Bents Garden and Home Reviews 5,090

Visited for breakfast and what a disappointment, expensive , cheap ingredients and cold , never again

Visited Bents on 6-11-25, I have been visiting for our annual Christmas trip for 25+ years and although I hate saying it, it just didn’t seem as good this year.

Long queues for food and drinks, a long time to wait for those who are frail or have a disability in a queue. I had soup and a sandwich and the cheese was really cheap quality, not what I have come to expect from Bents. You don’t mind paying extra if the quality is there, but this year unfortunately it was not.

The trees and decorations are not as forward thinking as they once were, it was inspiring to go and see the displays, however this year it’s a bit samey, and I have to say no difference in quality from the high street shops we all love, I.e B&M and Home Bargains.

For years you have been the beacon of Christmas as I have to say I’m disappointed this year.

We had a bad experience a few years ago but nothing like today's visit - it was bedlam ... we waited in the sandwich queue for over 90 mins and when we eventually ordered they mislaid my order ... one friend couldn't stay because of the delay so didn't eat - there was an elderly couple in front who were so confused with the awful system they operate. One friend ordered the refillable and went to the toilet when she came back her glass was taken and staff told her she had to pay again. I spoke to the blonde haired Manager who said sorry but it's been busy and she will feedback to the management. Very poor - awful experience!

Ordered baubles online and unfortunately however well there were wrapped and protected during delivery, one box came with broken baubles. I sent an email and Rachel was the one who replied, who very quickly sent out another box to replace the broken ones. Very impressed with the super attentive response from the Customer care team. Thank you! The baubles are also perfect!

I recently went to Bents and although, busy ,all the staff were very pleasant and helpful..Laura,...in particular, took a lot of time and trouble...with the items,that I was buying...

There were things that couldn't be helped that spoiled our visit today....there were things that need addressing.

Firstly, half of the store was closed as they were setting out the Christmas display. That's just bad timing on our part.

Secondly, We decided to have a little treat in the restaurant. It has to be a rare treat because it is expensive. I didn't find much of a vegan selection for lunch so decided just on a vegan meringue. My husband had a plain scone with butter and an espresso.

There were only two people ahead of me in the queue and around 5 or 6 servers behind the counter. They didn't seem to be working together and it took a while to get served. Eventually, I ordered. I was served the scone. The server then went to the other end of the counter and appeared to be cutting and displaying cake. Eventually someone came and asked if I wanted an espresso. I said yes....and a vegan meringue. She gave me the coffee and I continued to wait as it went cold. She then came back and said the meringue would be brought over to the table.

I watched my husband eat the scone for about five minutes. He hardly touched it really because he said it was dry and over baked. A different girl eventually brought the vegan meringue in its components. Dry meringue, tiny bowl of vegan yoghurt and tiny bowl of fruit. Aesthetically, it looked nothing like the photo as it hadn't been arranged. Minor I guess but not at those prices.

Our expensive treat turned out just to be expensive. I forgot to take a photo as I couldn't get out quick enough. It was more the taste that was the problem with the scone anyway.

Bents have a big reputation to keep - or recover, looking at some of these reviews! I reckon we won't bother going back to look at the trees. They seem hyper focused on making cash and little else. They haven't even bothered to reply to these reviews!

I attempted to visit the pet shop cafe today, couldn't get a table anywhere inside so had to sit outside at a wet table. It seems they have now gone to table service only, I told the staff inside I wanted to place an order and was told they would be straight out. After 15 minutes of waiting no one had appeared so I left. I dread to think how long it would have taken for food to arrive if I had managed to place an order. This place was always understaffed as it was and now clearly can't cope with trying to do table service. Bring back letting customers order at the counter and take their own order to the table, definitely a lot quicker. Won't be going back!

My wife and myself have visited Bents often. On a positive there’s lots to look at and we usually come away with clothing and plants. However, we feel is very expensive.
One thing that particularly stands out for us is when ever we order our lunch, it seems to take ages to when we get it. Today seemed to hit a nerve, my wife ordered our lunch and it took just over 45 minutes and 2 visits for my wife back to the food counter, with the assistant saying our order wouldn’t be long. The 2nd visit was 20 minutes. This type of service we find not really good enough.

Came for a hot lunch - 1 person serving- long wait!! Had to queue at a drinks pay point because actual pay point unmanned. A member of staff asked if we were waiting to pay and immediately walked away. No forks. Worst experience ever at Bents

I visited Bents on Thursday and ate at the Tapas bar. The food was excellent, the wine choice superb and the service impeccable.
My friend is now a wheelchair user having been diagnosed with MND.
The staff were so kind and professional and it was wonderful to see my friend enjoy herself in calm surroundings.
Thank you to all the staff.

Just spoke to Lisa at Bents on the phone regarding ferns as my 5 year has been to forest school and wants one in our new garden. Lisa could not of been more helpful first checking they have them then going and checking what types and colours. My partner will be taking him tomorrow to pick he is now very excited.

I ordered from this company’s website only to be told that ‘ Following a full review with our stock control team, it appears the product cannot be retrieved. An error during the intake process likely caused an incorrect stock level to be shown online.’
I ordered a plant with the same nickname as my neighbour’s dog who had recently died. I thought this would be a nice present for them to cheer them up a little but I’ve been left waiting for an item that was never available to buy. They need to have a better stock take system to avoid these types of problems.
Now I have to wait up to 5 days for a refund!

Went on Tuesday. To play crazy golf with our 4 year old granson. Met Shane we asked where it was as I'm wheelchair bound .he was kind and helpful 5 starts

Our original water feature cracked but Will stepped up and sorted it out in a timely fashion keeping us informed at every stage. Will went above and beyond finding the last replacement sending it at the same time as having the faulty one collected.He was always courteous polite and positive.

I took my sister to buy plants for her garden. We spent over £250 between us. The prices were high but the variety was reasonable. My decaf tea and my sisters coffee tasted ok, BUT my carrot cake and my sisters cream scone were a waste of money. My carrot cake was dry and tasteless. It had never been near a carrot and the cream was stiff and overpoweringly sweet. I stopped trying to eat it before i got half way through, my sister persevered longer, but gave up in the end leaving lumps of rubble on her plate. They looked so nice on the counter!

My husband and I took my mother in law for some lunch for her 80th birthday. Disappointed was an understatement. We was kept waiting about 20 mind for 2 coffees. The person had no idea what he was doing our food was stone cold and the price for 2 Jacket potatoes was very expensive for what we had. Basically it ruined our day and her birthday.

I looked up their info on google regarding dogs Bents information says they welcome dogs in their doggy areas and pet cafe .
This was not implemented when we arrived with our dog were
asked politely to leave by a really pleasant security guard.
We are happy to comply with no doggy entrance.
So l would ask Bents to update there sites and advertising to reflect this policy stating no dogs

I bought a beautiful woodland themed throw with deer and foxes on it. It is lovely and soft and very good quality. Feels quite luxurious.
Delivery was quick and on time also with good delivery updates.

Be aware while the car park does not comply with any car parking standards and while there is PTZ domestic cameras located all around the store these are useless and do not cover any of the car parking areas.

Another customer caused extensive damage to my vehicle doors and drove away.

Have vowed never to return to bents.

Great tapas with this new chef. Lovely dishes served fresh and hot and together.
My only criticism is regarding your selection of wine in your tapas fridge. None of them are palatable. I’m trying to work out why you got rid of two lovely wines including ‘Kono’ and ‘V’ both NZ Sauvignon.
We bought a bottle of ‘V’ to have with our meal but was then charged a £10
corkage fee.