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DOBBIES SWINDON GARDEN CENTRE

SUMMARY INFORMATION

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: 2 star 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: 2 star 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: 2.5 star rating

VALUE FOR MONEY OVERALL: 2.5 star rating

 

OPENING HOURS SWINDON GARDEN CENTRE

  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

 
EASTER OPENING TIMES


Good Friday - 9.00am to 6.00pm
Easter Saturday -9.00am to 6.00pm
Easter Sunday - CLOSED
Easter Monday - 9.00am to 6.00pm

CHRISTMAS OPENING TIMES


Christmas Eve - 10.30am to 4.30pm
Christmas Day - CLOSED
Boxing Day - CLOSED
New Year's Eve - 10.30am to 4.30pm
New Year's Day - CLOSED

BANK HOLIDAY OPENING TIMES

Bank Holiday Mondays:
Open 9.00am to 4.30pm
 

BACKGROUND TO SWINDON GARDEN CENTRE

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
Entrance to Dobbies Swindon Garden Centre (June 2023)

CAFE AT DOBBIES SWINDON

SIZE: Medium sized

FOOD TYPE: Garden centre type of food with everything from coffees to main meals and breakfasts.

FOOD QUALITY: 3 stars 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: 2 stars Poor, the cafe area was very tired looking and many of the seats were unclean.

OUTDOOR SEATING: 2 stars There is a very narrow and unattractive outdoor seating area which has no cover or sun protection.

SERVICE: 3.5 stars 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: 2.5 stars All in all, this is definitely not one of our favourite cafes but the food was acceptable.

CAFE FOOD HYGEINE RATING

The cafe was awarded a Food Hygiene Rating of five out of five by Swindon Borough Council in December 2022. Click here for full details.

Scores on the Doors Rating 5

PLANTS AT DOBBIES SWINDON GARDEN CENTRE

SIZE OF PLANTS AREA: Medium sized plants area.

PLANT SELECTION: 2 star rating 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
Partially empty plant bays in early June

LAYOUT: 1.5 stars 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:: 2.5 starsThe cheapest rose we could find was £17, and prices were generally slightly higher than average.

INTERIOR SALES AT DOBBIES SWINDON GARDEN CENTRE

SIZE: Medium sized interior sales area.

LAYOUT: 2 stars 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: 2.5 stars Slightly below average value for money.

Garden furniture sales link picture

DISABLED ACCESS AT DOBBIES SWINDON GARDEN CENTRE

ACCESS: 5 star rating Excellent.

CONTACT DETAILS FOR DOBBIES SWINDON GARDEN CENTRE

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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