Secretts Garden Centre, Godalming

We came here a couple of months ago and have to say were a bit disappointed. In my view, its not somewhere where you can spend a great deal of time, my child got easily bored looking around the garden centre and we were forever telling him not to touch things as there were lots of ornaments on the floor. We went to the cafe only to be told they werent doing any food - just drinks as it was past 3pm. We did manage to get a couple of coffees and cake for our son but it was really dry and seemed like it was a few days old. The cafe was in major need of renovation and was very tired looking. No one helped us with a highchair even though they could see I was looking all over for one and there were plenty of staff around. I've heard there is a play area here but we couldn't find one - not sure if its hidden away somewhere?!

This is a nice place to visit for a wander around. They sell not only plants but a range of gifts and cards. Easy to push a buggy around but freedom for little ones to explore too (maybe not in the gift section tho!) Cafe for drinks and snacks or just an ice cream freezer for a treat on the way out by the tills. Also near to a Tesco Express for any emergency nappy purchases!

Lured here by the promise of more strawberries than you can shake a stick at, we had a great time among the rows of newly-grown summer fruit. My son loved having his own basket, and peering under leaves for rip fruit (a few had to be sampled for quality control purposes). Also available are blackcurrants, raspberries, rhubarb and tomatoes - their website tells you what's in season and if they are running low on anything). The garden centre itself has a great range of plants and garden accessories, plus lots of gardening books, children's gifts and plenty more. At Christmas they do a Santa's grotto, among the Christmas decoration displays and gifts. The farm shop has regular farmer's markets (monthly) and sells a variety of delicious products. Our favourites are the ales from local brewery The Hogs Back. The play area here is a timber fortress that is built around a huge tree, and the challenge is to climb up th inside. There's a also a climbing frame. Wander over to the duck pond, where there are benches while you watch the activity on the water! The coffee shop does hot and cold food, but the kids make-your-own packed lunch is a cute idea - chose boxes of raisins, sandwiches etc. They do afternoon teas and Sunday lunches, and it caters for high chairs and larger family groups.

This really is the garden centre you can turn into a whole day out for the family! Sounds corny, but its true! There is of course the standard garden centre stuff - lots of plants, paving slabs, compost etc, but there is also a good selection of childrens toys - suitable for frines birthday presents or pocket money items, plus there is a wonderful play area with custom built two storey wooden playhouse, old skool metal climbing frame, guinea pigs in a hutch on the grass, an ornamental pong thing with rare breed ducks, and a fountain. The other big draw is that there is a fantastic Pick - Your - Own with everything ranging from the standard stawbs to items as diverse as gladioli, mangetout, pumpkins and sweetcorn. In addition there is a farm shop selling their own produce aswell as other large farm shop items, plus a tea shop, florist and restaurant - suitable for children with high chairs and plenty of child appropriate food.