Secret Garden Seaton Delaval Review

This post is based on a walk-in visit in April 2021 and a booked table in May 2021. 



I decided to wait a few weeks before visiting myself and I have a table booked in a couple of weeks, but this Friday lunchtime, Steve was off work so we decided to pop along and make use of their street food/coffee shop takeaway service. 




September Family Movies - Kids Eat for £1 

๐’๐ฎ๐ง๐๐š๐ฒ ๐…๐š๐ฆ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐Œ๐จ๐ฏ๐ข๐ž ๐ƒ๐š๐ฒ ๐Ÿฟ

KIDS EAT FOR £1 from 4pm - 6pm while family movie days are on! 

This month's listings: 

Sunday 12th Sept - Monsters Inc 
Sunday 19th Sept - Shrek
Sunday 26th Sept - Spider-Man Homecoming 

Bookings slots range from 4pm - 5pm with the movie starting at 5:30pm 



Secret Garden Seaton Delaval | Alpine Lodge Coming this Autumn 


This Autumn, the Secret Garden in Seaton Delaval will be transformed into an Alpine Lodge. Wow it looks like it's going to be gorgeous and I cannot wait to visit. 

Here is what they have to say: 

๐€๐ฅ๐ฉ๐ข๐ง๐ž ๐‹๐จ๐๐ ๐ž at Secret Garden coming this autumn ๐Ÿ‚
This autumn we are remodelling, with the temperatures dropping the walls are going up
- Heated Venue
- Sheltered from the weather
- Blankets
- No booking fees needed
From September to December we have released our online bookings with NO booking fees needed!! (Excluding ticketed events)
Bookings are now open up until December 30th - Get booked in now https://secretgardensd.co.uk/book-now/
Any large Christmas parties please enquire via our email: Events@secretgardensd.co.uk

(Photo credit / Artist Impressions Credit: The Secret Garden). 






Secret Garden Seaton Delaval : Location & Information

The Secret Garden at Seaton Delaval is a brand new outdoor entertainment venue serving local food and drinks. Located on the former Laidlers site, I am delighted that somewhere like this has opened up on my doorstep. 

Credit : Secret Garden



The Secret Garden is located just off the A192 at Seaton Delaval. It has good road links to the A19, A189 and is not far from Seaton Sluice if you wish to combine with a trip to the coast. Use postcode NE25 0PP. There is a large (ish) free customer car park across the road. 

Secret Garden Customer Car Park


 

If you are looking to make a day of it or for ideas for places to visit nearby, below is a map showing some of our favourite places to visit nearby. You can drop into the Secret Garden at any time and order a takeaway from their Street Food Vans and some of the places mentioned below might be good for a picnic.

I have also included a couple of my favourite pubs and restaurants in case you happen to drop into the Secret Garden and discover they don't have any spare tables so are looking for an alternative. I really hope that having somewhere like the Secret Garden open up actually brings more visitors to the area and to nearby pubs, restaurants and attractions too: 


Secret Garden Seaton Delaval : Italian Coffee Shop / Takeaway 



You will find an Italian Coffee Shop inside the Secret Garden. At time of publishing, La Giardino Caffรจ is open: 

  • Monday - Wednesday 10am-6pm
  • Thursday-Saturday 10am-8pm 
  • Sunday 10am-5pm 
Do check these times before heading out though as details can quickly change. The Italian coffee shop is available to visit if you have a table booked at the Secret Garden OR you can just walk in without a booking to takeaway. I have to say, it was photos from this place that made we want to visit today. Everything just looks divine! 

If you are just 'walking in' enter through this black door at the front of the building and order like you would in any other coffee shop. 


They serve gorgeous homemade sandwiches and salads, pastries and cakes as well as drinks to takeaway. Everything looked so good! We bought a bag of coffee beans too. 

The staff were super friendly and the service was excellent. 


My quick snap of the cake counter really doesn't do it justice! The cakes are king of round the side so just ask if you can't see any on display. 




I went with Parma Ham, Mozzarella and Peppers on Sourdough and Steve ordered the Chicken and Avocado on Spelt. Both come with a little pot of dressing to drizzle over just before eating and you can help yourselves to (eco friendly) cutlery and napkins. 


I have only taken a photo of one sandwich but you actually get two per bag. We decided to take ours along to Seaton Delaval Hall for a bit of a picnic. I can hand on heart say the sandwiches were so good. So fresh and packed with fillings and flavour. I highly recommend. 







Secret Garden Seaton Delaval : Street Food Vendors 



If you are nearby or just fancy some street food, the Street Food Vendors are available for people to just walk in and order to takeaway without a booking. There will be new vendors popping up so this is brilliant for people like me who live close by and can pop over at lunchtime or after school if something takes our fancy. Keep an eye on the Secret Garden Facebook Page and Instagram for details of who is popping up and when. 

You can also order from the Street Food Vendors if you have a table booking, simply walk up to the vendor, order and pay and they will bring your food to your table once it's ready. 

If you are just 'walking in' simply walk down the side of the Secret Garden building (to the side of the coffee shop). You will see the Street Food painting on the wall. Just walk up to the vans and order to takeaway. 



Today there was a Peruvian Street Food Van, Acropolis and RedHeads Mac n Cheese (these will change regularly). 





Secret Garden Seaton Delaval : Table Bookings / Menus / Drinks Prices


Secret Garden Seaton Delaval is open daily, opening times vary for different vendors so please check their Social Media pages or give them a call to check if you are looking for specific information. 




It is best to book a table ahead of time to avoid disappointment, especially if you are visiting on a weekend. Use their online booking system here . They do advertise that walks ins are available so if you can't get booked, it might be worth popping by. 

I have noticed that there seems to be less availability for tables of 2 so if you can't find a table for 2, search for a table for 4 or 6 instead and more availability may appear. It just means you have to find more friends to come along with you. 

On booking, you pay a £5 per person deposit. Personally, I am all for this as the number of posts I have noticed from pubs and restaurants regarding no shows is just ridiculous. This deposit will then come off your final bill. You given a voucher on arrival to the value of your deposit and this is taken from your bill. 

Unlike Burn It Up North Shields, you do not use an app to order food and drinks. It is table service for drinks and the main menu or you can visit the street food vendors, order with them and pay direct and they will bring it to your table once prepared. 

My friend visited last week and enjoyed it. She said prices were on the expensive side and they were sat undercover on a sunny day and it was chilly / they weren't able to switch to a sunny table - something to be aware of and make sure you take a coat even if the sun is shining. 

The main menu features pizzas, loaded fries and burgers and drinks prices seem reasonable to me. For example:

Cocktails £6.45 
Mocktails £3 
Cocktail pitchers £15

Pint of Amstel £4 
Pint of Strongbow £4.30

Bottle of Bulmers £5
Wine £4 (small glass), £6.50 (large glass), £16 (bottle) 

Prosecco £5.95 per glass

Spirits drinks packages available (from around £100) 

Our photos below were taken in May 2021. You can check out current menus and prices here. 





We visited on an early evening on a Friday with the kids which we booked well in advance. I have to say, I was super impressed and everything ran really smoothly. They were playing music and the atmosphere was brilliant. Tables are socially distanced from each other and on the day of our visit, everything was table service as per Government guidelines. 

There was a bit of a queue outside but this is due to tables being sanitised / guests needing to be shown to their table so completely understandable and not something I will moan about at all. The venue is half under cover with a canopy and half open to the elements. I also spied a VIP area which looked fab. You cannot pick where you sit, it is the luck of the draw. We ended up in a covered section close to the main stage. The seating was nice and comfy. 


There are heaters but it is Northern England so bring layers! 


Our host handed us our £25 voucher (covering the cost of our deposit) which we were told to hand to our server on ordering. 

Service was super prompt and we were handed menus straight away and our order was taken very promptly. There was hardly any wait for our drinks and the venue was full - staff are definitely on the ball here. 

You can order drinks only if you don't wish to eat. Payment is taken at your table when you order by card - I much prefer this as there is no hanging around. Food is brought out street food style and when it is ready. For us, our dirty fries and kids meals were first, followed by the pizzas then the burgers. 

Your reservation voucher is only redeemable against food from the main menu and drinks - not the street food or caffe. Something to keep in mind. If you wish to order from a street food van or the cafe, you need to leave your table, walk over, order and wait for your order. 



You can just about make out some fire pits on the tables which are not covered which are a nice touch. 


We ordered a selection of food for the 5 of us plus a round of drinks (including two alcoholic drinks) and it was £23 (+ our £25 reservation voucher so £48 in total) which I found to be really good value. All of the food was lovely and the kids meals especially were extremely good value. 

Curry Topped Dirty Fries 

Kids Chicken Goujons 

Burger and Fries 

Pizza 

Kids Pizza 


After our last visit to The Secret Garden, I was keen to pick up some cakes from La Giardino Caffe which at the moment, is open until 6pm. You have to leave your table and order from the shop if you'd like to do this. I 100% recommend! Their cakes are amazing. We paid £17 for a selection of 5 cakes. 





Is Secret Garden Seaton Delaval Child & Dog Friendly 


Yes! Dogs are welcome as are children (with the exception of some events). There are some specific events which have been designed especially for children too. Local gelato is available from Ciccarelli. 


Secret Garden Kids Club


Over the summer holidays, the Secret Garden have planned some fantastic events for kids which are available to book online now (click here to read t&cs and book)




Here is what they have to say: 

INFORMATION

  • All booking slots for the kids club are from 11am-12pm with event starting between 12:15pm-12:30pm.
  • The event will last for approx 1 hour 15 mins which include, games, dance competitions with a chance of a meet and greet where every child gets a chance to get on stage to get a picture with the characters all whilst following government guidelines and Covid 19 restrictions.
  • For the kids club it is a ticketed event which is £5 per person.
  • All customers that require a seat will need a ticket to enter the venue.
  • Upon arrival each adult over the age of 18 will receive their £5 ticket back as a voucher which is redeemable on food and drinks (this is not valid on hot drinks from our cafe).
  • Click here to book now 




Would I Recommend The Secret Garden Seaton Delaval? 

100%. On both occasions we have had a brilliant experience with friendly, attentive staff, a fantastic atmosphere, prompt service and lovely food and drinks. Prices are reasonable too. I can't fault the place. 

How does the Secret Garden Seaton Delaval compare to Burn It Up North Shields? 


You can read my full review of Burn It Up here. 

I have to be honest and say that The Secret Garden wins hands down for me. The atmosphere was better, the drinks are a lot cheaper ( £16 for a bottle of wine at The Secret Garden compared with £24 at Burn It Up) and food is cheaper at The Secret Garden (duck fries are £5.95 at The Secret Garden and £9 at Burn It Up and Kids Meals are £2.95-£3 at The Secret Garden and £7 at Burn It Up). Both venues serve the same quality of food and drinks. 

The staff seem to be much more on the ball at The Secret Garden and service seems to be so much quicker. I also prefer the decor at The Secret Garden. 

There is more food choice at Burn It Up though and as it is a much larger venue, it is much easier to get a table and it is easier to access by public transport. I also think the atmosphere at Burn It Up will be brilliant on a match day and at Burn It Up you can specifically request a covered table whereas at the moment, you cannot do this at The Secret Garden and it is down to luck where you are seated. 

Both venues have a nice mix of events available too. 


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