Hillier Garden Centre Aldermaston - Reading

Bernadette P.

Pretty plant selection, but both the garden centre and the cafe are significantly overpriced, the staff are arrogant and do not treat customers nicely. A very disappointing place to visit.

Aimée K.

We visited the garden centre yesterday to buy some garden furniture. We were helped by Roz who showed us to what we were looking for and answered all of our questions beautifully. She really couldn’t have done any more for us so thank you!

The rest of the garden centre wasn’t great as there wasn’t anything we were looking for, and there was a general lack of stock.

Rachel G.

This was a lovely garden center with a nice warm enviroment and lots of lovely items/baked goods! But the breakfast unfortunately was delicious but took 45 minutes to come out!! I do believe that it was because it was half priced and when its not it is very quick and good service.

Calla D.

I went looking for a specific plant for my wedding, which was unfortunately out of season. I spoke with Graham who was so incredibly helpful and understanding, went absolutely above and beyond and managed to get me this plant from their nursery in time for my wedding. There are no words to express my appreciation and Hilliers are so lucky to have such a helpful and kind employee. Thank you!!

Erin A.

Visited today with family, having been several times before Hillier took over, but unfortunately all four of us left disappointed - we made a specific journey for the fabulous cake, and to look around the garden center. Whilst the center itself was lovely, the cafe was something to be desired. Nearly every single table had dirty cups, plates or trays on it, and those without had dirty surfaces. Customers were having to clear their own tables in order to sit down, and the till/barista station was also dirty and messy with piles of empty milk bottles in the sink and on surfaces. Coffee cups were only half filled, but having waited for some time for the order to be taken and the drinks to be made, it felt too painstaking to ask for a properly filled cup.

I ordered a raspberry and white chocolate muffin, and having got 3/4’s of the way through it, I got up to check that I had actually picked up the right one as there wasn’t a single raspberry to be found within it. It tasted as if there was white chocolate flavouring but again none actually inside. When paying nearly £4 for a relatively small muffin, I do really expect there to be the ingredients inside that it says it has! It did still taste nice, and was clearly fresh, but such a shame that it essentially a plain muffin.

As we left, the three members of staff were attending to one customer in the queue, with probably 90% of the tables still covered in dirty tableware. For context, we were sat at table 41 on the right hand side, and there was not one single clear table in that entire section, with only three actually occupied tables.

It may just have been an off day, but for a garden centre cafe on the upper end of the price scale, I expect to be able to sit at a clean table at the very least. I walked past a number of people who’d clearly seen the state of it and not bothered to sit and eat, hearing similar comments about the cleanliness. Very disappointing as the centre is lovely, but I absolutely won’t be going back any time soon.

Jo J.

Restaurant staff were very kind and attentive, beans on toast was very filling. Garden centre was lovely, many small gifty bits to buy. Outdoors was full of winter flowers and potato buy. A bit on the pricey side but a nice place to visit for a mooch.

Troy T.

Since stumbling upon this place a few weeks ago, this is now one of my favourite places to come.
They offer more "home grown" vegetables, and lots from lesser known manufacturers.
There is a meat and cheese counter, and a good frozen food aisle with ready meals along with pastries and fruit and veg.
There is a restaurant on site which does some lovely food, alongside that is a small garden centre which does some lovely ornaments and plants.

I can't wait to go again!

Will H.

It is often quite crowded and would be good were it for the dreadful Muzak being piped through speakers all over the place. The food hall is very interesting. However, their prices are 59% or more than the exact same things available elsewhere. So, it's nice to get inspiration there and then buy the stuff elsewhere. Of course, some of it would be difficult to find elsewhere, but most of it is widely available.

The people who work there are very nice. Friendly, helpful and courteous. Car parking is good, too. If you like garden centres and piped pop music, you'll like this place!