Stephens House & Gardens Reviews Summary

Grounds and Gardens

Pros:

• "Beautiful well kept garden."
• "Recently got lottery funding for much needed tree restoration and garden work."
• "The venue is absolutely stunning as were the grounds."
• "A wonderful park where there are always people enjoying the beauty, the walks and flora."
• "Very nice tranquil garden in the midst of a busy London suburb."
• "Beautiful venue, on stunning grounds."
• "Love this park. We come here all the time. Gorgeous grounds, pond, playground, cafe, and the House itself."

Cons:

• "The grounds manager was very rude and abrupt saying it was private land."
• "It then makes it feel chaotic and not as peaceful as it was."
• "Shame no one seems to be tending to the pond or the poor fish being smothered in algae and rubbish."
• "The House would do with a renovation."
• "It may be just a timing thing but it seems more and more dogs are being exercised there right outside the children's play area."
• "This is a beautiful park but has started to have too many dog owners use it for exercising their dogs."
• "Beware the rats in the bush around the pond!"

Staff and Service

Pros:

• "Malcolm and Tracey and Christine and the girls doing the service were so accommodating, and nice and helpful."
• "Great cafe with lovely service. Fun, friendly playground."
• "Staff were so welcoming, kind and just so lovely too."
• "The staff are professional and absolutely lovely."
• "Our entire experience from start to end with Stephens House was exceptional."
• "The staff are very kind and lovely to talk to!"
• "Staff are extremely kind and caring."

Cons:

• "What a charming individual! Scaring young children and trying to intimidate women on their own, speaking to them like dirt."
• "Unfortunately a couple of members of staff are extremely rude, and shout at you if a wedding is going on."
• "The park is wonderful the 'general manager' is nothing short of a horrendous dictator!"
• "Unfortunately, not soon after arriving we were confronted by the General Manager and his rude and obnoxious behaviour."
• "The Management of Avenue House took great exception to my grandson and son playing on the green and banned the children from playing with the ball."
• "Look how they deal with negative reviews. That will tell you a LOT about how they will deal with you when there is a problem at their venue."

Cafe and Food

Pros:

• "The cafe is a refurbished stables with a very genuine feel to it."
• "They have made a real effort. Socially distanced seating and very organised and friendly cafe."
• "Super Sunday Lunch today at Stephens House and Gardens, delicious roast with all the trimmings."
• "Some of the cakes are really tasty."
• "The food was also very delicious."
• "The caffee serves decent food."
• "The Cafe is run by a gentleman who really loves his job, in the best place in London he says. The almond croissants and his coffee is superior."

Cons:

• "What's not to be expected is central London prices for a jacket potato."
• "The only thing is it closes early at 6pm."
• "What kind of opening hours is 10-2? Covid or not, what nonsense."
• "The food isn't great in the cafe but that's to be expected."
• "Oddly, they built toilets and a cafe at the children's playground then decided not to open either."
• "I would appreciate it more if the opening times would be till 8-9pm, they close at 6pm."

Events and Activities

Pros:

• "Fantastic evening on Friday 28th 'Sounds after dark' Halloween theme."
• "They regularly hold events on weekends."
• "Variety of theatre shows and concerts etc held on its grounds - ticket purchase required."
• "Organisers run a decent variety of seasonal events."
• "Amazing children's grief charity, Grief Encounter, located on-site."
• "Stephens gardens have a medieval aura, and for a good reason: they trace their origins to the 13th century, when the land was given to the Knights Templar."

Cons:

• "However the Christmas lights event was a big disappointment. Looked like they purchased the decorations from a pound shop."
• "However my visit was spoilt by the path round the pond being used as a race track by children on scooters twice nearly running into me."

Facilities and Amenities

Pros:

• "There is a great little café and good toilets and change facilities for babies."
• "The ability to use the TV for streaming of photos, along with playing music was an added bonus."
• "A cafe and toilets are also on site."
• "The cafe does a nice banana cake and also has clean loos."
• "Very well signposted for disabled patrons."
• "So much space for the children to explore, space to relax and look at the fish and there is even a little cafe near the main entrance."

Cons:

• "...but just leave when they ring the bell or you will be locked inside until next day."