Skelton Garden Centre in York

Popped in as I honestly was desperate for the toilet. I noticed they had a cafe so was very happy to purchase something or even grab a cute little gift on my way out. I was immediately bellowed at across the room by a scary looking woman who said ‘we don’t have public toilets, that is what you’re looking for isn’t it?’ I said that I was but I was happy to purchase something too (I totally understand business owners view on this however it is a ladies time of the month, I was desperate and I verbalised that I was willing to purchase something too). She told me that I was a liar and I wouldn’t buy anything and clearly wasn’t going to tell me where the toilet was so I used the disabled quickly (no one else was around). I said that it was disgusting to deny another person the human right to use the bathroom. SHE TOLD ME THAT I WAS DISGUSTING!!! Wow. I used the bathroom and calmly came out saying that I had full intentions of buying something and as I’m from a small historic town myself, I’m more than happy to support local businesses. She proceeded to aggressively tell Me that I wasn’t going to buy anything so feeling intimidated I left. To which she followed me to the door, then started taking photos of our car through the window. AVOID AT ALL COSTS! VILE

A good mix of gifts, indoor and outdoor plants. Lovely cards. The Cafe has artists work on the walls. Plenty of room to enjoy food and a drink. Very nice knowledgeable staff, happy to advise on gardening and plants. Large car park.

This is my local garden centre and I really love it here. I always go for food drink..and after get plants, flowers, and Halloween and Christmas decorations. I am there a few times a month. The staff are lovely both in the garden centre and the cafe. I would recommend this place and have done to my friends and family.. what annoys me is that people use it as a toilet stop which I think is totally out of order. If you don't buy anything from the cafe or garden centre, don't use the toilet end off .it's not a toilet stop for people who don't want to purchase anything at all. The the staff have helped me with advice on plants and my garden. I will still come here in years to come. Thankyou.

Excellent garden centre selling Sedum plants which we had looked all over for. Thank you

Excellent cafe and plenty of plants 🪴 to choose from in the garden centre well worth a visit 😀

Brilliant garden centre. All the plants were healthy. We got some excellent advice on the plant we were buying for a friend of ours. The cafe was great, food was hot and delicious.

Basic but decent garden centre. We only popped in for lunch.

Great selection of plants, but prices are slightly higher compared to other garden shops in the area.

First visit and a mixed bag. The plants were in good condition and well looked after, so that was good . It's a small place with a limited range of things for sale, but that's to be expected. The small cafe could be so much better - for one thing, they need a proper coffee machine. I went with a friend and we both had coffee - quite bitter so wouldn't have it again. Limited range of cakes and food generally. Very clean but all a bit basic. Had to hunt out the toilet (which is situated near the main entrance but not signposted!) Not sure if I'll be back.

Very rude and unfriendly owners. No wonder it’s always pretty much empty. Lots of lovely garden centers in York. Give this one a miss!

Called in the caffe for lunch,cappuccino machine was broken so had filtered coffee the was Luke warm, bacon& egg sandwich was ok, one lady serving,then went into the garden centre an elderly man was sitting @ the desk with a young couple who had a very young baby crying, I asked the elderly man for some advice he wasn’t interested, walked round the shop got some plants then asked a lady who works there or own’s it, she was quite abrupt& negative on what I asked her,her attitude was disgusting, it was my first visit to the garden centre& will be my last.

The bad reviews made me laugh! They are indeed the rudest couple who own the place. Unfriendly and arrogant and not at all helpful. There are lots more great places to buy plants in York. Give this one a miss!

Lovely staff who couldn’t be more helpful and a fabulous range of outdoor plants! Defintely worth a stop.

We have just called at this garden centre with the intention of buying a few plants for our garden.Whilst looking my partner wanted the toilet so we approached a woman who we presume was the owner. We asked if there was a toilet? She asked if we were in the cafe? I replied no we are looking around! She rudely said it's not for public??? I said well we are looking around...then she just waved her hand in disgust and said its over there! This probably answered our question as to why it was empty or was it because we were 2 men????? Either way we will spend our money elsewhere!

fantastic selection of well kept plants, have also bought many artificial flowers that are very realistic. pots & gifts. Well worth a visit.

If I could give 0 stars I would. The older woman is the rudest person I have ever known resulting in me not actually making a purchase and I will never return or recommend which is a shame because the garden centre has some lovely plants. I should of read reviews before I came because it seems this person has been a miserable old bat for years therefore I won't take it too personal.

We are from the local area, but haven't visited rhe garden centre before. We went with our little girl for some lunch, as we sat eating, the owners dog was off lead, unsupervised and came to our table in the cafe 5plus times. Sat begging for food, went under the table etc. I love dogs, but this was incredibly unprofessional and the dog was going round lickling and eating food from the floor under the tables! My daughter who is 4, who does love dogs, even became incredibly anxious and afraid because the dog kept trying to get her food while she ate. I couldn't believe it. Eventually when she started to cry, the lady in cafe saw and told the other staff to keep an eye out. The dog still came back several times and the last time she came and shoowed it away from my daughter. We enjoyed our food apart from this and the staff in the cafe were pleasent. We were then looking at the plants and my daughter needed a wee, the cafe lady said it was at the front of the shop. We went to the front but there was no signs on the door. My daughter was desperate, so i caught the ladys attention near the till and said 'is this the toilets?' She looked at me ever so rudely, shook her head to agree and continued...like how dare we go to the toilet, so unfriendly and unwelcoming. I heard her being very off with a customer after also. I was going to buy 2 plants out the back and a hanging basket, i ended up standing at hanging baskets ages as i wanted one, but i couldn't bring myself to give them our money after being so so so incredibly rude! We will never go back, we know ALOT of people in york and will be spreading the word of our experience and warning people off. So mnay lovely businesses in york and no need to go where someone is so horrible. Plants etc were overpriced aswell. Clearly looking at past reviews just now, the owners don't give two hoots about customer service!!!!!!

Could be a lovely garden centre but staff are unfriendly and make you feel like an idiot!

Good selection of plants. Nice prices, but the cafe let the side down a long wait for food and then our coffee 😔. We will go back but maybe not for brunch and what is it with the brioche bun with bacon and or egg?

Lovely garden center, plenty to choose from, parking at the door

Great garden centre, lovely cafe

Lovely garden centre and cafe. The shop was well stocked

Excellent quality plants and a cafe too. Lovely food

Lovley clean place with lots of plants to chose from

Food lovely home cooked. Cooked freshly.

Lovely garden centre with very reasonable prices!

We have just visited what we thought was a very beautiful garden centre until we were met by very unfriendly staff who made us feel and know that we are different and not from the UK. I was made to feel like I knew nothing about gardening and I felt I was being watched and monitored as Iade my way around the nursery looking for plants to improve my garden for this time of the year! A garden centre should be a place you can feel free to roam and look at all the plants to get inspiration not a place to be treated with prejudice!

Friendly helpful staff, worth a visit when passing by

As a nervous plant grower, every time I've been to Skelton Garden Centre with questions about plants, I have received so much help and advice! Whether it's been growing a fiddle leaf fig, a rose, buying pots or compost, I have felt able to ask as many questions as I need and have had really detailed advice in response. I also really appreciate how they saved me some money by advising me on the best compost to get. I feel more confident as a result and know where to go if I have any issues! Thanks very much!

Great to wander around a garden centre that produces some of their own plants and sells at reasonable prices. Good luck to you, I'll be back again when I'm in York.👍

What a lovely helpful garden centre . Offering friendly advice about plants and shrubs . Family run business with a lovely friendly dog around. The man who helped me today was patient and kind and even carried mu purchases to my car . This is my favourite garden centre and would return anytime .

Great quality plants and home cooking.

Bought some really nice UK-grown roses here. They were well looked after and reasonably priced. Helpful advice too.

Lovely food, relaxed atmosphere.

Very friendly knowledgeable staff

A nice garden centre with reasonably priced plants. We asked for advice on keeping the plants healthy, which was useful as we bought suitable compost. We were surprised at being patronised at being told to read the label on one of the plants and this would put us off going back again.

Has everything you need for your gardening needs

Surprised at the excellent quality and prices of the plants and how many varieties there were. Very good coffee and scones fresh from the oven.

Had a snack in the cafe, side salad was a bit disappointing due to size. Other than that food was good. Good range of flowers and plants with something to fit every budget.

Nice little garden centre. Looked to have a popular cafe but I didn't go in. The garden centre is well stocked with plants and useful garden needs. I would call again.

Coffee and cakes are lovely Very home made cakes Plants good selection and reasonable prices

We go here to start our car runs and for breakfast. Staff great and cafe lovely. 20 of us turned up today and the service was great. Thank you.

Lovely friendly garden centre, helpful staff , great selection of plants & more @ Great Prices,,

Some menu items are pricey compared to others in the local area. Cafe stuck in a corner. Sandwich filling not as much as similar establishments. Quality good. Staff member friendly

Good value on the plants but the coffee shop is expensive.

Great selection and friendly staff.

Amanda was very friendly giving advice on how to care for the boxus that we had bought and we also wanted some advice on other plants that we had in our garden.

We bought a stunning hydrangea plant last year at a brilliant price. It is already making a strong comeback this year and is noticeably healthier than other hydrangea plants we have bought. Today we bought a blossom tree, again incredible value and it is looking beautiful in our garden. We will be back next week for the other one we liked.

I love a garden centre but I won’t be returning to this one. We thought it would be a nice stop off for refreshments and a look round as I was looking for some new garden pots. On arrival we looked to use the toilet first, not unusual after being on the road, but was shocked when before entering, a staff member challenged us as to whether we would be using the cafe. Then the young lady serving us in the cafe was efficient but no smiles or interaction of any kind. The whole experience left us feeling uncomfortable and disappointed and there was no way I was going to purchase any pots now! Having read other reviews I see this is a recurring issue. I think you should accept that if you provide customer toilets, then people should feel able to use them without being made to feel humiliated. Move the toilets closer to the cafe and put a sign up saying for cafe users only, if it’s such an issue for you. You are losing out on custom by this unfriendly behaviour. As an aside, we were in a camper van which has a toilet on board so we had not gone in just to use your facilities.

Bit surprised to read some of these reviews (although they are quite old ). This is my favourite garden centre in York. Not too big, nice range of plants too, and with owners clearly invested in their business and customers. The plants are good quality and well priced (IMO) and there are lots of nice garden-related gift ideas. I havent tried the cafe Im afraid but the produce looks nice and it seems well used.

Nice selection of plants at a good price

Smashing cafe. Lots and lots of plants to choose from.. Helpful staff.

A nice well-stocked garden centre with a pleasant little café.

Excellent place to visit and shop and eat

Lovely little garden centre, great selection of indoor pots and plants. Very reasonably priced, friendly staff.

Popped in on the way to York, had a very nice parsnip soup with bread and a nice almond tart, worth a visit

Great cafe, freshly made food, and dog friendly.

Second time I've walked in and out of the place with no interaction from the staff whatsoever.. A simple hello or goodbye or thanks for coming, would actually make potential customers feel slightly more valued than staff saying or doing nothing at all...

Fantastic service - really welcoming, great coffee and an interesting display of Christmas gifts

I’ve got to say I was quite shocked to read some of the older reviews posted about Skelton garden centre; these are certainly not the experiences I have become accustomed to! After undergoing quite a large garden project I have become most reliant on Tim and Amanda for their great knowledge and advice, clearly very passionate about delivering a great family friendly service! 5star!!

Called in here for a late lunch on our way home from the York Bird of Prey Centre. Only just made it in time as they stopped serving food at 1400, we arrived at 1355! We apologised to the staff and asked if they could rustle us up some hot food which they did with no qualms, very grateful! The cafe itself is located to the rear of the garden centre, the entrance to which is off a large car park. It was quite quiet owing to the late afternoon I’d guess but the centre itself looked well stocked. The cafe was a decent space with plenty of seating, the menu had the usual garden centre options on it, was also good for gluten free. I had the bacon roll and a side of chips which really hit the spot, of course I also had a slice of Victoria sponge and a americano….also very good. Based on this experience I would recommend a visit if you need anything for the garden…I would certainly recommend the cafe as this was our principle reason for visiting.

Excellent home cooked food. Lovely place and great value plants.

Called into Skelton Garden Centre on way to York, my daughter was looking for a small gift for partner who she was on the way to see and I love a garden centre so was keen for a browse. When we arrive at 10.30, there was only two other cars in the car park and the shop appeared quiet. The female member of staff was staring at us as we got out of the car and I did wonder if they were open. I began to browse and my two daughters went to the toilet. I went outside and spotted some plant pots similar to the collection I have, I was keen to buy some more. As I approached my daughters who were looking for a gift, the female member of staff heard me say I will get some of them later and said "Aren't you going to buy something, or are you just using the toilets!" I beg your pardon, I was just about to spend £50-80 on garden pots, have a coffee and something to eat, but Wow!! No thank you!!! I will take my money elsewhere. We went to DOBBIES and my daughter bought a lovely gift for her partner from there instead. I will never return to this store, we felt very uncomfortable from arriving to leaving. The photos are from my garden, the collection of pots I was hoping to add to!!!

Visited Skelton Garden Centre this morning my daughter was looking for a small gift for partner who she was on the way to see and I love a garden centre so was keen for a browse. When we arrive at 10.30, there was only two other cars in the car park and the shop appeared quiet. The female member of staff was staring at us as we got out of the car and I did wonder if they were open. I began to browse and my two daughters went to the toilet. I went outside and spotted some plant pots similar to the collection I have, I was keen to buy some more. As I approached my daughters who were looking for a gift, the female member of staff heard me say I will get some of them later and said "Aren't you going to buy something, or are you just using the toilets!" I beg your pardon, I was just about to spend £50-80 on garden pots, have a coffee and something to eat, but Wow!! No thank you!!! I will take my money elsewhere. We went to DOBBIES and my daughter bought a lovely gift for her partner from there instead. I will never return to this store, we felt very uncomfortable from arriving to leaving. The photos are from my garden, the collection of pots I was hoping to add to!!!

Well cared.for plants and a nice little cafe.

The garden centre is very nice, not too big ad great prices. Staff re helpful with knowledge of plant care. Cafe OK but the cake we had could have been better.

Very expensive, bought a paddle. Need a dw

Lovely place and friendly helpful staff. Would recommend to all.

Lovely little hidden gem. Great food and friendly service.

A nice small garden centre we popped into as we were passing. Lot's of nice options of and for pots, hanging baskets and other garden ideas. There's also a cafe we didn't try but looked nice

Just the right size. They have everything.

Excellent all round garden experience. Staff always friendly and knowledgeable. Produce comprehensive selection, well cared for and good prices. Cafe has fresh food and home made scones and cakes. Great!!! Thank you

Small but with plenty of choice for plants. I bought some herbs which were reasonably priced. Had a drink and scone in the cafe which was also very nice.

Just popped in for a butty but had a wonder around as well, if you want an ACER give it a go they have plenty and prices not to bad.

Reasonable selection of plants.

Lovely place to meet up with friends for a cuppa and cake. The lemon drizzle cake is amazing

Cake in the cafe was wonderful.

Lovely dog friendly coffee shop and nice coffee too

Nice place with good selection had a lovely scone and cuppa with plenty of choice of buns and cakes

Very helpful. Good range of stock

Great range of plants and helpful knowledgeable staff

Had a super 5 night break here. Breakfast was included in the price and was tasty and plentiful. Staff friendly and helpful. Grounds lovely. *The above is a review for Burn Hall Hotel NOT Skelton Garden Centre*

Excellent 😀 Has a little cafe ☕ and Christmas 🎄 🎅 🎁 displays

This is the second and last time we will be visiting this garden centre. On both occasions we found the female member of staff unwelcoming and unfriendly. It made us feel like we were an inconvenience rather than valued customers trying to support a local business. We won't be back. Strange response from the owner. We actually visited in the afternoon and visited once on this day. We live nearby so used our own facilities before we left home! From your various reviews it looks like a few people have had a similar experience to us and received the same stock reply. Customer service skills need improving.

Lovely coffee and cake. Have some pretty Christmas decorations for sale.

Vast selection of plants and a really good selection of gifts too. Highly recommend.

disappointed that cafe was closed by 3 o'clock on a Saturday. Nice independent garden centre, week go again if passing

Café is small and no hot meals. A sandwich will cost you £5.50.

Went there to check out the houseplant section. Good variety, but on the expensive side. Staff was friendly.

Unfortunately I had an extremely negative experience here last week. Both members of staff I spoke with made me feel extremely unwelcome. I do not recommend visiting.

40 of us pre booked a breakfast meeting again and the staff coped admirably this a most excellent meeting place good café and lovely plants. We have been many times and will be back

Having recently moved to a nearby village was looking to have a big spend and try out the cafe. Glad I didn’t give them a penny. The awfully unfriendly older woman in the plants section needs to learn customer service skills. Talk about feeiling unwelcome. Truly disgraceful attitude to have when running a business but it’s up to you how you run it. There are no shortages of Garden Centres in the area and I will happily recommend anyone I know to avoid this place. Train staff to help customers not make them feel like a burden.

Very nice place to shop easy parking and access

I called in today to ask if I could use there toilet I have never felt so humiliated the member of staff was so rude and told me I couldn’t use the facilities as I wasn’t buying anything I offered to pay to use the loo she then went on to say that it was people like me that abused the facilities after saying I would buy something she let me use it trust me if I wasn’t desperate I would not have stopped it certainly wasn’t good customer service that’s for sure perhaps the member of staff should have a little bit more compassion

Wide range of healthy plants and other gardening bits and bobs. I enjoyed a quick browse and was able to choose two trailing plants which will be perfect for my friend's house. At just £1 each you can't go wrong. They aren't green fingered.

Limited stock and quite expensive.

Beautiful garden centre, lots of plants to choose from at reasonable prices. we had a cream tea it was excellent freshly baked scones with jam & cream nice pot of tea would recommend to visit.

Lovely display of plants for every garden

Coffee food good pl ants good for money

Good value terracotta pots, some in nice large sizes. Not very many horticultural accessories but some nice plants at reasonable prices. Bought some lovely Chinese Lantern plants that I had real trouble finding elsewhere.