Orchard Park - North Dorset

Recently, my wife and I met up with my wife's brother for lunch. From the compliance of the Covid requirements to the food itself, the whole experience was VERY enjoyable. Our compliments to all concerned including the service and, in particular, the chef as the food was really good. Well done all and many thanks. We live in Dorchester but we have occasion to visit Gillingham now and again so we will be back to Orchard Park restaurant for more of the same.

We visited the garden centre for lunch and found the covid restrictions guidelines were carried out very well. We had the burgers which were lovely they came with chips and a salad. Our waitress was very good she was efficient and helpful. There was something for everyone on the menu. We will return to try their cream tea next.

Visited garden center today decided to have lunch what a joke. Shown to a table food crumbs all over the floor underneath. Waited a least 20 mins for order to be taken. Ordered 2 soft drinks and our main course waited another 1/4 of an hour for drinks. Mains came at last after several other people who arrived after us were served. Husband had sausage roll and salad the roll was burnt on both ends. just about edible I had ham salad ham just stuck on plate in heap was very fatty and full of gristle . Potato salad and coleslaw very funny tasting. Needless to say we left half of it. Will not be going back

Sit very close to others in restaurant. We ordered lunch. Then waited watching people that came in after us eating their lunch..when I asked where our order was I was asked if we had ordered chips as there is a delay. I pointed out someone who came in after us had chips to be told it must be a delay on something else we ordered. When the food came it was a bit disappointing. Everyone has their own opinions to places.I am only saying about our experience. The garden centre itself was very interesting with lots of gifts.

Completely can’t fault the farm shop, however the cafe is a completely different story.. i had visited the cafe many times before for coffee/ hot chocolate and a cake and never had an issue.. i visited on a sunday for breakfast with a couple of friends. Although staff was fine, we were seated quickly received our drinks in good time, the food wasn’t up to the same standard. I chose the vegetarian breakfast which was a decent price for the quantity of food that you receive. It came out fairly quickly which i was satisfied with. However, shortly after trying my food i realised it was only luke warm apart from the baked beans that were piping hot obviously microwaved.)However, i work in the hospitality industry myself and i completely understand that sometimes in a busy period, these things happen you cannot fault the front of house staff for this, they were all young friendly. I was coming to the end of my meal when i actually found a blonde hair in my food. I pointed this out to my friends that i was sitting with and i am adamant that it isn’t mine as i’ve got dark hair.. very disappointed with my meal and will not be visiting again. My table was never checked by staff i don’t know if this is the way the cafe is run) as a worker in the industry i know how important it is to check that a customer is satisfied with their food, however, again the front of house cannot be blamed for that as they most likely follow what a supervisor/ manager tells them. Had i had spare time, i would have happily spoken to a member of staff to let them know of my experience however, i had to get to work and had very limited time. Very disappointed as i was a regular up until now.