During a recent day out, we wanted a break but weren’t keen on the usual Frankley motorway services. Instead, we exited at junction 4 and headed to Singletons Nurseries in Bromsgrove, a destination I’d heard great things about.
Singletons Nurseries is a family-run business with over 75 years of history, and its Potting Shed Café and Restaurant has been serving guests for the past decade. Parking was hassle-free, and from the moment we arrived, the vibrant display of flower pots at the entrance set a welcoming tone under the clear blue sky.
The café itself is a quaint wooden chalet tucked away at the rear of the garden centre, complete with a cozy patio area. Eager to enjoy the sunshine and gentle background music, I suggested sitting outside — but once inside, the enchanting interior stole the show.
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Fairy lights twinkled overhead, colorful lanterns and chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and charming bunting decorated the entrance to the flower market shop nearby. Mirrors on the back wall crafted an illusion of shuttered windows, while a small conservatory provided a private nook for special gatherings.
The eclectic mix of shabby chic furniture and comfy tartan armchairs invited us to settle in. We chose the armchairs and eagerly explored the menu, which offered a variety of options including brunch dishes, toasties (£8.50), sandwiches (£7), jacket potatoes (£9.50), daily quiches (£8), and soups (£7 or £10 with a cheese toastie).
For lunch, mains featured hearty choices like beer battered cod and chips with homemade tartar sauce (£13.50), chicken tikka masala (£13.50), and house-made lasagne (£14). I had my heart set on the lasagne, but it was unfortunately sold out, so I opted for the chicken Caesar salad (£12) instead. It was a generous, fresh plate with crisp Romaine lettuce, creamy Caesar dressing, homemade garlic croutons, five slices of grilled chicken, and a sprinkle of parmesan — satisfying and delicious.
My husband went for the classic ham, eggs, and chips (£13.50). While he had hoped for thick hand-carved ham, the thin slices were nonetheless tasty. The free-range eggs were cooked to perfection, with yolks oozing over chunky, triple-cooked chips.
We shared a large slice of carrot cake (£4.95), which was light and fluffy with a delightful filling, though it could have benefited from a bit more intensity in flavor. To accompany our meal, we enjoyed a fresh orange juice (£1.95) and a decaf cappuccino (£3.50) served in an elegant cup and saucer, perfectly mimicking the taste of a regular cappuccino.
Our total bill was £37.90 — entirely reasonable for the quality, ambiance, and the location. It far exceeded what we might have experienced at a conventional motorway stop.
Before heading back on the road, we enjoyed a stroll around the nursery and its charming gift shop, leaving us refreshed and happy after our visit.
The Potting Shed Café at Singletons Nurseries is located on Birmingham Road, Lydiate Ash, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, B61 0HT. The café offers seasonal events and generally opens from 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday, and 9:30am to 4pm on Sundays.