was but I was expecting the person to come back and clean the table. I had the Brie bacon and mushroom toastie where I had too remove large amounts of thick fat. My husband had baked potato with tuna served with salad, large wedges of cucumber with no dressing at all. He had my sloppy cole slaw which didn’t appeal to me. I had a cup of tea. The milk jug was dirty inside and out as was the teaspoon. While we were there I watched them clear five tables of dishes. No attempt at all to wipe them down. I have never seen this in a food establishment. There were three or four members of staff, not particularly busy so no excuse for not spraying the tables between customers!! We won’t be going back.

Clean tables but wooden floor on the veranda not swept and had bird muck. Server bringing us a large latte was like a robot and didn’t say “Enjoy” with any emotion or sincerity. Food server in comparison was very and friendly. Mozzarella, pesto, and sun dried tomatoes deluxe toastie was gorgeous. Generous amount of coleslaw on a bed of lettuce. Hubby liked his bacon, brie, and cranberry deluxe toastie. Very good value with generous portions for £6 each. Saw 2 big breakfasts being delivered to another table with very generous portions. Customer toilet was dirty with an overflowing tall paper towel bin that had not been emptied from day before as we were there in the morning.

We are usually pleased with the service at Sally's but today our experience has been less than impressive. The service was very poor, unhelpful waitress, missing cutlery and surly reponses. The cups of coffee were only half full, a small pot of tea with no hot water, one small jug of milk between 4 and in the past the coffee was accompanied by a small biscuit. Not today. On this experience I doubt we will be back. Such a shame that staff can so easily spoil a place.

Popped in and was really suprised a real selection of plants and so much more the food was lovely excellent service

Left over food all over the floor, which looked like it hadn't been washed in a long time. Dirty window shelf that again hadn't been cleaned,tables left dirty and none of the staff wearing masks. The garden centre is OK but would never want to go into the cafe again. It needs to be shut down as it's clearly a health hazard.

Quick and efficient service , lovely surrounding and no frills , decent Saturday morning breakfast. Lovely

Dont go their prices up food standards down gone down hill .wont be back Gordon Ramsay would shut the place down

This cafe has huge potential if they upgraded their food eg: use fresh apple in your apple tart. People would pay more for a better quality of food. The setting is lovely and the staff are nice…

Waited 40 mins for 2 toasted sandwiches. When enquired as to how much longer they would be. It was obvious they didn't know what I had ordered. Luckily I had my receipt and obtained a refund. Will not be visiting again.

My friend and I enjoyed a very pleasant lunch. Very well presented and tasted delicious. Emma who cleared our table was very friendly and created a very welcoming atmosphere. We sat inside but there are some outside tables with a very peaceful view. We had a good look around the garden centre after our meal which made the visit even more worthwhile. Thank you, we will visit again.

This could be the most amazing place but it isn’t. Staff work very hard but food is quite sloppy. Coffee rubbish and not topped up. Chicken poo on decking which my granddaughter stepped in not very nice to see whilst you are eating. During Covid did think this place would have a makeover but no just the same tired looking place. Ordered the coronation chicken ciabatta with salad which was a tiny lettuce leaf with half a tomato what a joke. I wish this place would get taken over as it could be a lovely place to go with family and friends.

I often visit Sally’s with friends but have noticed that the litter on the floor of the cafe, on the grass area in front and to the further fields is getting worse in every visit. The uniqueness of Sally’s is the view but I really don’t want to be looking at dozens of paper napkins and empty cans that seem to have blown over the immediate area and countryside. I won’t be visiting until I hear that a good needed tidy up has taken place!

Husband and I went for coffee and cake. Well organized staff, friendly service and a lovely view. Cake was delicious and it was lovely to sit in the peace and tranquil surroundings and wasn’t too busy. Good value for money.

A couple of weeks ago this was my first, post lockdown, dining out experience and I was slightly nervous. However it went very well and I was impressed with the measures in place for Covid safety and the food quality. Today, with the same friend,...

We struggle to put into words how gorgeous, special and intimate Rosie and Simon made our wedding day at the secret garden on the 22nd October. Their hospitality made us feel completely at home. They decorated the venue to perfection! It was romantic, rustic and completely relaxed. It was filled with warmth and looked perfect in the autumn sunshine. In such trying and confusing times, they made everything feel simple and couldn't have been more accommodating and flexible. With the original date being the 25th July, a few possible days in between, then this Saturday....and then with the impending lockdown, they were happy to change it to the new date at such short notice! They added lovely surprise touches throughout and couldn't have been more thoughtful. Not forgetting how much we loved seeing the horses, and ducks and dogs too! They really made us all smile. The photos encapsulate the magic of their venue perfectly. The trees, garden grounds and views were gorgeous as well as the stunning barn. We can't thank Rosie and Simon enough. Sending all the luck and warm wishes for their future. Love Alex and Dave xx

We have visited this cafe at the garden centre many times pre-covid, and this was our first visit since lockdown. The social distancing measures were in place. We ordered two coffees and some cake. Gluten free Victoria sponge was ok, think it was the last...

Went here with family/friends, lovely food,scrambled egg on toast was very tasty great service, friendly, would recommend 🙂🙂

Even though it is close to our home it was great to get a break from everything. The area is so quiet and its relaxing. The sheppards cottage (hideaway) although compact has everything you need and its charm shines through. Rosie (the owner) is friendly and accommodating. It is well worth a visit.

We stopped off here on my brother's recommendation and were not disappointed. There was a good choice of light lunches including vegetarian options and our lunches were tasty and quite filling

I never write poor reviews but this is poor standards but you pay top rates. It may have been an off day !

We had a bite to eat here with family. Excellent price, with good sized portions. Attached to garden centre, so ideal to stop for a drink or snack.

A beautiful garden centre and gift shop in a great place. Nice cafe and is nicely designed and homely, and outdoor seating which looks out onto felids, which is lovely. We went for Breakfast and there are two vegetarians in the family, including myself and...

It is always a treat to visit Sally’s. the toasted sandwiches are wonderfully falling and the scones overflow with jam and cream.

We pop in from time to time - great garden centre with a popular cafe. It is Cafe food but it is very good overall, so no issues recommending.

My tea was so weak it was tasteless. Sausage sandwiche and fried egg sandwich were both lovely. Sadly service was lacking, they were very quiet but still when we asked for sugar we were told it was over there and then when the food came...

Very disappointing, no kids menu and when asked if they could do a bacon sandwich for my little girl they said they’ve stopped serving breakfast. They then made sandwiches with warm bacon in for two other children so when asked why this was possible they...

Dropped in today for breakfast following our holiday on the Mon & Brec Canal. Food was served pretty quickly and was cooked well. Just a shame that the warm Welsh welcome that we had experienced during the rest of the trip was not there. The...

We have been before with family and had a lovely lunch but this time was shocking. The staff were miserable, not one smile from any of them. We asked if they could do a gluten free toastie and their attitude was horrendous and the main...

The rating would have been higher but we sat between the doors and the cold weather made the table very uncomfortable, we both had the Ploughmans Lunch which was a beautiful meal with at least half a pound of cheese and two large hand cut...

Lovely garden centre and lovely tea rooms. Have always sat outside with our dog and have always enjoyed the food and drinks here which are reasonably priced. Lovely place to sit and relax in the sun and have never found it overly busy and have...

Went in for lunch had a jacket potato with cornbeef hash which was very nice. The pot of tea was very strong. The cafe was very noisy with the noise coming from the kitchen.

We usually visit here because we like the cafe. We take a look around the garden centre for a bit (which in itself is definitely worth a visit) then go and get a drink and something to eat. Always a polite, professional service and clean....

The Afternoon tea usually follows a visit to Secret Garden Garden Centre - so after a very pleasant walk around the centre plus the odd purchase a visit to the tea room is most welcome.

Amazing. I've just come back from a two night stay here for my best friends wedding. What a venue! Absolute perfection, well maintained family run business.... When I say family run I actually felt like I was apart of their family. Rosie and Simon couldn't of done anymore for us.... All of us, every last guest. They went way above beyond their roles to ensure a smooth running of the day. If your a bride that wants that unique edge on her wedding there is no doubt this is the place for you. The senery, the gardens, the stables and of course the love shack are first class. This place ticks all the boxes, the it has additional accommodation to house the VIP guests over night while still giving the bride and groom their precious much needed privacy on their wedding night. This is by far the best wedding venue I have ever been too. Thank you so much for having us. Congratulations to Mr and Mrs Miller🍾

Visited this week, ordered a cappuccino and a scone. The scone was fine but the coffee was so small, it was actually a small cup of froth. Hardly any coffee under the froth. Not good value for money. The crockery looks very tired and over...

Had driven past this place a few times and finally had a chance to pop in today - food was lovely, especially the scones and the veranda is a lovely place to sit and eat and watch the donkeys in the field.

Just dropped in on are way back to Devon. We order two Full English Breakfasts and Two pots of tea which arrived very quickly. The Breakfast were very nice and good value. The staff I found very friendly and helpful, very nice sat in a...

Lovely spot to wander through the garden centre and sit outside if the weather is good. Food is average, but the staff are surly verging on rude and not suited to a customer service role. Veranda is lovely to sit on but has seen better...

As per previous reviews, staff bellowing table numbers and are probably some of the rudest and surly catering staff I have ever encountered. Dirty cutlery, crockery and tables. When they were asked to change them they don't even acknowledge you, just snatch it out of...

Visited the garden centre and decided to stay for a cup of tea and cake. As it was a rainy day had to sit inside. Previously been able to sit on the veranda which was very pleasant. Not so keen on the inside waitress shouting...

We have been here to eat before and always had good service and food . We ordered a scone and some coffees. We sat outside on the deck area which is very nice. A girl delivered orders in quite a stressful manner by appearing every...

Visited for a coffee while at the garden centre. Place was really busy. Ordered two coffees told to take a seat. Waited 10mins. Staff seemed rushed off their feet with no system going on. Waitresses bellowing table numbers out and wandering around with food and...

Sally's Tea Rooms are at The Secret Garden Garden Centre and we always enjoy our visit here. You can combine a trip around the lovely garden centre with chickens strutting around with a visit to the tea rooms. They also do meals and the cheese...

Called into the tea room during a visit to the garden centre. It was very busy inside, there were tables available outside but as it was a cold day we waited until a table became available indoors. We sat, a waitress cleared BUT DID NOT...

Disappointed.ive been going for nearly nine years and have brought friends and family here as well and recommended you're tearooms.firstly,my mum sent back cutlery that wasn't clean.then when I had finished my food was pulled to one side to be told by a member of...

The tea rooms are situated within the Garden Centre. Stopped in for a quick light breakfast, the cheese toasties were filled with a generous portion of a tasty cheese the BLT had a very good portion of bacon, but could have had more tomato.

Stopped for a quick snack, had a jam and cheese toastie and it was delicious. Thick ham oozing cheese on your choice of bread. We sat out on the balcony watching the donkeys in the field. Beautiful view and reasonable prices.

What a Lovely place for a wedding

We called in for a quick lunch here yesterday. I had the cheese and potato pie with beans. It was ok, warming and tasted of cheese. A bit on the wet side tho'. The cake was quite dry. Staff seemed under pressure. Serviettes wrapped around...

The Secret Garden is first and foremost a Garden Centre and an excellent one at that. There is always a good choice of plants and helpful advice when required. I would like to see more reviews for the Secret Garden garden centre rather than Sally's...

Lovely place for coffee. Their food is always very good especially the homemade soup. Staff are very friendly. After coffee, its nice to be able to look round the garden centre & get ideas. Plants are always very good quality. Well worth a visit

Popped in for lunch, lovely food, poor service though! Situated in a nice little garden centre, with lovely views.

Floor looked like it hadn't been cleaned in days. Nobody cleaned the tables after clearing plates. General poor hygiene standards were off putting whilst eating. Mugs that coffee came in were so stained it was hard to tell if clean or not. Overall unimpressed.

Everything appears to be, and tastes, homemade. The food does taste very good. I had Brie, Apple and Walnut salad which was nice and plentiful, others had toasties which looked equally as good. Expect to pay around £11/head for a main course, dessert and tea.

We’ve been here several times. The last time a few years back was a disaster but we were passing so decided to try it again. The floors were dirty, covered in left over food bits and knapkins, almost all of the tables had dirty crockery...

Rosie and Simon did the bar for our wedding and did a superb job - couldn't recommend highly enough! They were really responsive and flexible to our requirements and provided an excellent service on the day - staff were all fab. The bar was one thing I definitely didn't need to worry about!

Everything freshly prepared, staff so friendly. You can sit inside or outside if you are lucky enough to get a table as its so popular

made a visit as my other half had tried it previously. had a look around the garden area first and then went for food. as we are both veggie she ordered a jacket potato with cheese and i ordered a cheese toastie. came out quite...

Sally's Tea Rooms are situated on the site of "The Secret Garden " garden centre. It is very close to home and I am a regular visitor to both. Today I decided to have a freshly cooked breakfast.As there was a bit of a chill...

Looked for this place last year but couldn't find it ! Some friends who live locally took us today, we had sandwiches which were very nice, the scones looked great too, but we were to full up to try, maybe next time. Definatly worth a...

Well im glad i popped in again as my first experience wasnt the best .This time food was lovely staff were polite will be going again .

A superb venue for weddings, run by a lovely couple.

The garden centre itself is gorgeous, i could spend hours looking at all the plants, pots, flowers and fairy gardens. Theres chickens roaming around, sheep and donkeys near by and amazing views from the back of the tea rooms. We called in for some shrubs...

The place is starting to show it’s age but we still enjoyed our ‘brunch’ here. I had the Brie, BACON AND mushroom toasted sandwich and it was delicious. A good range of sweets and cakes made a memorable catch-up with friends. Very nice indeed but...

Good food, good music and genuine love put into every dish. I love the cooked breakfast personally, but everything is worth a go.

My partner and i visit this garden centre and cafe on a regular basis. Therefore we must be happy with the service. Today another diner recommended the lasagne and we decided we would both try it. I ordered black current tart with ice cream and...

We have been to this Garden Centre many times, It is quite delightful. This time we thought we would have a snack lunch. We had a jacket potato each, one with cheese and one with beans and a pot of tea for two. The jackets...

Stopped by Sally's tea rooms in the Secret Garden. We had enjoyed browsing the attractive displays of plants at the garden centre and wanted some lunch. It was busy and the staff struggled to both get the orders out and clean the tables. The food...

Called in for lunch based on Trip Advisor reviews. Managed to get a table on the veranda on a sunny March day with a nice view across the fields. No one came to clear the pots way from the previous occupants so eventually I moved...

Visited Sally's Tea Rooms on Sarurday March 10th for lunchtime snack. After eating the main course, I ordered cherry pie with custard at a cost of £3. My order requested the pie to be served hot with custard also hot. The young waitress brought my...

Great to have a cuppa and some delicious home made cake when shopping. We have had a working breakfast here and team meetings. You can sit outside and watch the sheep and donkeys in the field or the birds that come in looking for crumbs.

All the food that we tried here has been exceptional on each occasion very fresh and could never complain

This is a very popular place. This serves great breakfasts but also superb for lunch or a snack. Be careful as it is very popular and very busy. Great views from the seats by the window.

Very disappointed with tea with santa .where to start here we go started with going into the cafe to hand in the tickets then to be told that all children can not sit at the table which ment a pile of kids running about the...

Fab little restaurant tucked away behind the small garden centre. Ideal to have lunch or coffee/tea and cake while browsing for plants and garden accessories. In summer or winter you can also sit in the conservatory where you can enjoy the green green countryside while...

We have been coming here for years and always enjoyed lunch or afternoon tea but agree, as others have mentioned previously, the tables aren’t cleared or cleaned. We often have to remove dirty dishes to sit at a table. Our last visit was the worst...

We visit the Secret Garden frequently (great Garden Centre) and always go to Sally's Tea Rooms. The food is prepared there and then - paninis, toasties, salads, sandwiches and baquettes to start, then the scrummiest desserts - delicious pies (apple, cherry and blackcurrant), creamy roulades,...

Lovely little cafe in the garden centre. Clean and nice countryside views from the decking. Little bit pricey in my opinion but still a nice place for a light lunch

Situated in the Secret Garden, the food is mainly sandwiches and jacket potatoes with a few hot meals on the menu. I had the jacket potato served with a side salad which was very nice. The prices are average. Had to ask the staff to...

Wonderful peaceful tea room to relax on the covered patio area enjoying a cup of tea/coffee and one of the good selection of cakes all served at your table by attentive staff. Lovely views and the owners encourage wild birds with feeding stations to the...

Recently visited early morning just as they'd opened. Friendly attentive staff with quick service. Amazing views on a nice day. My only complaint is the toilets. The gents toilet was dirty and clearly hadn't been cleaned. This is very poor considering they'd just opened. The...

After an early morning hospital appointment my husband and I thought we'd treat ourselves to a cooked breakfast i really wish we hadn't bothered. Coffee was awful no taste and breakfast was a disappointment the egg was hard the black pudding was cut that thin...

I used to love coming here. The windows over look Little Mill village and you can see the train line. The coffee is a little on the strong side. The BLTs are now more salad than bacon. And what used to be the highlight of...

This garden centre is very pretty and has so much to look at! The cafe is lovely - with a lovely food choice! I will agree however, staff aren't the happiest. I got served for my items and the lady who served me didn't even...

I have given 5 stars for the manager and his secret garden , he trys extremely hard to run this place also the cafe named after his mum, however this message is to his cafe staff! PLEASE shape up wake up or ship out, have...

Have visited Sally's Tea rooms many times and went yesterday to cheer myself up. Wish I hadn't bothered. Much as I enjoyed my pot of tea and scone the staff were so miserable and off hand that I felt worse when I left! I appreciate...

I'm sure this place is great but we found it impossible to find, the map on here took us down a tiny lane to a bridge with nothing around.

The most beautiful settings with balcony overlooking afield with daffodils, donkeys and rabbits and birds .dogs are welcome on the balcony but not in the cafe proper. It used to be lovely to see the sleeping cat until someone complained and it had yo be...

Stopped for lunch today. Reasonably priced food served by lovely staff. We left well satisfied and enjoyed a look around the plants

When ever we visit The Secret Garden, we start off the visit to this garden centre with a visit to Sally's Tea Rooms, possible for a snack, breakfast or even lunch. Normally we sit out on the large wooden deck with views of the countryside,...

Great clean food and decent coffee.Setting is lovely,ans conservatory designed to capitalise on views.Prices competetive.When relatives visit they insist on a trip here.Attached to great garden centre.Busy on summer days.

Regular visitors to Sally's tea room since it opened. Always a great place to enjoy a well made cappuccino and beautifully baked (home-made) cakes. The cream scones are wonderful!!! Superb views over the pontypool valley and an added bonus is a friendly cat who comes...

I've been here a dozen times or more. Excellent spot for lunch.Its inside the garden centre. It has an outside seating area overlooking the countryside. It has covers to shield you from the wind on cold days. I recommend the pate to start.Lots of nice...

Gorgeous food & the owners are nice people too ! Shame the kitchen staff are are not happy , lazy on cleaning the tables etc & a miserable & theyre dragging the ratings down. WAKE UP STAFF deh.

All the food is very tasty fair play..cake is really delicious ! Kitchen staff take note ! A smile wouldn't go amiss..youve got a great boss/owner ..do him proud, Crack a smile now & again ! Keep up the great food & keep on top...