Mulberry Thyme - West Berkshire

Situated within a lovely garden centre where a new extension has been beautifully kitted out. There is a food hall there too with a fabulous selection. It’s just a shame that the coffee shop doesn’t really match the high levels of service seen throughout the rest of the centre. The coffee is good and there is a nice range of teas and other drinks but the staff just give an overall air of not being interested and a bit unfriendly which just spoils the overall vibe and doesn’t really encourage staying for additional drinks or something to eat.

Things didn't start well with the very long and slow moving queue (30m) all because they had one person preparing coffees one cup at a time! Once we'd finally ordered and found our table the food (mac n cheese gratin 11.99) arrived quite quickly to say underwhelming is an understatement. The portion was tiny (about 5 fork fulls), the mac n cheese was dry (i.e. no cheese sauce) and barely tasted cheesy (it was like eating pasta with no sauce). The peas didn't taste remotely fresh. We had bought mince pie and a chocolate cake for afters which were both terribly dissapointing too (neither tasted remotely fresh). Won't be visisting again.

I grew up in Chieveley and was back visiting my parents with my partner on 5th Nov. Hearing that the garden centre had had a new extension we thought we’d drop in. My partner said he fancied something savoury so we dropped in at the restaurant in the older part of the garden centre. We ordered and got sat down, I then went off to use the loo and found another lady in there wondering around and she said there was no loo roll in any of the cubicles. She had managed to get some from the disabled loo and shared it with me. I then told one of the members of staff with a trolley that there was no loo roll and she said she wasn’t sure if it was ‘their’ responsibility. And walked off to check. She then came back to our table to tell me that as she thought ‘they’ don’t have access which I assume she meant rosemary and thyme at this point our hot roof had arrived she then told me how they don’t have a key for the cupboard and can’t get to the loo rolls and that I would have to go and tell the staff in the new section as it’s their responsibility…. That would have meant me leaving my coffee and hot food going out in the rain walking across the carpark through the new bit to find someone to tell….And I thought ok maybe you don’t have a key but how ridiculous to expect a paying customer who just sat down with hot food to go and tell another member it staff?!!! The lady should have just gone over and told the other section when I first told her. Also being a morning and for there to be no loo roll in what looked like 4+ cubicles and not checked before opening for business that day when you’re serving food and drink is just not on. Cost of living makes you really question where you spend on food and drink treats. It’s just so disappointing.

I tried the fish and chips and it was absolutely delicious. The staff were friendly and helpful. It's a great spot for lunch and I would definitely recommend it.

I had a wonderful lunch at Hillier's Newbury. The food was served promptly and the staff were extremely friendly and helpful. It was a delightful place to spend the afternoon.