Afternoon tea with my sister, we tried to book but couldn't get through on the phone so just turned…read moreup. A little disorganised but one of the girls helped us out, confirmed that we could swap out a tea for a coke for me as I don't drink hot drinks. The selection was OK, but it could have been a selection from a range and it would have been nice if the comfy seating area was reserved for the high tea. Other than that it was nice, the sun was out and the bright airy room was pleasant to sit in, the food was tasty and the crustless sandwiches were fresh.

Even if you're not a keen gardener, Dobbies is a great shop…read more Obviously, they mainly sell plants, but they're offering is actually very large and covers everything from artificial, indoor, conservatory, outdoor.... There's a maze outside to keep the nippers, old or young happy and there's a very large coffee area. (try one of their scones - yum yum). At the other side of the shop there's a dedicated deli area that offers all sorts of cooked meats, antipasta, breads, oils and chutneys. (Note, they're steak pies are one of the best i've had) Christmas time at Dobbies is great too. (though my husband has now banned me from going !?) Fabulous decorations for all tastes and I think they have a sanata's grotto too.

Still in it's infancy, this garden centre although slowly expanding with the usual items required…read morefor gardening, plus summer houses, sheds, hot tubs etc. has a gem in it's coffee shop, the food is excellent, and appears to be all home made, you'll never wait any longer than a couple of minutes to be served as there are plenty of obliging, pleasant, staff. and as as far I could make out the dearest item on the menu was around £4.50p., and a plate of home made soup (2 choices) was only £1.95. It would appear to be a big favourite with those of local knowledge, and is ideally situated for passing trade. The M8 motorway is two minutes away, so for those on a journey and in need of a break - a much better option than the motorway stops. Highly Recommended.

I'm not a huge fan of gardening.Browsing the shelves for some nice chrysanthemum's isn't really my…read morebag at all, so I wasn't too enthralled by the suggestion of a trip to Greenside in Newarthill. If you have read any of my previous reviews, you might realise that there is one constant in my life that I do like. No, make that Love. And that constant is cake. I'm not a fussy cake eater; I like chocolate, sponge, cream, cheese, apple, caramel, empire, anything along those lines, really. So when I clapped eyes on the cafe in the centre I was more than pleasantly surprised by the cake selection. They have a really large cafe, almost as big as the garden centre section, which does a range of hot meals, light lunches, soups and drinks, as well as the aforementioned cakes. We took a seat, had a flick through the menu, and went up to the counter to order. I decided on some lentil soup and a roll, which was really good. It was home made too, something which the cafe prides itself on. My mum had a cheese and pineapple toastie, which looked dynamite, it was oozing cheese and had a big salad and crisps along side it. Her silence seemed to signify that she enjoyed it. Then it was cake time. My mum is a top class cake maker, and my dad is a baker by profession, so I come from a good stock of bun mixers. I haven't found my passion for baking yet, but I'm sure when I do, I'll be a natural. My mum actually got her banoffee pie recipe from the woman who runs this cafe, after tasting a slice one lunchtime. My mum's banoffee pie is renowned amongst friends and family as the best desert, ever! We went up to the cake counter and perused the fine display of goodies. They have loads, from wee mini trifles to millionaire's shortbread, and carrot cake. They have different cakes on every day, which keeps you guessing what the next delight will be! I went for the mandarin cheesecake, and came away with a huge lump for just over £1.50! It was absolutely, dribbling-into-a-napkin worthy of some coveted cheesecake prize. The base was crumbly and buttery, the cheesecake itself was thick and creamy, laced with orangey bits, and the jelly like topping was packed full of little mandarin segments, bursting with juice. It really was amazing. This place is not just restricted to lunch. They also have plants, and all the gardeny stuff a garden centre usually has. Located within the unit is a beauticians, which is a nice touch, and a kids soft play area, brilliant to chuck the kiddies in if you fancy a cuppa in peace. There is also a little gift section, selling candles and crockery, cards and china. It's all pretty expensive, but nice and unique for a birthday gift. My mum tells me that the plants she's bought from here have never failed her, and she wouldn't buy them from anywhere else. And my mum knows her plants. Recommended! It's a lovely wee afternoon out and really not as boring as some garden centres tend to be!

Lovely cafe. Located on the road in law Scotland. The cafe is part of a huge feed pottery and…read moreclothing center all with the same name. Lots of stuff to buy and look at through this massive place. We stopped in for tea and dessert you order at a counter and they bring you the food very clean and newer chairs tables and silverware. It is a bit pricey however. A standard eggs bacon potatoes and bread type breakfast is $16 + price wise. But, it's well worth the look!

I love this garden centre in heart of Clyde valley. The gift shop always has lots of interesting…read moregift ideas and the tearoom sells the best homemade cakes I've over tasted. Worth a drive to sample!

I seem to find myself in garden centres more often than I ever could have imagined these days!…read more This Caulders is very local to me, so I often find myself here. Turns out garden centres are a good place to go if you have little ones whatever the weather. On good days the little ones love to potter around the outdoor section looking at the garden ornaments and puddling in the water features... On rainy days there is plenty in the shop inside to entertain, not to mention the treats on offer from the cafe. The cafe/restaurant in this Caulders is excellent with a great selection of homemade food, from delicious soups and sandwiches, wraps, paninins, and baked potatoes to tasty hearty mains. There is also a great selection of scones, tray bakes, and desserts. Anything I have ordered from the restaurant here has been really tasty, and the staff are always friendly and helpful! The garden section has a good selection of plants, trees, and gardening materials to choose from, and the staff are always willing to help if you have any questions... We bought our Christmas tree here last year, and will do again this year (not long now)! The shop inside has a good selection of children's toys and books, some fresh foods, a good gift section, and some clothing. This is a lovely welcoming garden centre with a little bit of everything to keep everyone happy!

One of the hidden attractions just outside Edinburgh is the labour of love run by Liberty and…read moreHamish Martin called The Secret Herb Garden. This idyllic venture lies 6 miles south of the city centre and allows the owners to share their enjoyment of herbs along with home produced food and drink, vintage furniture and candles made from the wax produced by the on-site apiary. Entry to the garden is free of charge, however, it is difficult not to spend money with a huge array of herbs for sale - I never realised how many types of mint existed until they were lined up, each with their own particular fragrance or taste. You'll also find it hard to resist spending some time in the cafe with a selection of cakes and scones as well as a very enjoyable lunch dish of Sweet Corn Quiche and Hand Picked Flower Salad. When you have finished lunch head beyond the glass-house and take a look at the apiary where you can see inside a working bee-hive; the medicinal garden and some innovative plant pots, including a Volkswagen Beetle that has herbs growing from its boot and bonnet. If you are looking for something a little different in easy travelling distance from Scotland's capital city then The Secret Herb Garden is a great choice.

The Secret Herb Garden is exactly what the name suggests; a hidden wonderland of herby goodness. If…read moreyou're a foodie looking for that special all-natural flavour or looking for a particular medicinal herb, then I've no doubt that SHG is just what you're after. I liked that all the herb labels shared a suggested use or some properties of the plant. For example, certain plants would make for a nourishing bath soak, and others, just perfect for an edible cake decoration. Secret Herb Garden, I do appreciate your passion for plant power! We were welcomed by a HUGE pregnant pig bathing in the hot spring sun. Aside from wanting to be that glorious pig, I thought it was just really nice that there's a big-ass pig just chilling up front. We said hello with a friendly stroke behind the ear, before heading into herby heaven. Boy, oh, boy! - There's so much. To express, just how much, I'll tell you that I was completely overwhelmed by all the variants of mint. You'd be a fool, like I was, to think that mint, as a herb, was constrained to the pepper and spear varieties. No, no, no! Just go have a gander at the impressive mint selection at the Secret Herb Garden. It's seriously impressive. - Mint! There's greenhouses adorned with herb after herb, with the occasional couch perched in amongst the madness of plants. There's also a café and a little shop selling beeswax, foraging books and other quirky goodies. You can sign up for meditation classes too. It's twee, and special in its very own way. Service is casual, and tables are dotted around the place, so your order may take a tad longer to find its way to you. Our table was a teeny bit rickety but we were grateful to have found a spot out front where our pooch could chill with us. (Dogs out front only!) I got a latte. Of course, it had a little heart in the foam. - A smile-inducer if every there was one. We waved goodbye to Secret Herb Garden, and to the pregnant pig. I'll be back to see the piglets, and to try the cakes, and, most importantly, for the wonderful herbs.

There's garden centers and then there's GARDENS CENTERS . Let's just say this place beats out a lot…read moreof them. We stopped by for a little hot drink and dessert. When can you say that in LA. It's off the highway but once drive into the parking lot, theres plenty of parking as the lot is massive. The center itself was a major surprise to me when I walked in. To the left of the entrance was their outdoor plant area which is a given but once inside, it was a major surprise. There's a full on cafe that's pretty big. Two cashier counter with hot drinks and amazing desserts on display. Besides the coffee drinks, teas and a major selection of great pastries and cakes. They also serves full meals. Garden center with a meal. There's plenty of seating in their dining area. Not only the cafe as a surprise, once you start walking through it gets better and better. Coming from LA it's like the garden center of Home Depot and Lowe's meets World Market and Home Goods with a little of Whole Foods added to the mix. There's still a big indoor garden centers. Then you have a section where's its gifts and sorts. A kids area, books, stationery and cards department. Continuing on, shoes department, a holiday area where majority of the items are half off after the holidays. There's both a mens, women and kids clothing section. More home goods and accessories. It keeps going. Then you have the icing on the cake. There's a gourmet store with meats, cheeses, food and a freakin butcher. Like full on meat counter with a pretty massive amounts of meats. To say I had a good time walking through and checking everything out, that was a blast. Do I recommend this place, definitely. The places you end up sometimes will surprise you.

I love their wee produce shop. It has veg and fruit you don't find elsewhere. Great wee garden…read morecenter for the locals xx

This is quite close proximatey to where I live, so it's quite easy to get to by car and buses go…read morepast the entrance road to it. I always seem to walk out of the with something green leafed! It has a fab selection of plants and garden equipment. The restaurant always has something nice to offer and is always busy at lunch times. Anytime I need advice the staff are really helpful and offer to help you to your car with your goods (usually compost with me!!). It's won awards in the past as of that you can rely on quality. Not only that they are independant and local.

My first Pentland Plants stop only extends to the cafe and gift shop this time round but, boy, was…read morethe huge bowl of broccoli and courgette soup just what I needed. The gift shop is just the kind of cute I'm all in for. They stock Ness accessories and really adorable handcrafted brooches and similar goodies. Its also really varied in its stock and you'll find food and homeware produce too. It was a quick stop with lunch in mind but just the kind to tempt me back if I'm nearby. Although, probably not at peak lunch hours as the cafe does get extremely busy. Just a heads up: the cafe gets warm, since you're technically in one big greenhouse. If it's a warm day, it will be even warmer inside.

Dobbies added to their chain of garden centres with this one in Dunfermline nearly two years ago…read more As well as the usual plants, garden equipment and furniture, gifts etc., they also have a concessions of Cotton Traders, a butchers, a farm food hall and great café. Throughout the year they hold various events including lecture and demonstrations there is usually a nominal fee to attend these. For just £10 you can join their gardening club this allows you to get 10% of a range of plants and seeds you also earn reward points every time you shop which can are redeemed as monetary vouchers to spend in the store. In addition you get vouchers entitling you to 2 free teas or coffees each month. So even if you only pop in for a coffee once a month it is still worth joining.

There is nothing wrong in general with this place until you need to visit the loos…read more Since the building was built, they have gone downhill. The toilet seats don't sit right. The soap dispensers do not work, the hand dryer is hopeless. The toilets are filthy, not sure when they were last cleaned.