CHOOSE GARDEN CENTRES BY COUNTY BELOW
PLANTS AREA: Plant choices limited, an uninspiring design.
See lower down this article for a more comprehensive review of the Dobbies Swindon garden centre plants area.
Plants Area Rating:
INTERIOR SALES AREA: Boring layout, Food Hall is just a Waitrose store
See lower down this article for a more comprehensive review of the Dobbies Swindon garden centre interior sales area.
Interior Sales Area Rating:
CAFE: Poor decor, grubby seats, reasonable food and good service.
See lower down this article for a more comprehensive review of the Dobbies Swindon garden centre cafe.
Cafe Rating:
VALUE FOR MONEY OVERALL:
OPENING HOURS SWINDON GARDEN CENTRE |
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Open | Close | |
Monday | 9.00am | 6.00pm |
Tuesday | 9.00am | 6.00pm |
Wednesday | 9.00am | 6.00pm |
Thursday | 9.00am | 6.00pm |
Friday | 9.00am | 6.00pm |
Saturday | 9.00am | 6.00pm |
Sunday | 10.30am | 4.30pm |
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Dobbies Swindon Garden Centre was originally a smallish nursery. It was bought by Wyevale and converted to a medium to large fully fledged garden centre.
Dobbies then purchased Swindon Garden Centre (the freehold) from Wyevale in April 2019 for £5,750,000.
In November 2022 the building was damaged, caused by a car crash in the car park - see here for more details. The rather sorry state of the entrance can be seen below. Picture taken in June 2023.
Entrance to Dobbies Swindon Garden
Centre (June 2023)
SIZE: Medium sized
FOOD TYPE: Garden centre type of food with everything from coffees to main meals and breakfasts.
FOOD QUALITY: The food quality was good. We sampled the soup of the day and a cheese and tomato toastie. Both were served hot and tasted fine. The presentation of the toastie was rather lacking.
DECOR: Poor, the cafe area was very tired looking and many of the seats were unclean.
OUTDOOR SEATING: There is a very narrow and unattractive outdoor seating area which has no cover or sun protection.
SERVICE: Service was totally to your table. You sit at a table and wait to have your order taken. It is then served to your table.
The man who served us was the best thing about this visit to the garden centre! He was exceptionally prompt at taking the order, delivering it to our table and provided a line in chat which kept us amused!
VALUE FOR MONEY: All in all, this is definitely not one of our favourite cafes but the food was acceptable.
SIZE OF PLANTS AREA: Medium sized plants area.
PLANT SELECTION: We visited in early June on a pleasantly sunny day and were surprised to find that many of the plant bays were empty.
For example we could only find one clematis and there were no potentillas. So be aware that you may not be able to find the plants you want at Dobbies Swindon.
Partially empty plant bays in early June
LAYOUT: Immediately outside the main building is a covered area for tender plants. This leads to the main plants area which is all uncovered. The paths are level, solid and wide enough for easy access. Signage is good.
Very little effort has been put into making the plants area attractive. The regimented rows were plain and boring. The significant noise coming from the major road at the side of this area makes it frankly unpleasant.
VALUE FOR MONEY:: The cheapest rose we could find was £17, and prices were generally slightly higher than average.
SIZE: Medium sized interior sales area.
LAYOUT: Matching the plants area, the interior sales area is also boring in layout. The aisles are flat and wide. Away from the main building are two other buildings. One is advertised as a Food Hall but in reality it is just a small Waitrose shop. There are also Cotton Traders and Pets Corner shops.
VALUE FOR MONEY: Slightly below average value for money.
ACCESS: Excellent.
ADDRESS:
Dobbies Swindon
Hyde Road
Stratton St Margaret
Wiltshire
SN2 7SE
OWNER:
Dobbies Garden Centre, owned by Midlothian Capital and Hattington Capital Holding Company.
TELEPHONE NUMBER:
01793 822 224
EMAIL:
Swindon.Manager@dobbies.com
WEBSITE:
https://www.dobbies.com/swindon
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