Batsford Arboretum and Garden Centre Reviews Summary

Accessibility

Pros:

• "We found the wheelchair access is a long way around and could be easier but it is there."
• "We managed to push a wheelchair around the whole site, just about managing the hills."
• "Quite hilly if one is not too mobile but has gentle parts with tarmac paths."
• "It has a few different paths to walk along - not all are wheelchair accessible but the main paths are."
• "Easy parking and wheelchair access."
• "All areas are accessible and has disabled facilities."
• "Mostly pushchair friendly- even in the red routes- and dog friendly."

Cons:

• "Not designed for disabled users as only one path accessible."
• "As a disabled person it was not disabled friendly."
• "Not so much suited to the handicapped as some - it is steeply hilly in places and only the main drive is easily usable by mobility scooter."
• "The cafe then had close seating which in Covid times is risky."

Staff and Service

Pros:

• "The staff and owners have done a fantastic job with the grounds."
• "Superb service."
• "You have some very wonderful members of staff who were cheerful, and helpful."
• "The ladies in the visitors centre went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and to turn our day around."
• "The staff were so helpful and polite making the day out a really pleasurable experience."
• "Friendly and welcoming staff."
• "The staff were very nice and helpful would recommend a visit."

Cons:

• "Nice place but me and my husband were shouted at across the courtyard from a rude member of staff."
• "The whole experience was marred, however, by the insulting woman at the ticket office."
• "Poor attitude towards members of partner attractions."
• "The young staff serving need to be taught a bit about customer service, they were rushing around and not listening."
• "This experience was completely ruined, with no apology from staff. We certainly won't be returning for a while."
• "However this latest visit was spoilt by the officious attitude of the picnic police."
• "These little things did lower our mood and our enjoinment of the day, and all down to staff..."

Cafe and Food

Pros:

• "Great cafe for lunch with generous indoor and outdoor space and options for gluten and dairy free."
• "The cafe has a glorious terrace and the food looked gorgeous and interesting."
• "Very nice cake in the cafe too."
• "Scrumptious fresh food and all homecooked."
• "Nice cafe attached with a nice outside sitting area. Great cakes and coffee."
• "The restaurant supplied a good range of both hot and cold meals."
• "The cafe serves good food and a decent garden centre."

Cons:

• "Very disappointed with our visit today! We would of like to have eaten in the cafe, however having arrived at the counter at 11:30am, getting served a few minutes later to be told no breakfast was available, as lunch would be at 12."
• "Not convinced the food lives up to the billing, don't need such a fussy menu sometimes just good plain food is all that is needed, quite expensive for what you get."
• "We queued for 40min to get a coffee in the cafe."
• "Tasteless food, higher than London prices."
• "Our food came out fairly quickly, three burgers (two barely warm and a third cold) were tasty but the temperature of them concerning."
• "Prices were at the top side of expensive. £22 for 3 coffees and 2 cakes."
• "The panini's in the cafe however are very poor.. cheap quality bread and just cooked for long enough."

Facilities and Environment

Pros:

• "Excellent day out enjoying the views and beautiful Autumn colours."
• "The arboretum is just spectacular, definitely worth the entrance fee, money well spent."
• "This is a lovely place at any time of the year."
• "Lovely park and woodland with lots of interesting different trees."
• "The gardens were extensive and so peaceful."
• "Good setup for social distancing, with tables for picnics on the grassy area by the carpark."
• "Beautiful gardens with stunning colours of these gorgeous trees."

Cons:

• "THIS IS NOT A DOG FRIENDLY PLACE, unless you are happy to keep him/her on a short lead for the whole of your visit."
• "Nice enough but lacked specific areas of interest eg a copse with fountains or statues."
• "The queue to buy a ticket was very long."
• "The tea room outside is another matter. It was absolutely full of wasps and when you sat down you couldn’t eat your food as you would easily have 10 wasps round your face and food."
• "I just wish some dog owners would clean up after their animals."
• "It gets really busy in autumn."
• "Paid £40 for drinks and food that we had to leave behind."

Pricing and Value

Pros:

• "Comparatively speaking, the arboretum gives Westonbirt a run for its money."
• "It may seems pricey but every penny worth!"
• "Lovely place to visit and very reasonably priced."
• "Also a well stocked garden centre with lots of plants to buy at a reasonable price."
• "Went as a yearly member which is great value."
• "The garden centre has an excellent selection of products and quite reasonable prices."
• "Definitely five stars."

Cons:

• "We didn't visit the Arboretum itself or the adjacent Falconry Centre as we felt they were quite expensive!"
• "Expect to pay extra to take your kids in!!! Not what we were expecting and dealt with very abruptly by supervisory staff."
• "A bit expensive when it is just trees and asked twice about donating 10% or gift aid."
• "Decent entrance fee."
• "There is a fee to get in, or you can buy an annual membership for £70."
• "My only comment would be the price of the cafe, it was pretty extortionate to be honest."
• "Just another cash grab."