Woodthorpe in East Lindsey

Having visited for Sunday lunch, I was amazed to be told that at 1405 they had run out of Sunday lunches. Not deterred we tried to order a normal meal only to be told that they had run out of those also. It does beg the question if A. they had not ordered enough basic ingredients in the first place or B. they couldn't be bothered to to serve anything off the menus. They did say that we could order a lighter meals or cake so we decided to perceive. What a mistake my partner ordered a bacon and brie ciabatta and I ordered the chicken tikka and mint wrap. My partners meal came and having taken a bite she found virtually no bacon, and what was in the ciabatta was just bacon bits. As for my meal I found only 3 small pieces of chicken and the rest of it lettuce. We paid £28 for this car crash of a meal and feel thoroughly taken advantage of. it goes without saying that we will never visit again.

My friend booked afternoon tea as a treat . Sandwiches were fresh however the scone was rock hard and so dry almost inedible chocolate cup cake was even dryer very disappointing

we call here regularly and I always have the bacon, brie and onion relish panini/baguette as it was delicious ,but noticed a little decline over the past few times we called , last week it was all relish half a slice of bacon cut up (maybe six tiny pieces) and looked like it had only been shown the frying pan/grill as the rind was still raw and 2 small pieces of brie and the chips were cold so were my husbands and it cant be because they were really busy as they weren't, for the prices they charge expected better than we got, gone down hill a lot just recently gave them benefit of the doubt previous visit as they were busy but very disappointed this time so wont be any repeat visits sorry

Food was pretty overpriced for the standard it was. Read lovely on the menu but was a definite let down, had to send meal back as it was cold (jacket and beans), sandwiches were mediocre but costly. Restaurant busy when we visited but food came out quickly, and service team out front quick to help with cold meal. Young girls on till need to learn the art of smiling, but they weren’t rude (just didn’t look happy to be there!). Debbie out in the restaurant area was fantastic - super friendly and helpful, gave us some ideas where to visit in the local area too. Definitely went above and beyond for us - a definite diamond for the team so I hope she’s appreciated.

Garden Centres focus on traditional meals including carvery style dishes. The difference with the Woodthorpe Garden Centre Cafe is that the food on the day we visited was excellent with well cooked and tasty meats and a wide range of vegetables. A choice of vegetarian breakfasts and carveries were on the menu as well as daily dishes. If you are near to Alford in Lincolnshire then the Gardener's Retreat Restaurant in the Woodthorpe Garden Centre, is definitely worth a visit.

We visited the garden centre and decided to have a carvery. The food was luke warm and very mediocre. We won’t be wasting money here again as this is our second unsatisfactory meal here in the last month

We went today 12 aug .we were going to look around first but decided to go to restaurant first it was 1pm.it wasnt that busy I e seen it alot busier lots of empty tables. We ordered out food at1.07 I had gammon my husband had a carvery.we waited a while my husband went to get his car very i waited for the gammon.it got to 1.37 .so i was going to go and cancel my meal as my husband had eaten his meal.as I was going to do this it arrived over half an hour wait .I told the young man i wasnt happy .he told the manageress who came straight over we told her the issue .she was very sorry my husbands carvery wasnt up to standard and she agreed with him saying they had new managers that wanted things doing differently. She gave us a refund for my meal which was lovely off her.just a mention my gammon was very salty .the standard seems to be going down hill here the chairs are leather coated and a few of them are ripped and the leather ripped look very untidy .such a shame as we live in Mablethorpe and go there quite a lot... seem to be short staffed. ... which isnt our fault but we seem to be the ones that suffer..

We found the carvery very good and fresh, only criticism were the Yorkshire pudding were burnt and ran out of meat pie early. Nice ,clean and friendly restaurant but does get busy.

Visited for light lunch and ordered the soup and roll , my husband had sausage roll and cake we both had a coffee my husband had eaten his and we had drunk our coffee and after waiting around 20 mins the soup arrived it was extremely hot and so thick you could have stood the spoon up in it, when it cooled to a safe temperature to eat it was awful, tasteless, thick mushed up mess basically uneatable so I didn’t. The restaurant was not busy so no idea what took so long to get soup to the table. This is not the first bad food we have had here but first time complained.

Called here on way to Mablethorpe, needed a couple of garden things. Had a cappucino each which came to £5.10 total, lukewarm and a bit pricey.

Carvery is very good but they had run out of some types of meats when we got there at 1.40pm - going earlier next visit. Good for gluten free allergy sufferers. Friendly helpful staff. Deserts and cakes are scrumptious so I must not go too often. It’s also good for just a coffee (and cake).

Would recommend to anyone looking for somewhere after the crematorium to have a get together not your typical venue but food excellent service excellent see Sam for booking We had afternoon tea for 10 people ended up 17 of us unlimited tea and coffee with the food excellent all round

Don't expect high quality cuisine as you won't find it here. But this is a great place to sit and unwind after looking around this fantastic garden centre

As we are Mablethorpe residents we often visit the garden centre. All the plants/flowers we've purchased have always flourished. The majority of staff are very pleasant and helpful. We love seeing the Christmas things on display, and personally think it's a good idea to start early....so we can be organised and have plenty of time to buy. We've enjoyed meals in the restaurant, the paninis are tasty, also the jacket potatoes....we love jam 'n' cream scones but one small criticism is that, although they are nice, they aren't 'true' scones as they are crunchy...scones are supposed to be softer. We look forward to our next visit!

Had a meal in the restaurant today, tomato and Spinach pasta,was nice enough until I chomped on a piece of ice. I assume it may be the spinach that was added that may not have been defrosted properly or maybe the whole meal.

Went here for a relaxing stroll around on a sunny afternoon in late August and was appalled to find Christmas decorations, etc out for sale!! Was so disgusted I didn’t bother with enjoying the stroll around the GARDEN centre. Instead I consoled myself with tea and cake in the cafe. There was a great selection of cakes all looking delicious. The caramel cake I selected had once been lovely - with a delicious flavour and lots of toffee filling - however the slice had clearly been cut for quite sometime, as despite being plated up and covered in cling film, it was very dry and crusty on the outside. Finally I found the ‘dog-friendly’ policy a bit odd, not that I’m anti -dog, but clearly this place is known as a good place to take dogs and hence the centre was full of them!! I only saw one other customer who was dogless!! Probably encountered 20 or more dogs on my very brief visit to this garden centre. I won’t be rushing back ........ at least not for another 4 months when it’s close to Christmas!!!!

This place is a real gem . Great garden centre and a great play area for kids all free and a free maze as well as a dinosaur moving display . Lots to do and look at plus a cafe that’s about right on price for garden centres . Aquatic shop just next door ,

Best ever for family friends or just on your own, there is something for everyone. You will be well surprised. Also just down the road the aquatics centre, have a look at that, wow the kids will love it, quite and peace full. They will be in wonder.

This is amazing garden centre, it has everything. Christmas at Woodthorpe is great for the whole family. FANASTIC at anytime of the year.

We have visited this restaurant over many years whilst living in Lincolnshire and it’s usually been acceptable. We have now moved away but holidaying in Louth last week my wife who is coeliac was looking forward to a gluten free meal. She settled for the gluten free fish cakes chips and peas. The chips were hard, peas only aired and oh goodness the fish cakes were terrible, they consisted of what I can only describe as fibrous fish, and almost uncooked pieces of veg. The menu claimed to include cheese but it could not be detected at all. My own meal, gammon (not bad) but the chips were hard and sharp, cold peas and the mushrooms and onion rings were omitted, I asked a waiter to rectify this and he took my plate away, I thought to keep my meal hot but then he came back with 2 plates with mushrooms and onion rings on a separate plate, my meal was almost cold and the mushrooms were soggy and inedible. The lady manager was uninterested and said that they had never had a complaint before, well there are plenty on here so I suggest they take a look and make some improvements, along

After many alterations to the eating areas, they have made it worse not better. I had liver and bacon with no bacon. The liver was tough and sinewy and I couldn't eat it. The chips were tasteless. On complaining, I was told nothing could be done about it and the only thing I could do was to put a complaint in writing. I had to pay in full for a meal I couldn't eat! I am really disappointed with the food and changes as I have been going for years and used to think it was lovely. The management need to listen as many people I know who used to go and love it are saying it's not good anymore.

We go there for a look round and a bite to eat, the food and service is very good . The main eating area has a lot of stained ceiling tiles for over a year or more so can do with them being changed so is a bit of a let down.

We were in the address so called in for a bite to eat. Staff was friendly. We ordered the gammon and oh my goodness what a plate full. Gammon, fried egg or pineapple, chips, peas, tomato, onion rings and mushrooms. My hubby and I was surprised how much we got and it was delicious. We didn't have to wait long either and it was all piping hot.

My husband and myself have been regularly eating at both at the Garden Centre Restaurant AND the main restaurant at the golf course along the the road, for over 14 years... and we have NEVER - I repeat - NEVER had cause to complain! We have held most of our family functions there too. When we were in the garden centre a few weeks ago, one man (who had the choice of beef, pork or lamb for his Sunday lunch) complained because they didn’t have turkey!!!! Some people complain either to get a free meal or because they like the sound of their own voice!! Go and eat there with peace of mind. The staff AND the food ..... all GREAT!!!

Stopped here on Sunday like we do most Sundays. The last couple of Sundays we have had food instead of just tea, coffee and a cake. On both occasions we have had the light bite chicken in batter, which in itself is quite good if it wasnt for the terrible chips, so hard and crispy. Now whether it is because it was 3pm on a Sunday or thats the way the chips generally are I dont know but these were so hard my wife could only eat a couple and I struggled to eat them. Were like they had been heated / reheated numerous times. To be the same on the second occasion leads me to believe its the norm for a Sunday anyway.

great food /terrible dogs all around sorry had to get up and leave all four of us dogs even eating from some tables/ staff patting and stroking dogs/ hope they washed there hands before serving more food TOTALY DISSGUSTING FOR A NICE RESTARAUNT after that great garden centre

We booked a table for four of us for Tuesday evening at 6pm

We stopped here for a look round and some food on our way home from a very poor camping holiday in Mablethorpe. The food was lovely, fairly reasonable priced, good portions, well presented. There is a inside and outside dog friendly seating area. The facilities are excellent. The Garden Centre itself is wonderful. There is a massive choice of goods at realistic prices. There is an excellent play area for the children, with lots of seating for the adults. There is even a maze, which my children and Husband thoroughly enjoyed. You could easily spend at least half a day out with the family at Woodthorpe Garden Centre. The staff were all lovely and very helpful and knowledgeable. This short stop off was the highlight of the weekend. There is the Leisure centre over the road with even more facilities, and camping, where we will be staying in the future.

If you go on a sunday it takes ages to give order and get drinks, scones are lovely but if you want a little pot of jam it is a extra 40pence ,surely 20 pence would be plenty.Not impressed.

Woodthorpe is a nice place to stop for a coffee cake or light lunch its often quite busy and you have to cue but that’s not usually a problem. The restaurant is generally clean and I have never been disappointed with what I have bought.

We went to Woodthorpe Garden Centre to look at the conservatory furniture.The set we wanted was no longer available but a very nice man came and chatted to us and helped us choose another.While there we looked at the plants we did buy some but there were so many varieties to choose from made it very hard but again the staff were very helpful.After this gruelling task of spending money we decided we neededrefreshment so off we trotted into the restaurant.We had tea,coffee and toasted tea cakes all delicious and again the staff were helpful and friendly.We will definitely be going there again for more plants and to sample the lovely menu on offer.

Well.... the food and service were an absolute joke. Don't get me wrong the place overall is a nice place to visit, but I would stay away from the cafe. Went here today to have a late lunch with the sister and she came back from ordering our food and drinks looking rather miserable. Apparently the serving staff were rude to a partially deaf customer in front of her, and then they were rude to her. The food that came out was cold and caked in grease. The salad didn't even look remotely fresh. And the tea was barely luke warm. Will not be eating here again, that's for certain.

I visited this restaurant on Bank Holiday Monday and it was heaving with people all wanting lunch. They had a good system for clearing tables quickly and finding seats for so many people. In spite of the sheer volume of people we found a seat quickly and ordered 2 ham salads. The queue at the servery was long but moved fast and our meal came sooner than expected. It was the most magnificent salad I have ever had in a restaurant, even the waitress was impressed.

Heard that the food here is pretty good so stopped for a snack whilst visiting the garden centre just after lunchtime.

Only ordered 2 jacket potatoes with cheese n beans and they charge £1 extra for a table spoon full of beans or cheese on top of the price of the potatoes. Food wasn't bad to be honest but for two potatoes with filling and coffee plus a,Tea just under twenty quid you can get more for your cash at other eateries. The guy behind the Counter who took our order had the personality of a golf ball to be honest and was more interested in telling us we didn't order a tea when we asked were it was to which I know we most certainly did. The lady who fetched our food to the table was very pleasant and good at her job with all customers. Pity this couldn't be said to rest of the staff in the Cafe and Garden Centre too. Been around 2 years since we were here last time but the place lacks Atmosphere​ and Welcoming Effect. Maybe it could be that it was February and dull outside.

My friend and I visited the Garden Centre this week and after a good browse round we decided it was time for lunch. I have visited this venue many times but never eaten here.

Booked on the same day as visiting .

Lovely garden centre has play ground and large maze for the whole family to get yourselves lost in there before enjoying a well earned cuppa and cake. Well behaved dogs on a lead are even allowed in..... could spend a good few hours in there

This restaurant serves good food but again, we were dismayed at the disorganisation both behind the counter and in food prep. When the food comes it is good, but to have snacks, drinks and food orders all being serviced by the same, overworked, person, is farcical.

Went today for Boxing Day sale fab sale stunning pink decs for the Disney tree. Best breakfast we've had in a garden centre ever great staff lovely few hours

My wife and I had Christmas dinner here today. The restaurant was very busy but we had our table (pre booked) within minutes and were dining almost straight away. Lovely turkey dinner with all the trimmings and the staff were absolutely superb, under pressure from the queuing people who hadn't booked.

Woodthorpe has now become our regular venue for my friend and I to have birthday lunches, or, search for that unusual gift or plant. The restaurant can get busy in summer. The food is very good quality at reasonable prices. This time I had the fish chips and mushy peas. The batter was perfectly crispy, my friend had the slow roasted pork balls and she really enjoyed to the extent of clearing her plate.

A very well run place with something for everybody.

A family lunch. We had x2 roast dinner meals, a cottage pie and a meat pie. All meals were hearty and filling. I would recommend them if you want a good value lunch. We finished off with puddings, all were very ample and delicious. We will be returning.

Good food and friendly staff, They have two seating areas in the Restaurant one small area that dogs are allowed and a much larger area which Dogs are not.

Absolutely nothing wrong with the food or price, and staff friendly enough, just didn't realise that I would be eating in the presence of so many dogs. Despite notices asking owners to keep their dogs on the floor, one lady had hers on her lap with its head resting on the table, another was being fed on the floor from the table, and I observed three staff stroking dogs and then serving food, only hope they washed their hands before handling my food.

Went here for Sunday lunch with my family..advisable to book.

Yeah got some nice memories of this place boys and girls. Beautiful garden centre and aquatic warehouse, nice little cafe offering traditional grub at a reasonable price. Inside the cafe is decorated rustic and it fits with the surroundings.

My wife and I regularly visit this garden centre but usually just to buy plants etc.

Bank holiday Sunday and the car park was nearly full though the centre is large enough to make it feel that you are virtually alone. Plant selection is excellent, quality to match and not overpriced. The dinosaurs are great, though grand daughter was thoroughly scared even though she likes dinosaurs. She was at home in the kids play area which is excellent and well laid out. Plenty to amuse the kids while you can have a coffee or more whilst watching them. One of the best centres I have visited in a long time. Didnt get to the fishes., next time. Will definitely go again

Live locally and love the garden centre. The restaurant is expensive and quality is only mediocre so we never have more than a coffee. Could do better! Best advice is to use the other restaurant on the complex- Woody's.

We visited this garden centre for the first time this year and we're really impressed with what we saw, friendly staff and plenty to do for all of us, we had a good look around the garden centre before taking our children to Dinothorpe inside the garden centre, it was nothing like what we had seen before and we're really impressed with how realistic the dinosaurs were, after finally getting our children out of there we went to the outdoor play park, there we had a drink while our kids let of plenty of steam running around and bouncing on the trampolines there before we went into the maze. This garden centre is well worth a visit for any Family that wants something else to do, we will definitely return next summer hoping for the same good time like this year.

Always enjoy our visit here. Lots of great plants and ideas for gardeners. Plus lots of extra goods like pets stuff. Furniture. Clothes. And gift ideas. Too many to mention. Great outdoor area for young kids too. Just one niggle about the restaurant though. Only one till and ordering with just one member of staff doing drinks. Food and everything. So you have to queue for a long time. It's too much for one person alone. It needs a separate area for people just wanting a drink or cake. Or someone else to help at till point. Otherwise food good and you can choose to eat outside if children playing in play area. Will still return many times as always plenty to look at.

Yes I know this is a gardening centre and as a kid I shuddered when my parents announced an outing to the garden centre for a Sunday afternoon, but this is different.

The restaurant was rather untidy and the tables needed clearing. The staff need more training to look after their customers. They can be rather rude at times. The food was only warm instead of hot. They had forgotten to book our table so we had to manage with what was available, even though one of our party was in a wheel chair. The company also own Woodies restaurant on the caravan site. Go there it is great.

Visit: Afternoon tea late June 2016.

What a great garden centre for kids! Great moving, talking dinosaurs, a great maze and a great outside play area with slides, ride ons and a sand pit. Would highly recommend and visit again!

went for sunday lunch what a let down that was ,pre sliced meat in hot water was being served ,as woodys across the rd is owned by same people ,keep in your car and go there give woodthorpe a wide berth its rubbish

My daughter and I visited the garden centre and cafe on Monday. We both had a lovely lunch. The price was very reasonable with large portions and presented very nicely. The service was very good, polite, speedy and with a cheerful smile. We will definitely be back!!?

My dads beef pie contained tough, unappetising meat products and the accompanying cabbage was too undercooked to cut with his sadly blunt knife. His mash was watery, our tea was dishwaterish and my own toasted tea cake, whilst warm and tasty, was meanly provided with just two squares of butter, which barely scraped over the surface. Fetch your own cutlery, napkins, order your food at the counter and though our food service was prompt, it was unsmiling and brusque. We don't need to come back. The tea alone was £1.70 a cup! Lol.

A standard set up for a garden centre, pretty much like dozens of others we have visited, but I must say that the food was not. It was very nice. Nothing fancy, just your standard menu, but all cooked very well and served by friendly staff. They are dog friendly as well. If I have one negative comment it would be that the tables are too close together and make it difficult to get in and out and sit comfortably. The chairs are very heavy too, as we noticed several old people struggle with them. Oops that two things.

19 dined here 11th March 2016...as we are a luncheon club eating out one a month roughly....the service and food was delicious, we all said...we couldn't fault it....

this garden centre is definitely worth a visit it has thousands of plants and Accessories for the garden and home . it has expanded so much since our last visit to look at everything you need a full day prices are reasonable too staff very helpful a very clean and tidy place to visit on any day as all undercover now. they even have a dino centre to entertain the kids very good even for us adults, café looks very nice although I did not have anything today.

When you finally get it, the food here is very good and generous in proportion. However, the service counter seriously needs a rethink as there is no room for people who just want a drink to avoid the slow queue for lunches. The staff are very helpful and willing but struggle to take orders and make drinks.

Came for a family lunch just before Xmas. We've been many times and been very happy, but on the 20th Dec. it was appalling. We ordered poached salmon, and when it came it was cold, sent back...whilst we waited we had amply opportunity to see just what was happening at the servery, it was set up as a carvery, but what a shambles. A girl was obviously very inexperienced trying to put sliced turkey or beef on plates, it came to her ready carved, and was sloshed(the only description) into vats of murky gravy? She then carefully threw it on to plates, some did go on the plates, but some went on the tray, on the servery etc.