Wyevale in Bedford

I’ve been coming to Poddington Garden Centre for over 25 years and remember it fondly as a family-run business with knowledgable staff and a massive range of high quality plants. It’s a bit of a drive to get there for me, but it used to be worth it, as Poddington stood out then, as the premier local garden centre. Sadly it has declined massively no longer deserves that title. The range and quality of the plants and other gardening items have reduced significantly. The inside section seems to have mostly been switched to selling budget items and loads of groceries. It was like a mini B & M homestore. The indoor plants section is a shadow of its former self, in terms of range of plants and quality. I guess it’s handy for the locals and does sell a lot of stuff, but I won’t be coming again.

Decided to visit the garden centre. Whilst there the coffee shop looked inviting so we decided on breakfast. There were 3 in our party, we all had the watering can breakfast, plus drinks. All came out together and looked very nice until we asked the waitress for another butter each for our toast, to which she replied we charge extra for another butter. So having spent all that money on 3 big breakfasts and drinks they wouldn't give another butter. Pretty poor show after that amount of money. Spoilt what otherwise was a great breakfast

Like to pop in with the dog for coffee and breakfast.not bad somewhere where the dog is catered for aswell

Visited many times love the selection of plants staff extremely helpful . Visited with two dogs and are made very welcome . Cafe is OK a bit on the expensive side but OK for a treat. Only problem the seating area for dogs is closed at moment cause of covid so had to sit outside in middle of a gale blowing so won't go back till we can sit inside now colder weather coming would be better to dedicate a area for dog owners.

Used to be a wonderful garden centre when it was family owned. Always a treat to visit. Staff were always busy with their plants and always had time to talk and advise. It was quite unique. Hadnt been for a while as it started going downhill with wye vale. Today i was amazed, is it a DIY store or a cut price supermarket? It has absolutely nothing going for it and a three quarter empty car park confirmed that. Didnt help to have an unhelpful lady on the till who was verging on the rude to another customer. Didnt use the cafe, not even sure it was open. Very sad.

I always visited Paddington garden centre and have for years it was immaculate in every respect ,but when Wyevale bought it ,it gradually went downhill.Previously it was immaculate and the plants in first class condition,the staff were like family and were always ready to give advice it’s the same old story when it is family run for Years and successful then a multi national co takes over it loses its heart and soul and it soon begins to deteriorate.So sad the years that family put sweat and tears into the business and in the blink of an eye it is lost . How sad .

This used to be a lovely place to visit at Christmas. How disappointing now that it has been taken over by Cherry Lane. Awful atmosphere, just felt like a mixed-up discount store, really not worth leaving town for. Only had a drink in the café, but menu looked pretty basic - although prices seemed reasonable. We had expected the car park and the café to be heaving, as they always used to be at this time of the year, but the fact that they were both pretty much deserted says it all! Will not be going there again.

We have visited Podington Garden Centre Restaurant on a number of occasions (before it changed its name to Cherry Lane) and were always very pleased with our meals. But last week when we called in we were so disappointed. I ordered a jacket potato with prawns and when it finally arrived the potato was awful. It had obviously been cooked awhile and looked as if it had been microwaved. The skin was black and peeling off and the potato was cold and solid. My husband ordered a pot of tea and by the time his Ploughman’s arrived, the tea was stone cold. Will never go there again plus the fact that it’s looking less like a garden centre and more like a mini supermarket.

Went to see want this garden centre would be like since cherry Tree have taken it over from wyevale. Although it is undergoing some halterations there is a nice atmosphere . We only had a cup of tea put menu looks good and fare prices but no all day breakfast so a bit disappointing . Be better to go after Xmas as most of area is taken up with Xmas decorations. Staff seems helpful and friendly also nice you can take dogs in even have a special area in café for dogs. Prices are very reasonable and in some cases cheaper than other shops will definitely be using them in spring to get plants

Went to see what Cherry Lane had done to the Garden Centre having just taken it over. What a waste of time and petrol, it was crap. Was more like an indoor Car Boot sale, full of tat. Will never set foot inside the door again. It was a shame, as it was one of my favourite garden centre's.

The selection of plants has really gone down hill since Wyevale took over, and what they have got are really expensive, compared to other garden centres. Two display units were completely empty & some others half empty, not very inviting. Podington used to have a display of bee friendly plants which used to look lovely, that seems to have disappeared, shall be going elsewhere.

My closest Wyevale Garden Centre has closed (discovered after a wasted trip to Crowland last week) and so decided to take the 70 mile round trip to spend my last vouchers. I wished I had not bothered. I did find some geraniums which I bought but many plants were either dead or in severe need of water. As there are so many good garden centres near to Peterborough, I will not be visiting again.

This garden centre is a bit out of the way but it is well worth a visit. Although it’s not too large they have a good selection of items and plants and a good restaurant. The staff are helpful and obliging.

Called in for lunch, was busy but service was quick and friendly, good food and drink, restaurant was clean and tidy

Lovely little cafe Good selection of food and lots of different Gluten free options. Staff always happy and service is good. Planning on an afternoon tea soon as it looks so nice.

£16 for 2. Lovely fresh sandwiches. Refills for our coffee.Huge wholemeal scones with fruit.No problem to change our jam flavour as we are not keen on strawberry. A lovely way to spend a damp November Monday

Had a lovely visit last weekend the staff here are welcoming, polite and very helpful. They have a lovely range of products. we have had food and drink in there cafe and the service and food is excellent we are looking forward to our next visit.

This is the nearest garden centre to me and I have used it monthly for the last four years

Visited with my niece and brother. Lots for my niece to keep herself busy (4yr), colouring pages, crayons, toys etc while we enjoyed a lovely latte and slice of cake. They also provided a good selection of food for children, healthy options and lots to pick. Around lovely treat out

Popped in last Saturday around 11 am and couldn't believe how busy it was in the restaurant area .

Looking at some of the reviews I was unsure of what to expect on our visit to Santa. We had been to see him here before but that was a few years ago with our granddaughter. We weren’t disappointed.

As a carer I took a young client to vist ,there wax plenty of room for her wheelchair to be pushed.We went for lunch and she wanted a festive meal,She is on a pureed diet but was insistent that is what she want ,I asked if it was possible to liqiuedise it ,the young lady went to find out ,she csme back and said she would do it for her.A few minutes later a full festive meal arrived along with a gravy boat for extra moisture.My young client enjoyed every kast mouth full.So thank you kitchen staff .Top marks for caring ..

This used to be a fabulous independent garden centre. Shamefully, it is now in the hands of the Wyevale chain who appear to care less and less about how they tear apart perfectly good businesses in order to plaster them in their corporate (generic!) “style” and destroy any sense of how to do good business.

We just called in for a couple of things, and as it was lunchtime, decided to see what was on offer in the restaurant. The Soup Of The Day looked good, but then we spotted ‘Soup Sharing Platter’ – so we tried that. This turned out to be a great decision – two big bowls of tasty soup, a generous portion of delicious potato wedges, lots of chunky bread, a couple of homemade cheese scones, and a fresh goats cheese salad. All eaten on the decking by the waterfall with the fish for entertainment. Great serving staff too – helpful and cheerful.

After our last visit a year ago we decided to go back. What a good surprise,a new menu, different layout.We asked for afternoon tea,when it came the sandwiches were fresh the scones warm and plenty of jam and cream.A great improvement ,well done all at poddington.

I've visited Paddington Garden Centre for the past 20 years. It was a "plantsman's" garden centre, with a large variety of plants unlikely to be found anywhere else locally. I recall receiving information to say that Wyevale would be talking over, but not to worry, it would still be as good as before.

When independent, this was an excellent garden centre with quality plants at reasonable prices, and always helpful staff. Since being bought out by a chain it has sadly declined in quality and is much more expensive. The restaurant is poor, which I have found in other branches of Wyevale also. I'd like to think the management of this chain would take it up a few notches if they listen to their customers, as I know from my gardening friends I am not alone in my views.

This used to be an unbeatable independent garden centre; now been sold off to the Wyevale monster which is rapidly monopolising the industry. I'm led to believe that the chain is run by a venture capitalist management group, rather than by people who care a jot about gardening.

Well stocked garden centre with a good variety of items for sale (not just garden stuff) and a decent restaurant. Join the Garden Club and you can collect points and get money off/discount vouchers, which come in useful, and you can manage your account on-line.

I came in on March 13th thinking 'my first visit of the year'. I came out thinking 'my last visit of the year'. My intention was to buy gifts, petfood and plants, then to have a snack in the cafe. The awful pop music was so loud I had to go straight outside to escape it and to just look at the plants there, I bought a couple of plants and had to leave - the noise was so pervasive and unbearable. The standards of the Garden Centre have certainly declined since Wyevale took over, but this was intolerable.You've just lost a customer.

Went with wife and 10yr old on a Saturday lunch time, not very busy, all had toasted sandwiches and a drink, £20 later, and 20 minutes later still waiting. Went up to counter to see where our sandwiches were and we had been totally forgotten so had to re-order, I was offered a free tea to compensate but my teapot was just refilled with water, no new tea bag, milk or mug! Not really good enough, food very mediocre, not warm when served, which you would expect from a toastie!

This used to be called 'Poddington Garden Centre', but has now been taken over by Wyevale. Shame really but the place has and is trying to keep its reputation by being a little more intimate and different to the usual Wyevale's of this world. Perhaps the biggest range of indoor and outdoor plants and shrubs etc,, you could find in any centre. A very large area dealing with all hard landscaping requirements and there is also plenty of assorted gifts, and aquatic goods inside. A large restaurant serving a variety of hot/cold dishes and snacks, (maybe not so good as it was before Wyevale took over), but never-the-less good.

Had a breakfast yesterday morning. Looking forward to a nice breakfast out. However could not believe the price, £1.00 for 1 rasher of bacon, £1.00 for fried egg, £1.00 for tiny hash brown, £1.00 for half a tomato, £1.00 for one mushroom that looked and tasted as if it had been cooked 4 hours before and 80p for a slice of toast. Too many staff not doing anything. Will not be going back and will not recommend it.

Podington Garden Centre changed hands a couple of years ago, and it's now owned by the Wyeval Group. Most of the resulting changes have been welcome and they have expanded the eating area, have more covers plus the menu has changed to conform with Wyvale offerings. The food and drink is actually ok and quite tasty, but unfortunately I find the staff less so, but it wouldn't take much to fix it. They're quite disorganised. A bit of training on smiling and engaging with people wouldn't go amiss, either, as they rarely look customers in the face, and we have experienced several mistakes over the last few visits. Staff stand about behind the counter and ignore us. I've noticed the team there are very young: should they have someone more mature,either in years or attitude, out front to notice these things? Doesn't seem to have anyone in authority about to fix this on the job. We'll continue to eat there, but not as often as we could, unless they send their staff to charm school. :-)

Enjoyed our visit yesterday. Big selection of plants and ideal for 1st time gardener's with their 'mini idea' gardens for you to be inspired by. Lots of gifts/items for you to look at when wandering around inside. We visited the cafe which I thought was pleasant. We only had drinks but they were very enjoyable to have outside next to the water pond. Though the prices are quite steep, £3 for a standard latte.

Went to wyevale podington on sat 23/7/16,decided to have a snack first.The first two items we asked for were out of stock so settled on third choice.Although the restaurant was empty it took twenty minutes to get our food all a bit third rate.Later we went for a look round the plants etc,even that was a bit tired looking.Come on Podington you are better than this.

What a mess the outside area is since becoming Wyevale. The weeds have been taller than my 8 year old grandson ! I if cut the droppings are left on the path. The public pathway is at times littered with rubbish from the cafe back door entrance and the smells are disgusting. There is an unsightly rubbish store gathering more and more rubbish. What is happening ? This was pre wyevale such a lovely garden centre and always immaculate with a gardener constantly attending to the front / side and outside areas

Totally disappointed with our visit today,we had egg ham and chips not bad, ham toastie just tasteles just like hot bread with a filling way over priced,bacon sandwich quality of bacon poor,pancake stack good the £26 was justified by them alone will not be going back.The garden centre lacked the magic it used to have the staff also need just to smile bit more and acknowledge the public.Maybe we visited on a bad day Monday 12.20 will try again in a year or so

Well, having no children for the afternoon, I thought I would treat me and my wife to afternoon tea, I remembered how fabulous it was pre Wyvale. Now, you used to get a wide selection of sandwiches (nice triangles) a delicious scone with jam and clotted cream and a decent selection of proper cakes.

all the dishes are dirty, had to ask for clean cups after being given 'clean' cups and the plates for cakes were filthy but the cakes were okay, and the toasty was quite nice too.

It was always a treat to have a garden centre visit, buy plants and have lunch out. but up to date this is my TENTH visit since Wyevale took over, and my goodness things have changed expensive or what, staff so uninterested. and as for the food disgraceful , My partner and I had toasted sandwiches, salad, coleslaw and chips. should have been a nice snack, but the sandwiches very bland the coleslaw tasteless and as for the salad garnish some wilted leaves only very poor plus a few chips not even a portion.. cost well over £7 looking around people were all talking about the standard of food and how it had gone down hill thumbs down to this garden centre that was once the best in the area

Since becoming Wyvale the garden centre has undergone a few changes. Sadly the prices have gone up. Not just in the cafe but in the garden centre too. The choice of plants on the day I visited was quite limited too. Hopefully this is just a teething problem?

Before this garden centre was taken over,about a year ago,it was a pleasure to shop here.Now the place looks a mess,the outside garden looked tired and bare as did the inside.The shelves had large gaps and the staff looked really miserable.The restaurant was fairly busy but we did not eat.......it all could have been worse, the local residents could have had a housing estate on this plot instead.They should hope that this place picks its game up otherwise it may still happen.....poor!

We were really disappointed at the cost of food! Nearly £5 for a toasted sandwich! Had it have been on some nice bread instead of thin under toasted plain bread then we wouldn't have minded the cost! The cafe had 6 people in at 11.45 which was a shock as it used to be very busy! Poor variety & a 30mins wait. The whole garden centre was bare!

Popped in here for a quick snack as I was passing but certainly wasn't quick.