The Cafe Nel Verde is stylish, furnished in the manner of an expensive Italian cafe. There are several seating areas, all in a similar top quality style. There are indoors, covered conservatory and outdoors seating areas.

We ordered an omelette breakfast (�6.95) from the cafe and were impressed by the quality of the food, preparation and presentation. The omelette was cooked absolutely perfectly. It wasn't the souffl� served in many restaurants, neither was it rock solid. It was cooked exactly as an omelette should be, an achievement which many restaurants and cafes fail to reach. The bacon was chunky and tasty with the fat (and only the fat) slightly crisped - excellent. Delicious button mushrooms and tomato cooked to perfection. Served to our table with a smile.

The choice of food on offer is also excellent. A full range of teas, coffees, slightly expensive cakes, salads, pasta meals, and main meals. The cakes aside, the prices are above average for a garden centre cafe but you will be served with food which is top quality. So overall, the prices are good.
The outdoor seating area is very pleasant with views over a lake. Very relaxing on a warm day.

There is an extensive area given over to house plants. It's well laid out and the overall effect is attractive.

The range of plants is excellent and they are in tip top condition. Prices are slightly higher compared to many other garden centres but not by that much.

The indoor sales area is at the top end of the market as far as design and the goods on offer are concerned. This is a very up-market shopping area selling everything from jewellery to indoor furniture. Shopaholics will have a field day day here, but keep a careful eye the costs.

The paths are wide and unobstructed, good for wheelchair access. As well as items totally unrelated to gardening, the store stocks an excellent range of garden accessories as well.

As far as prices are concerned, see our test shopping basket on the previous page.

The Pet shop does not sell any live animals but it does stock a very comprehensive range of accessories and feeds.
Water features are also well-represented and there is an area set aside for kids in the garden.

If summer houses, sheds or greenhouses are on your shopping list then GBC at Bents will not disappoint. There is a huge array of building of all sizes on display, all well presented. It's worth a wander round even if you don't plan to buy. Dream on!

There are ladies, gents, disabled and bay changing facilities. All are clean and functional.

The picture on the left shows that just clean and functional is not good enough for Bents, they have to make them stylish as well! Not as ostentatious as two other garden centres we could mention but far more in keeping with the rest of the garden centre.