The Secret Garden Cafe in North Dorset

Oh my goodness. What an absolute joy to have lunch at this super little hideaway with family. The service was fabulous, and everyone had a smile on their faces. So polite and happy it made me feel good! The food was excellent and plentiful. Loved having a chat with the staff members. Hats off to Ben and his team. We shall be back to enjoy more of the wonderful culture. A huge thank you to everyone.

Met a group of friends here for lunch and not only was the food delicious and reasonably priced but the place was so warm and welcoming. With plenty of parking and easy access it is a perfect place for a meet up.

Shouldn't be kept a secret This place is a hidden gem After a bimble around the well stocked garden centre it's a perfect spot for a pick me up Lovely setting, great staff, delicious food Definitely one not to miss Highly recommend the cappuccino cake 😋

Excellent food, lovely staff beautiful surroundings and excellent plants .we’ve been a few times now , it’s quite addictive 👍 xx

What an amazing find. Vegan - vegetarian. Great coffee. Dog friendly. The service was brilliant and food quality high.

Went with family, and it started with a disappointment in that the excellent fried breakfasts are only available before 11:45am. Unfortunately this is a recent change and the menu downloaded a few days before hadn't mentioned this. However this disappointment turned to delight with excellent meals for all at reasonable prices. I can personally recommend the Secret Garden burger, which was one of the best burgers I've had. Quality burger and bacon, with excellent chips. Very pleased, and nothing was too much trouble (and our party had several food requirements). Will definitely come again, and recommend this cafe to anyone.

Every time we have visited the food is amazing. We've had breakfast, roast dinner and cream tea. All fabulous. Thank you.

We went to The Secret Garden Cafe for first time this morning for a late breakfast this morning. Sat outside in the sunshine and enjoyed a Full English Breakfast including hot drink, juice and toast, served piping hot on heated plates. Great Service, friendly and polite no problem with changing an item in a breakfast for an alternative. Competitively priced and we were full up at end. Recommend a visit.

£5 for 1 and a half cheap bland sausages in a dry bun, when we eventually got served that is! We won't be going back and definitely not recommended.

I’ve now eaten here three times and each time has been excellent. The staff here are so lovely, last time, the salad that we had was a plate full of gorgeous, tasty, fresh food. Today, my husband fancied a Cream Tea but they had run out out scones. The lovely lady in the kitchen baked some more whilst we enjoyed a panini, where else would that happen?! And both were delicious and generous. You can eat in or out, undercover or enjoy the sunshine. Lovely cafe and Lovely garden centre too, wish I lived closer. Thank you.

The secret garden has a large outside garden and a small inside area to eat covid restrictions are in place and well adhered to. We had popped in for a coffee and cake. The coffee was great but I gave 4 star because the sponge cake was dry. They advertise a roast on a Sunday so we may go back to try it. There was plenty of choice on the menu and they seemed to cater for everyone.

If you want to see how socially distanced cafes are run properly look no further. They have it exactly right and it is a pleasure to visit. Best to book though. Good food and service.

Well Esme what can I say about our afternoon tea, it was absolutely GORGEOUS we were so pleased food was homemade high quality, large portions, we still have cake left over for my morning coffee and you made my favourite cake passion fruit cake(LUSH) we will reuse, recommend and shout from the roof tops. I'm not a snob but your so much better than Harrods. Esme is a complete Star ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Literally passing by and called in for breakfast. Had the small cooked breakfast which came with hot drink and OJ. Nice atmosphere and friendly staff.

Three of us thoroughly enjoyed the home cooked roast lunch. Very generous portions with a large variety of nicely cooked veg, yorkies and a big jug of gravy. Our clean plates said it all! Amazing value, very friendly staff and excellent efficient service. Well done SGC.

What a delight. Small but quaint.The breakfast was on offer, 2 full English for £12. The food was delicious more than adequate. Superb value as it included the coffees and an orange juice. The staff were very friendly.Looking at the menu, it offers a small but varied selection. The pricing is competitive.Would advise to book, as word gets around of how good it is, then you will won't miss out.

Pleasant enough place. Typical garden centre cafe prices £7.25 for panini and coffee, would be reasonable if not for the quality.WHO leaves white bacon fat on a bacon and brie panini?If you can't cook it til the fat is brown then cut it off before you hide it under melted brie.Salad was mehColeslaw was homemade by somebody who apparently doesn't know how to make coleslaw.Not a place I'll be going back to.

My husband and I went in to try the roast dinner today. It was lovely, great value for money and a warm welcoming from the staff even though they were busy. We will be back soon as we booked a Christmas meal too.

Visited here a few times as we live locally, this is now our go to cafe, when we want a lunch or afternoon tea. Excellent food and service at a sensible price, would highly recommend it to anyone.

Thank you for such a peaceful setting for a delicious lunch, with friendly and efficient service from Maisie. We were also very grateful for the knowledgeable help in the garden centre. We will be back!

We were so welcomed by Pam on arrival. Nothing to much trouble. We ordered Italian spring soup and my daughter had broccoli and cheese bake. The food was plentiful, delicious and a good price.The cafe is so lovely and light and the staff we also met in the garden centre are just lovely.We will be back.

Really nice coffee and very friendly service. Homemade cakes and local cheeses all set in a superb garden centre.

Good place for ya food and drink, won't be disappointed, enjoyed very much... Highly recommend, people should pay visit

A lovely restaurant sells a good range of snacks cakes etc. The coffee here is very good. You can eat inside or out. The breakfast sausage bap was huge! We regularly go here even if we are not buying plants the service is very good too.

The secret garden cafe is a little gem,I love to come here with friends and family. Friendly staff and lovely food. I had a toasted sandwich, that comes with salad and crisp, and I couldn't fault it. Also nice to know you're helping the charity as well. Go for a visit you won't be disappointed.

Brilliant cafe after visiting the garden centre. The staff are really friendly & allow dogs to come in.....the menu had lots of choice & at a very good price.

A great place for tea/coffee and amazingly delicious cakes. I enjoy sitting outside in the sheltered courtyard nibbling at a range of gourmet shortbreads or yummy cake while puzzling out a crossword. Very friendly staff and of course, an even bigger bonus, there’s the mass of plants and ideas for your garden.

Nicely cooked lunch served up by very friendly staff in a welcoming atmosphere. Its got a spacious patio area which will be perfect when the weather improves, and compliments the garden centre nicely.

Visited the Thornfield garden centre Gillingham Dorset as they are dog friendly. Looking round we came accros the Secret Garden Caffe and decided to have a spot of lunch. The staff were very friendly,food was good and great value.

Went to the secret garden cafe with a friend and 2 dogs. Made to feel very welcome in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.Lovely cakes and lite bites.Great to support a charity as well. Would highly recommend a visit to the garden centre and a stop at the cafe to sample their delicious cakes.

We visited the Secret Garden cafe whilst shopping at the garden centre and gift shop, not much to do in Gillingham, so we were delighted to find this little eden!

We were looking for a place in Gillingham for a light lunch. My wife and I both had a round each of there sandwiches which came with a lovely salad and some very nice crisps. The sandwiches were fresh made and very well filled, I would say they were very good value. My daughter had there cream tea and this also was very nice. There drinks were also at a reasonable prices. All in I would say a very nice place for a Drink or light meal. In fact so nice my wife and I were tempt in to a lovely piece of cake for desert. And given the nice setting and friendly staff I would say well worth turning off the the beaten track to find this gem of a cafe.

I am chairman of Yeovil Stroke Club we visited the Secret Garden for a meal for 15 people the staff was very good the meal was out of this world well worth the money the members want to return and we have book 2 more visits this your thank you all the staff our only complaint was the cafe was too small so summer visit next time and look forward to seeing the new café opening I live in Marnhull so and l visited many times and l have mentioned the café to loads of people and had a good feedback plus a couple of the members have visited again

Wonderful staff, lovely space, great food and peaceful place to chill. Have been visiting every week for last 9 months and staff are really friendly. 😁

A great selection of both hot & cold food & drinks. Even catering for gluten free & vegan customers. Food is freshly prepared and is delicious. I would recommend anyone to go along & try for themselves.

We wanted a light lunch and having not visited the cafe since its revamp decided to give it a try. We were not disappointed. There is a good choice of sandwiches, paninis and hot meals which should suit even the fussiest eaters.

Thronegrove garden center have a hidden Gem, Worth the walk or short drive up a lovely countryside drive to the cafe and garden center. Every visit I’ve been to visit them I have been so pleased with the friendly service and fresh food. Everyone who works there including their service users are so helpful and I can’t wait to see the new building/barn which I believe can hold 100 people with amazing views and children play area coming this year.

Thorngrove Garden Centre Cafe The Secret Garden is truly amazing and has such an touch of class!!! Decorated beautiful in the inside with the friendliest welcome from staff I have ever received anywhere. Also added to this magic is an beautiful patio area which is boarded with shrubs and plants and hanging baskets. The food menu has lots to offer and has an good variety also on there specials board you are truly undesicive on what to order as there is such an great selection to include Gluten Free choices on food and cakes. . The food is so reasonable great value for money. Not also to forget they have an extensive cake variety which is dispalyed so well you want one of everything ... The Secret Garden Cafe will succeed beyond success and more.. The potential will be overwhelming... EMA has wonderful students working everyday in this establishment and they are doing an wonderful job... This is my number one place in Gillingham

Great place fantastic food and service and beautiful Christmas Tree thank you! Couldn't do more for me!

A great new cafe on a wonderful site in Gillingham. A range of lunch options, cakes and drinks. Child friendly, welcoming staff and above all, fantastic value for money. I’ve visited several times in recent months and look forward to many more trips in the future. A great new addition to Gillingham, offering something that little bit different.

The Secret Garden Cafe at Thorngrove Garden Centre is truly wonderful. Thorngrove Garden Centre has been purchased by Employ My Ability and the new beautiful cafe has been built as part of their regeneration work. Employ My Ability service users and students work in the Cafe and the Garden Centre, helping to contribute to the welcoming atmosphere and feel of the place. The food is delicious and the cakes are a super special treat! There is free Wi-Fi too which is a bonus in Gillingham. I can't wait to return!