Food Review of The Secret Garden, Wisbech St Mary: There’s so much on site, and they do a smashing breakfast too

In our latest Eat My Words food review, our reporter and his wife sample a couple of English breakfasts…

The Secret Garden must be one of the most aptly named businesses in Fenland. When you visit for the first time, you are blown away by just how much is there.

Working at the local newspaper, I’d obviously heard bits and bobs about it, but I must admit I was surprised by the scale of this impressive operation. Not only is it a restaurant, but also a popular pub, touring caravan, camping and glamping site and an entertainment venue.

But I’d heard it does wonderful breakfasts, including for people such as myself who don’t eat meat and dairy, so my wife Josi and I visited on a recent Sunday morning.

We were advised by other customers to book as the place is so busy, and we did so by their preferred method of texting, the evening before, and had soon secured a table for 11am.

On entering the site, there was plenty of parking and, as we were early, we had a small walk around the gardens, including seeing the impressive 800kg Kugel ball, which floats on just a small amount of water thanks to hydrostatic pressure.

We then wandered into the restaurant, called The Potting Shed Pub, and were quickly seated. It was a good job we had booked too, as the place was very busy, with most tables taken up by those enjoying breakfast or a late morning pint.

The cosy and welcoming Potting Shed has open-sided oak-framed walls and large windows giving a wonderful view of the surroundings.

There is a great selection of real ales from Tydd Steam Brewery, plus a regular guest ale, whereas the gin and vodka options are distilled on site at Fen Spirits. Much of the alcohol menu is from local businesses too, so well worth a visit for the booze connoisseur.

The breakfast menu is impressive, with omelettes, egg dishes, wraps and muffins, various toast toppings, sandwiches and baguettes and a Veggie Mexican Burrito, which I intend to sample on my next visit.

The main English breakfast starts at £10 for one sausage, one slice of bacon, one egg, new potatoes or hash browns, tomato, mushrooms, beans and toast. For £13 you get two sausages, two slices of bacon, and two eggs and for £16.50, three of each.

The vegetarian option, for £13, consists of avocado, fried new potatoes or hash browns, egg, mushroom, tomato, beans and toast, and there are also sides costing between £1.50 and £2. There are also American-style pancakes or crepes.

Drinks-wise on the breakfast menu, there are various coffees, all for £3.50, with a pot of tea or juice costing £2.50.

I went for the vegetarian breakfast with a pot of tea, and the staff were happy to give me oat milk for my drink and substitute my eggs for hash browns. Avocados were not available, but I was given extra tomatoes. Josi went for the “two of each” breakfast and had a latte.

We both agreed our food was excellent, fresh and tasty… and there was so much of it too. Never a quitter where food is concerned, I battled through and cleared my plate, but Josi did have to leave some beans and tomatoes.

The Potting Shed is a lovely little place, and we shall probably return for a meal, or even some of their evening entertainment.

Lunches are served 11.30am-2pm Tuesday to Saturday and include dishes such as cod, scampi, gammon, prawns, ham and chicken goujons, all served with chips and salad or peas, as well as lasagne, omelettes, burgers and a vegetable curry, as well as specials. These meals are priced between £15 and £17.50, with omelettes around £11.

There are also platters, baguettes, toasties and jacket potatoes.

Evening entertainment coming up at The Secret Garden includes several tribute acts and comedy evenings, and food is also served during these events.

Opening times for the restaurant are Tuesday to Saturday, 9am to 2pm and Sunday, 9am to noon. Text 07958541120 to book a table. The pub is open 9am to 9pm all week, and until 10pm on Friday and Saturday.

Ratings out of five:

Food: Two really filling, tasty breakfasts. ****

Drink: We weren’t too adventurous, but the choice certainly is. ****

Price: £32 for two large breakfasts and two hot drinks was fine. ***

Service: Very friendly staff and happy to make changes to the menu. ****

Decor: Oak walls with large windows giving pleasant views. ****