Brogdale Collections is the home of the National Fruit Collection, our orchards are a living history & heritage of fruit

  I've been going to Brogdale for years and have written many good reviews. Unfortunately after a particularly unfortunate experience I wrote a poor, but truthful review. When I went... read more again in order to have lunch and hopefully write a good review I was told at first that they were full, this was clearly not the case. The owner then said my friend could eat there but I couldn't after the review I had left!!
Note to self, if you go back to somewhere in the hope that they will want to impress so you can write a better review, you may find you have been barred. Thank goodness there are other places to go to.

  Took the family to the Cider Festival today, a great day out. Although it was a heatwave, that didn't stop play and all the staff were really friendly. ... read more Had a very interesting tractor ride through the orchards, some tasty local cider and a delicious pizza and hog roast...and some more cider! Live music for all tastes too, and good old fashioned fun dotted around. Looking forward to returning for the next event. Well done all!

  Hanami Festival Waste of Money - £23 for a family to, sit on a tractor, ride around a lot of 5ft trees not yet flowering, while expecting a Japanese Drum display, Quick Draw display, Sword Demonstration,... read more and Japanese cultural enlightenment.

Instead there wes some food vans, not bad, but they found it hard to consistently give the correct prices even though they were posted. They lady even threw the wrong change at me, when I told here she gave me too much, she told me it's mine, so I kept it.

The demonstrations were pittiful. A guy in a cheap samurai costume, with a number of locals banging drums poorly. It looked like they had just learnt off you tube. There was not passion and the timing was bad. And they weren't even Japanese.

A tent with some writings about Japanese samurai committing sepuku in front of a cherry tree, a kimono display rack where you can try on a kimono, a leaf bashing stand, yes a stand where you gamer leaves into fabric, free sweets from Wagamama and a short yea display, a short bonsai trees display a quick calligraphy display, and sushi to try.

For £23 completed the lot in 45 minutes.

Looking at the website it sounds grander than it is. It is over priced and leaving in any real cultural authenticity, except that the Japanese mother and daughter helped their English father teach calligraphy.

I was so disappointed. My son even commented that he could have sat at home while I waved my own katana collection around, it would have been more entertaining.

Seriously, if you want to go somewhere, visit the local castles, Leeds castle is better, or visit Dover castle, or Hever Castle, or anything other place for that money in Kent.

  Six pensioners ordered tea for 5 and earl grey for one and scones etc for six. Sorry, no scones, sold out yesterday. So ordered sandwiches instead. Tea arrived in a... read more one pint pot and an individual, 2-cup pot. Having poured 5 teas the pot was virtually empty. So we requested, as you would, a jug of hot water. A small cream jug arrived with half a cup of hot water. So we asked for more hot water. No. If you want more hot water you'll have to pay for more tea. Sorry. The poor girl was obviously just the messenger. No sign of manager or supervisor. So this experience plus sandwiches being made with stale bread was enough to ensure that we regulars will not return. I note other reviewers report similar problems. I wonder if Brogdale read their reviews?

  What a great place. We booked on a guided tour and learnt loads. The guide was very informative and we all enjoyed the tour.Highly recommend a visit but... read more make sure you have a tour.

  What a great place. We booked on a guided tour and learnt loads. The guide was very informative... read more