Willowbrook Cafe and Tea Room

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#1 of 9 Quick Bites in WellingtonQuick Bites, Cafe, ££ - £££

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Willowbrook Cafe and Tea Room

Review

At a glance

Open until 5:30 PM

See all hours

Website

+44 1823 461324Improve this listing

About

We are a small friendly cafe and tea room set in a well known family-run garden centre. We are situated on the main A38 between Wellington and Taunton and just 5 minutes from Junction 26 of the M5. We have a wide and varied menu and chefs daily specials. We are known for our 'All-day breakast', lunches and cream-teas. During the Summer you can enjoy the fresh air and somerset-made ice-cream in our lovely tea garden which has great views of the Blackdown Hills.

Features

CUISINES

Cafe, British

Meal types

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

FEATURES

Accepts Credit Cards

Free off-street parking

Free Wifi

Highchairs Available

Mastercard

Outdoor Seating

Parking Available

Reservations

Seating

Table Service

Visa

Wheelchair Accessible

Location

West Buckland Road West Buckland, Wellington TA21 9HX England

Free off-street parking, Parking Available

Is this restaurant good for dinner?

Yes

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Hours

Suggest an edit

Open until 5:30 PM

Sunday

10:00 - 16:00

Monday

9:00 - 17:30

Tuesday

9:00 - 17:30

Wednesday

9:00 - 17:30

Thursday

9:00 - 17:30

Friday

9:00 - 17:30

Saturday

9:00 - 17:30

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4.2

233 reviews

Excellent

112

Very good

Average

Poor

Terrible

Claire Hart

Bridgwater195 contributions

Family visit

Jun 2024 • family

The cafe is very easy to find and well signposted from the outside and indoors. It was very busy, we did visit on a late Sunday morning. Only a few tables free indoors but plenty of spaces outside in the sunshine or undercover. We didn't have to wait long before we could order our drinks at the till, 1 medium white hot chocolate with marshmallows and 1 large hot chocolate with marshmallows and cream, £8.36 for both. The lady and the till was friendly and it was nice to see she did ask my 12 year old what she would like instead of asking me. We found a table outside and the drinks arrived within 10 minutes. A good size mug with a fairly good amount of marshmallows and cream on it. The drink itself was very warm but not hot, but tasty. The food menu looks good with a good amount of choice but not cheap. I can't say anything about the quality, we didn't have food, but the plates coming out of the kitchen did look nice! The toilet area is right next to the cafe, wheelchair access and a baby changing unit are also there.

Written 9 June 2024

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Heather C

Taunton62 contributions

Great value good menu

Jul 2024 • couples

Compared to a few other garden centres nearby this cafe offers a good value menu with interesting choices, all freshly made. Plenty of outside space with lovely views of the blackdowns. There are some lovely chickens roaming around outside too which is nice. Friendly cafe, highly recommend.

Written 11 July 2024

Jenny M

5 contributions

Love it

Sept 2024 • family

My new favourite place to eat. We phoned just half hour before on a Sunday asking if they can fit 8 of us in which they did. So glad we phoned as it was mega busy (always a good sign). 4 adults and 4 teenagers enjoyed everything. We had jacket potatoes, burger, deep fried bubble and squeak, Mac & cheeses, lasagne and bacon sandwich. We polished off the lot! The coffees were really nice too. Loved seeing the chickens outside. Even though it was really busy our food came out in really good time. Staff were great. Will definitely be back

Written 22 September 2024

Paul c

4 contributions

What's happened not the same!

Jun 2023 • friends

We are or were at least regular visitors here for lunch. we went because the staff would go out of the way to ensure my coeliac friend would get her gluten free scone as they often needed prior notice to ensure they were on the menu. Sadly it seems it is not the same happy upbeat eager to please atmosphere anymore what's changed ?? The poor servers looked absolutely run ragged and stressed there appeared to be only 2 people front of house. so how on earth they could be expected to cope during a busy lunch service I've no clue. We were also concerned to see cakes containing nuts next to non nut based cakes on the same shelf!. so we decided desert was off the menu on this occasion The food was still up to the usual standards and the service expectedly slow (not the servers fault). The servers were polite and helpful as always but it was very obvious they were running a gauntlet. the whole experience was honestly off putting im sad to say further lunches will be enjoyed elsewhere

Written 5 July 2023

Susan H

Wellington1 contribution

Great place to eat

Sept 2023 • couples

A lovely place to eat. The toasted bacon brie and cranberry sandwich served with salad and crisps was delicious. Staff very friendly and helpful. Coffee was also great. Enjoyed watching the chickens roaming around outside. Will definitely be eating here again A 5star experience

Written 6 September 2023

tinajf19

Wellington11 contributions

Breakfast stop

Aug 2023 • couples

Dropped in just for a coffee on the way back from Taunton - until we saw the breakfast menu. Chose the eggy bread with balsamic cooked tomatoes and bacon. Wow, delicious. It was difficult to decide what to have so went for this option as it was so different. Definitely not disappointed. The staff are so friendly and prices very reasonable. Not sure why we haven’t been in before but will certainly go back. They do a loyalty card for coffee so it is worth trying to fill up to get a free cup. Such a pretty place to eat, just wish it had been a bit warmer so we could have sat outside. Those brave enough to do so had the company of chickens and ducks strutting their stuff around the tables. Oh, and we bought some Dundee cake to take home.

Written 28 August 2023

Madeleine T

Morpeth5 contributions

Slow food service and untrained, unhelpful “waitressing” staff

Oct 2023 • couples

Very slow service - my food turned up but no sign of my partner’s dessert which we requested at the same time. This is the third occasion this has happened in three weeks. We queried this with young girl “waitress” who was rude and turned her back on us. The girls need simple training on the basics of working in a cafe, i.e cutlery is always a good thing to have when you are eating custard or soup!! The coffee usually turns up sloshed all over the tray! They need to pull their socks up big time!! We will not return.

Written 21 October 2023

Philip H

4 contributions

Warm coffee cake from a bag

Jun 2023 • friends

Come for coffee and cake regularly but during June this time sadly there was no plates my elderly friend and I had to eat cake from a brown paper bag and no knife to cut the cake it was embarrasing as i took her for a treat . Sadly we had to sit on a table of four because the tables of two were full of crockery and dirty The coffee was luke warm and it wasn't the old staff that we remember. missing the happy staff that we were always smiling and happy to help . The establishment has changed somewhat and sadly I have to report a bad experience I don't normally do this but I feel that you should know to be able make adjustments however the food is still great standard and very tasty . The manager is never at the front to be able to catch her to mention anything. this time was a poor experience. Sadly because my friend and I were always fond of willobrook and some of the girls who worked here . I wish you well for the future and I am sorry to have had to say this .

Written 1 July 2023

Paradise563630

9 contributions

Lovely lunch in a busy atmosphere

Feb 2025 • friends

We went for lunch. One friend and I had salmon with a parmesan and herb crust with vegetables and potatoes and another friend had beefburger with brioche bun, chips and salad. The salmon was a big piece. The vegetables were more like a soup but tasty. The beefburger was made with good quality mince. Very good food but very busy. A nice atmosphere, but noisy and can get hot. It was raining and cold outside so probably better in warm weather as there are plenty of tables outside as it is obviously a popular place to go. They do take table reservations which I would recommend.

Written 14 February 2025

apriljefferson2

Ilminster11 contributions

First class

Apr 2024 • family

We went for breakfast and the quality was exceptional. Well cooked fresh produce. I was persuaded to try fried bread ( I’m a toast fan) it was delicious, golden, crispy and not greasy. The coffee was excellent, one of the best flat whites to be had locally. The service was great and the staff were friendly and that didn’t change even when it got really busy. A first class breakfast.

Written 3 April 2024

Steven L

Kidderminster3 contributions

well worth a visit if in the area or even passing through on the M5

Jan 2022 • none

This cafe is on the A38 not far from Junction of M5 so well worth a detour if want a change from the services at Taunton Deane. Is part of the Willowbrook garden Centre, at the rear overlooking the plant sales area. We were staying in the area & decided to visit for lunch as high winds on the coast meant a change of plan although we were already planning to visit the following day for breakfast before we travelled home. Venue is very light & airy with toilets just outside under cover which were clean. Staff were friendly & we had a choice of seats. Menu had an excellent choice & the food was cooked fresh to order & was excellent. The filter coffee was delicious & we were served the soya milk in a separate jug which allowed us to make our coffee as we liked it. I had the fishcakes & my wife had a lasagne, All the salad was very fresh to. We returned the following day & my wife had an omelette & I had eggy bread which again was excellent & a rare find on a breakfast menu. I liked the way the tomato's had been marinated in balsamic vinegar yum yum. Again had the filter coffee with soya milk which was as good as the day before. Staff were again very friendly & we had a choice of seats. Service was very good on both visits & the kitchen is not hidden from view. Covid 19 protocols being followed. Prices were good. Was fairly busy on both occasions with locals & visitors which is always a good sign.

Written 1 February 2022

idcus

564 contributions

Quality Food

Oct 2022 • couples

Food tasted lovely and was well presented. Had ordered a veggie breakfast and a jacket potato and two lattes. Let down because there is a sign saying no dogs allowed inside (understandable as there are tables available outside to use) and a dog was inside (some staff were aware of its presence but didn't say anything), this was not a support dog as the owner was heard saying she knew she should not be inside! This wasn't a major issue for me personally but the owner was feeding it from a tub on the floor and it was messing all the floor up. Sorry, but if there is a rule it should be enforced so everyone knows where they stand and those that don't like dogs around them when eating know it is a dog free cafe (except for support dogs) or remove the sign and allow all dogs to be fair to all. Make your mind up......

Written 23 October 2022

Karen W

35 contributions

Dont bother

Jul 2023 • family

Waited for ages to be served and not overly busy. No please or thank you given. Young girl had false nails that were at least 4 inches long and dished up ice cream never even put gloves on. When given my change it took ages as due to long nails she couldn't pick up the pound coins!!!!. She never smiled once. Will try another garden centre perhaps one with health and hygiene put in place

Written 29 July 2023

Charis59

32 contributions

Excellent lunch

May 2021 • none

Went for a light lunch with a friend. I had bubble and squeak . The potatoes and cabbage were nicely browned, the poached egg perfectly cooked and the ham,delicious especially with some pickle. My friend had poached eggs on toast with cheese sauce which she enjoyed. Overall good value for money and delicious food!

Written 25 May 2021

kttravel08

226 contributions

Good food, good prices, good experience

Oct 2024 • friends

Today I had a table booked for lunch. It was my first visit to the cafe. A really excellent experience. The telephone help was friendly and easy. Our table was clearly marked. Windows were open which, as I am immuno suppressed, meant I felt comfy to sit inside rather than out. I was thrilled to see the smaller meals as I should eat small meals. Often this leaves me asking for children’s options which isn’t a great feeling. To see even half slices of tray bakes was lovely. This is all brilliant accessibility in areas that not many cafes seem to think about. The food was tasty and seemed very freshly prepared. Finally, I have been a fan of other restaurants on the same stretch of road. However, their menus have become outside my budget. The food here felt very good value indeed. I look forward to returning again, soon.