The Potting Shed in North Hertfordshire

My wife and I have visited this garden centre a few times over the past 3yrs ever since we moved a 10min walk away. Never been to the cafe until today. Sunshine out... a walk down and a quick lunch to test out the cafe.. the coffee and quality of food. People tend to review things when they have a great experience or a below expectation one. This experience was way below what we would expect from the nearest cafe to Fairfield Park and the surrounding area. Expecially if you want to be able to recommend it or take family and friends visiting. My wife and I sat outside, had our order taken and proceeded to wait.. firstly to get a cappuccino instead of an Americano, then a coke without ice on a very hot day then the water we ordered never came....and then waited almost an hour before being served our food. So not the quick bite out for lunch. I will allow the time delay on a busy sunny Sunday.. as long as the food makes up for it. It didn't. A greasy cheese and ham toasted wrap, a few plain crisps and a few salad levels for £8.50 was extremely disappointing. No tomatoes...no cucumber! It either needs to tick the value for money box or be worthy of paying that much for. £23 for a coffee, a warm coke and two wraps is poor, should have stayed home and done it myself. I'm writing this review as a local and because I know this is a family run business so it's important you are aware of this experience. As a customer why should I come back? Lastly, there were a number of younger staff helping out, but kept walking past dirty plates on our table. Lots of work to be done before I come back I'm afraid.

Found this little gem several months ago and found the staff courteous and friendly. Limited menu items but they also have daily specials including soups etc., they also have a good selection of cakes on offer. Although my wife is a vegetarian she always finds something to eat that she enjoys. The price is very reasonable and the meal portions adequate for lunch. Today I decided to book a table as it was a bank holiday and was informed that hot food must be ordered before 2.30pm. As we live about 45 minutes drive away from the café we left early to ensure we arrived before closing time. My wife ordered her favourite dish of a baked potato with beans and cheese only to be informed that this item was not available. As this happened on our last visit I was quite amazed that such a popular café could keep running out of menu items. We were also informed that most of the cake choices were not available also as they had been very busy. My cheese and tomato sandwich was not appealing as before and was made out of tiger bread and had been cut very thick. The accompanying salad was minimal to say the least, just a few green leaves with no tomato or cucumber and with added crisps. It was so disappointing to travel to one of your favourite eating places only to find that the everything had gone downhill so we will not be returning. I recommend that owners invest in a small freezer and microwave to ensure that the very popular menu item of a baked potato will always available.

Lovely, freshly made food, attentive ,friendly staff, tasty and varied menu, including a range of cakes for those without a sweet tooth and those who prefer something fruitier.

We have visited this cafe several times and always found the staff very helpful and courteous. Although the menus has limited choices the food is excellent and very competitive on price. To The cafe is located in the garden centre and has outside areas for dog walkers looking for a decent lunch. There is also a doggie menu. My wife had one of 3 choices of home made soup and I had the cheese and tomato toasted sandwich. Both were great value and very enjoyable. As we had travelled from Pimlico, Herts., the journey was worthwhile. Strongly recommend this cafe.

Fabulous freshly cooked food. Cosy cafe with another setting in the greenhouse. Great cakes (huge portions). Most importantly GREAT STAFF! They were supper nice to my granddaughter and even gave her an ordering pad when she wanted to be waitress. We will be back every time we visit my ex mother in law!

Although quite a small cafe with limited menu, this place can hold its own against some of the larger eating places you find in the chain garden centres. Service is friendly and efficient. Most items on the menu seem to be made to order. We had a couple of toasted sandwiches, which were tasty and nicely presented. My wife was impressed that they knew how to make “proper” iced-coffee. All in all a good place for a light lunch or a snack. Reasonably priced as well. There appeared to be two indoor seating areas and also some tables set up outside amongst the plants. There is also a small farm shop on site, where we bought some fresh veg.

Have visited many many times. Never had a bad experience. Such a friendly team. Food is fabulous! They run a professional but friendly business and from what I can see, have many loyal customers that return on a regular basis. Support local business and give them a try! As well as the café, they have a great little garden centre with fresh produce too.

This place is a real gem! After reading such excellent reviews, we thought we would give it a try and we certainly weren’t disappointed. Delicious, fresh food from a varied menu, wonderful service and a lovely greenhouse cafe to enjoy sitting in whatever the weather....

We have been coming here for year's - always lovely. Great food, great service, pretty setting. Best bacon and brie toastie and delicious iced coffee. Highly recommend, we will be back again.

A gorgeous ‘shed’ location wise, selection & service wise. It’s a gem near my parents house so I have visited recently with my sister, friends and yesterday by husband 🫖I love the inside cafe but prefer the shed environment, tea, tea cake & cappuccino were...

Super quality home made food in a relaxed and pleasant setting. Good & timely service from friendly staff. Would recommend, also a great range of Gluten Free.

I went in today with my mum and sister got a cake and a coffee each, when the cake arrived there was dirt like blue fluff on my cake. I told the lady for her to SnapBack at me and say it’s a hair line...

I used to come here every Saturday/Sunday a few years ago but have since moved out of the area so haven’t been able to come, however this morning I thought I’d treat my mum to breakfast here and I’m absolutely devastated because it was just...

We googled coffee shops Letchworth and the potting shed came up tops. Relaxed and a lovely spot. We will be back with our grandson to see the chickens and Rheas.

Lovely independent garden centre. Great selection of good quality plants for sale at reasonable prices. I like the new outside seating and eating area for the Potting Shed cafe which has a good selection of food and yummy cakes. Particularly like the setting and being...

We love visiting this lovely place! It’s like a day out last week we visited and chose an amazing array of vegetable plug plants. This week we took my little granddaughter to look at the chickens. We bought some from here years ago so it...

We went because we read the reviews and thought it should be good! we arrived and could not see a menu so asked if they were serving breakfast. They advised they could do a sausage or bacon sandwich. The price was £12.50 for 2 less...

one of their products I purchased just as an example is that I was surprised to find out that their locally sourced Ivel Springs honey smells and tastes almost identical to my preferred Himalayan honey which I obtained rarely through great difficulty. This will definitely...

I have been coming here for over 8 years & The Potting Shed is a lovey place to visit for breakfast, lunch or just a slice of cake. They have been working hard with all of the COVID restrictions and have just opened up an...

We visited today, the first time this year. Very welcoming and superb organisation to make a safe, COVID secure environment, tables well distanced, good use of outside space, clear signage and visable sanitising of tables and communal spaces. The food was freshly prepared and great...

nice place for afternoon lunch enjoy it very much with my mum and nan will be back soon hopefully, staffed seemed friendly service could have been a little quicker but not a complaint to say about this place

OK place, car park bit small, access for disabled is OK. Good range of plants. Staff are friendly n helpful. Prices are OK.

I visited Thornes this morning to collect my chickens, the customer service was excellent as it always is every time I have visited. Social distancing was being adhered to very well Thankyou very much for my lovely hens

Met a friend at this little gem, having never been before. Only had a coffee and cake but it was delicious and I’m looking forward to going back!

First visit today for lunch and really enjoyed it. Staff very friendly and welcoming and food was lovely and good size portions. Will certainly be back. Had a mooch round the garden nursery after and bought some plants - will enjoy coming back in the...

Very friendly and helpful staff. Lovely service. We had tea and a snack, which was very good. Will definitely be visiting again.

Family friendly cafe serving very good paninis. My smoked salmon and cream cheese panini was excellent. Some home-made coleslaw was very welcome. We finished with wonderful cakes. This cafe is enjoyed by all the family. There are plenty of tables to enjoy food inside and...

I have been to The Potting Shed many times for lunch but this week went for breakfast for the first time. Myself and my friend both had sandwiches and coffees. It was absolutely lovely!!! There were plenty of people there at 1030 but the service...

Having been here before for lunch when it was full and very busy, we were looking forward to what may have been a lovely Sunday morning breakfast. But with two other families in there and only one waiting for their order, after 15 minutes our...

We've been many times to Thornes Cafe & Chicken Centre but this is the first time we were told of the Quiet Room. It is plain inside, heated, with a good view onto the garden centre; 7 seats that can be arranged to give from...

Went for breakfast with a friend - the cafe is really friendly and the garden centre is cute. Food and drink are inexpensive. Great place for a catch up with friends!

Lovely spot and breakfast was lovely, relaxed atmosphere and priced well. Small garden center but all you will need, helpful friendly staff.

Back again this time for breakfast There was a set breakfast but we picked alternatives and it was delicious bacon mushrooms tomatoes toast and a pit of tea The tea was a very good brand lovely flavour Toast arrived with a pot of butter Such...

We regularly stop off here on a bike ride. Great cakes and welcoming to the children with nice and reasonably priced children’s lunch boxes. We need to get out an early ride one day to stop off for breakfast!

Found this gem of s small garden centre free range chickens ostriches The cafe was amazing great breakfast We had smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwich on granary we told ladies we wanted ti share and the sandwiches were served up on to separate plates...

Fantastic food especially the bacon and sausage sandwiches and amazing service. Lunch menu is also very good and the team are very nice,

I brought my husband and son for breakfast having popped into the garden centre a few days before. The charming owners told me about the cafe and wrote down the opening times as well as giving me two loyalty drinks cards. We popped in on...

My first lunch out with my 9 month old granddaughter and the Potting Shed certainly fitted the bill. A lovely friendly welcome and plenty of parking space for the buggy in the annexe. Then we moved into the cafe and the food and service were...

This little cafe is set in an independent garden centre.It doesn't pretend to be the Ritz. The staff were very sociable. Our toasted bagel with scrambled egg and smoked salmon was good. We will be back for lunch !

Pop by the Potting Shed often for an iced coffee and lunch. Am always met with a lovely welcome from the staff and great eats. Could not recommend more!

This is a pleasant little cafe with a nice atmosphere on the whole. Today I had a salad, which was quite nice, but I wish they would use organic ingredients as non-organic ones contain so many toxins which are extremely detrimental for both humans and...

Searched for a good cafe in Hertfordshire and this local garden centre was No. 1 - great. The coffee was really good, but everything else was just average, nothing bad about it but certainly not the best in all of Hertfordshire. Packet sliced bread -...

You do not know me ,I think I'm more like Victor Meldrew... However this cafe and centre was a wonderful find and treat for me.The best was the hospitality of the staff .She was lovely and so accommodating. Food generous and delicious. Lovely place to...

Called in to look at plants then decided to have a snack. Cheese and ham toasties with salad and home made coleslaw was very nice and very filling. Flat white coffee was good too as was the friendly service. Will definately make this a regular...

Popped in for a lunch time snack and a coffee, my wife enjoyed the goats cheese tart special and I had tarragon chicken! Both very tasty and enjoyable we will be coming back. Thanks to the staff, excellent.

Called in on my way past for a very late lunch and was quickly and pleasantly served up an excellent BLT. Nice tea too. Good price and I will be back.

Best place near Fairfield Park / Stotfold to have a great breakfast or snacks. Great customer service and fresh quality food. At the same time purchase plants,shrubs, Eggs and fresh Veg within Thornton’s Nursery/Garden centre. Perfect for Children to view the free roaming Chickens and...

Tables inside and out. Small room that's dog friendly to eat inside if it's not nice enough to sit out. Lovely staff, good breakfast. Yummy cakes. Good value. Plus it's a lovely little garden centre that actually sells plants! Plus chickens and rheas to look...

We rediscovered this little independent garden centre on an overcast Sunday. Well cared for plants, chickens and Rheas with amazingly beautiful eyes! We stopped in at the cafe for coffee and we were tempted by a delicious looking courgette and avocado cake, which was indeed...

We found this by chance - and it was a great day out for the family, including an 'Easter Egg hunt' for the children. Great food, friendly staff. Much more than just a nursery - which looked good too!

Although this café is on the busy Letchworth to Stotfold Road it really is a hidden gem of a place. It's also accessible from the Letchworth Greenway, so it makes for a pleasant stop off point on a stroll. The food is fresh and wholesome...

Have now been here for lunch twice.on both occasions the food was excellent and the staff efficient and friendly.we will be back soon. Ray

Lovely little coffee shop. Fantastic cooked breakfast, even with a lovely vegetarian option for my brother. Topped off by friendly service and cake to takeaway!

Well the Potting Shed never disappoints, just been for another excellent lunchtime sandwich and coffee.Their special of Tarragon Mustard Chicken is my particular favourite right now.Great Latte Coffee also puts all the major coffee outlets to shame.If you've never been to the Potting Shed, you're missing out big time, go see for yourself.

Like most of my favourite places, I fear getting bing a glowing review will make it too busy for us to get in...We went for a halfterm treat and they catered for my 2 daughters (one fussy, one adventurous) brilliantly.We had great toasted sandwiches (the girls) and a testy bowl of soup, followed by berry(not lemon) drizzle.The hot chocolate is sublime (without flimflam on top)!Btw Salads in summer are superb.

Very friendly welcome, good food and selection, excellent service with a smile. Well worth a visit even if you don't need anything from the Thorne's garden centre.

Good local cafe. Excellent food. Serves good selection sandwiches, bagels etc soup, salads, jacket potatoes, cakes. Very friendly and helpful staff.Always a friendly welcome

I've been here quite a few times and I've always enjoyed it. The staff are friendly and helpful. I've only eaten here a couple of times as I often only pop in for a coffee, but have noticed that their menu is expanding nicely. I think I'll make sure I eat when visiting next time.As its part of a garden centre/nursery, with chickens for sale too, there's always plenty to look at/buy.I'm pleased I live close by.

COSY cafe with welcoming goodies, The potting shed is tucked away at the rear of Thorne's PLant Nursery along HITCHIN road. Excellent cakes, scones, delicious coffee, hot chocolate and soups. A pot of tea is served promptly, light lunches on offer, and we even had an extra tea pot of hot water to top up our afternoon tea and cake. Warm and COSY at this time of year, but in summer there are many outside seats. Well worth a visit, and you can pick some eggs or fresh veg on your way out.

The cafe is in the potting shed and the end of a rather disappointing garden centre.It serves lunches both jhot and cold and a wide selection of cakes and drinks.Nice for a change with cheerful staff. Would recommend.

Wohoo! the only place that has served me with what I have wanted for many years of dining in all kinds of cafes and restaurants and can never get - a slice of toast (or two) with a cup of coffee. Thank you.

The Potting Shed is within Thornes Garden Centre. The tearoom has recently been renovated & has a pleasant, friendly atmosphere. The staff are welcoming & helpful. Tasty light lunches are prepared and tea, coffee & a selection of cakes & scones are also available. As a family we love coming here for a light lunch on a Saturday & coffee & tea during the week whenever we can.

SInce finding it, The Potting Shed is our regular cafe for a weekly lunch. Food's good - now with choice of locally-cooked cakes and sweets - and accommodates those who want a quick snack and those who want something more substantial for the day. Good menu backed by a series of specials for those looking for something a bit different. Very friendly and helpful staff who quickly pick up on your regular choice. Housed in an old potting shed and with a recent internal refurbishment, its surrounded by heritage greenhouses of the garden centre. This has real character and an ambience some distance away from the usual 'coffee 'n' cake establishment.

Good snacks and lunches with a friendly atmosphere . Once you've been a few times the staff usually know what you'd like as soon as you arrive . Unless you change your mind of course!

The perfect place to go for a Tea or Coffee, plus the best selection of cakes anywhere.Also on offer light lunches, plus tasty sandwiches, jacket potatoes and homemade soups.In the summer sit at a table outside, surrounded by the beautiful trees, plants and flowers of the Thorns Garden Centre, but also great anytime of year with the newly refurbished interior of the cafe a relaxing place to sit.Friendly staff just add to the overall "feel good" vibe of this place, I cannot recommend it enough, but don't just take my word for it, go along and see for yourself and enjoy.

Great place hidden at the back of the garden centre. Great for the kids as have chickens and even Rheas!Posh coffees and sausage sandwiches. Just been refurbished inside too.

Recently revamped little cafe where we go each Saturday morning for an excellent cup of coffee and a tea cake We have also enjoyed their sandwiches and bagels served by very friendly staff and on our way out from the garden centre can buy jumbo size free range eggs and a good selection of vegetables

Good quality food and coffee, child friendly and welcoming staff. Bonus to be able to walk to it. Highly recommend.

Always a good lunch and the owner/manager is a lovely guy. Great for a coffee, Panini and cake with a girl friend or with the kids

Disappointed to come back to a previously loved teashop to find a bizarre pricing system. Cream teas are £3-50 but I only wanted a scone, and was amazed to find it was nothing special and priced at £3-25 ie more than most other teashops and John Lewis! The explanation given was that this kept the price of the cream teas down or something??? Such a pity as we will not be returning.

Found this quite by chance while visiting the garden centre and took advantage of finding this buried away in the far corner. It gives a feeling of homemade produce as you enter somehow but have no idea if this is true.Can vouch for the cake and the tea. Really nice. Decent slice of cake and always a good selection. Will be going back for sure.

Tasty bagels & delicious cakes with excellent coffee We had smoked salmon & cream cheese bagels with salad & crisps which were lovely. Apple & Blueberry cake very nice. Limited choice of cakes but was later in the day. Deserves a return visit

After reading the reviews and with it being so close to home thought I would give it a try.Seems a nice little place and staff were friendly and polite.Arrived shortly after 12 pm and we're told they had no jackets and only 1 soup left. We both had a toasted sandwich which apparently comes with a salad garnish. When the food arrived it was just lettuce leaves, hardly a salad! Had a slice of cake afterwards which was rather dry and was quite disappointed. With other establishments near by that offer the same plus more was surprised at how expensive the food was.Doubt I will visit again.

Lovely fresh food, all served with a smile...can highly recommend the bagels & soup...a little hidden gem!

Lovely little café tucked away in the Garden Centre, serving one of the largest Jacket potato meals ive had in a while!! The is a very good selection of cakes too, again served in a generous portion...

Always a very friendly reception at this small coffee shop. Lovely gluten free cakes which change each visit.

We visit here a lot. Always a warm welcome and good service. Carl and Steve and the team produce freshly made sandwiches, soups and cakes. Great coffee served by welcoming and friendly staff. Great for young children as well, Joshua and Harry love walking around the garden centre looking at the chickens and other birds. Keep up the great work. Steve

We often go to The Potting Shed and have recently started having their homemade coronation chicken sandwiches; absolutely delicious. Would recommend them to anyone wanting a really tasty lunch in a friendly environment.

I love this place as it's easy to park, the service is great (Steve and Liz) and the food is so fresh and tasty. I usually go for a special,which is clearly advertised on the board. The cakes are fab especially the homemade scones with the crunchy topping. Everything is great value for money and cheaper than other local cafes/garden centers.I work in Letchworth so ideal for a lunchtime meeting with work colleagues. The venue is small and can great crowded and a little noisey. Mums with oversized push chairs try to take over and the staff do their best to accommodate but be prepared to leave it at the door. Healthy and safety first!

We called in to Thornes to buy chicken related goods and had lunch in The Potting shed. Staff are always very friendly and professional. Food up to the usual good standard. Lovely home made cakes!

I don't write loads of trip advisor reviews (this is my third) but having read some about here thought I would add our experience of the potting shed. My wife started coming here with our daughter on maternity leave about three years ago and found it to be a lovely place to go. My daughter being on oxygen often elsewhere gets comments such a 'what's wrong with the poorly child, bless her, etc.' which can get frustrating - this has never happened at the potting shed, so it's nice that the staff look past her obvious illness - they are all so welcoming and warm to children / babies (as well as to adults). We think the food is great value for money, really fresh tasting, coffee well made and cakes are delicious with always a great selection. Location feels nicely secluded and great for little ones who can visit the chickens afterwards - and the inside has a rustic charm. Free WiFi can be useful if your addicted to the Internet although I recommend you take the chance to relax and switch off. Overall an outstanding place with lovely staff, ideal to catch up with friends or stop off on a family trip / cycle.

From reviews was expecting reasonably priced food. Small selection of food and prices more than similar establishments in hitchin town centre. Food ok but basic. Specials board not pointed out to us. Staff pleasant but didn't offer us loyalty card but they did others who just bought a coffee.

Always a warm welcome. Good food at good prices all served with a smile and care. A great selection of cakes too. What more could anyone ask for?!

This is a bijou café in a garden centre, used by all members of society with very friendly and helpful staff. in quiet and peaceful surroundings All the food is homemade and delicious. with a good variety of soup, snacks, sandwiches and cakes and pastries.This is within a mile from my residence, and therefore I frequently go for a snack, meet friends, it is not the type of place you have to dress up for, but friendly break from routineor chat, a happy place to by your plants, eggs or greengrocery, and stop for tea, coffee,ormeet and talk

We had a lovely afternoon break in the potting shed. The outside seating looks onto the garden centre. Fantastic for the kids to birn ogf a bit of energy.

Lovely little tea room in a pretty garden nursery called Thorne's. The cakes are homemade and they also do some lovely lunchtime dishes.

First, let me get the negative bits out of the way -The kitchen (behind the serving area) was very noisy, with constant banging, clattering and beeping sounds, and the adjacent washing-up area was noisy.Also, the dining area was noisy. I found that chairs constantly scraping on a hard tiled floor was very irritating. And the main door banged every time entered or left.The interior was plain, with few wall decorations, and white-painted brick walls, and was generally quite noisy, due to the high ceiling which added to the echo effect.There were cheap plastic table coverings, but all the above could be forgiven because it is, after all, a converted 'Potting Shed' at a Garden centre, which I suppose adds to the character.Although we were served fairly quickly with pots of tea, our main meals (cold snacks) took quite a while to arrive - in fact I had time to write most of this report.And now I come to the best (and most important) part :A friendly greeting, and plenty of choice of tables. Our food was excellent. I had the Stilton and Pork Pie Ploughman's Lunch, with Salad, served with a nice sweet chutney. Even the bread and butter was very tasty.My wife's prawn sandwich (with salad) looked very good, with a generous filling of prawns.All served, with a friendly smile, by the pleasant chef/waitress.There were seven 4-place tables and a table for eight inside, with additional outside seating (pleasant in the sun at this time of year), where orders were taken at your table (as inside).The cafe was popular, but not crowded, and it was obvious there were many 'regulars' as some customers were being greeted personally.And to top it all, the price was very reasonable.Definitely worth a visit, during your browsing around the well-stocked garden centre.Good car-parking, but easy to miss the small entrance on a busy road.

My sister and I wanted somewhere to meet for a coffee and something to eat that was halfway for both of us. I stumbled on this, and was so pleased we found it. We spent a very pleasant half hour viewing the chickens, which seem to be very well looked after. We then went to the cafe for lunch. It doesn't look much but don't let that fool you. The staff are very friendly, and the food is delicious. We all had bagels with various fillings. They were all very tasty. We had been eyeing up the cakes while we were eating as they looked great, so all decided to have one. We all opted for a home made scone with jam and clotted cream. I have to say I can't remember having a scone as good anywhere before. We will certainly return if we are ever in the area again. Thank you!

A great little gem in the heart of a thriving community. This place offers an excellent selection of sandwiches, cakes, soups, specials etc. if they've got it you can have it!!Very accommodating for children and nothing is ever too much trouble. You won't regret visiting this place.

I've been to the Potting Shed several times and the food is always delicious and the service is always efficient and friendly. They are child friendly and there is plenty of outdoor seating; they are happy to provide anything you need eg hot water for a baby's bottle. I would definitely recommend this cafe to anyone who wants a nice informal and relaxed lunch.

Lovely place with a friendly welcome to have a cup of coffee & either a sandwich or a piece of cake on a sunny day. Be careful though the portions are generous, so don't order too much in one go!There is some pleasant outside seating in the summer - great for people with dogs.Also free wifi is provided.

This is one of the best places for a snack and a coffee. Delicious cakes, lovely soups, and sandwiches second to none, with huge amounts of filling. Steven makes the place, always a great welcome from him, makes you feel special.

The Potting Shed is a friendly little place. The home made cakes are worth a try, just be ready for a large slice! They also sell freshly prepared sandwiches, jacket potatoes etc. Good honest food with a very friendly service.

This small restaurant is within Thorne's Garden Centre. It's a great place for lunch or coffee and a cake ... however, beware ... the cake portions are big. Service is excellent and very friendly ... it is so nice to go into a cafe for the first time and be welcomed virtually as a friend.The place is cosy and beautifully clean. The coffee and food are sensibly priced and very good.(Thorne's is a small family run garden centre that also specialises in breeds of chickens and there is a large area where you can see the various varieties of fowl ... children love it. They also sell the eggs in the shop.)