Discover Children's Story Centre
BEST FOR
Ages 0-11
ENTRY
from £9
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
London
What it’s like
Two floors of play worlds to climb through and act out stories in, plus a garden, all built around books rather than screens.
Kids don't just look at the stories here, they climb into them. There's a puppet castle to perform in, hidden ships to find, alligators to jump over and a tree house with actual chicken legs to discover, spread across two floors of play worlds. Younger ones get their own sensory space stocked with textured toys and books, though it's strictly for 0 to 2 year olds and their grown-ups.
Entry is £9 for a child and £10 for an adult, which covers both floors and the Story Garden. The Luna Loves London exhibition is a £5.50 add-on if you want the themed storytelling and play on top, and it's the sort of thing worth doing once you've had your fill of the main worlds. Booking online is recommended since they can hit capacity on busy days, though you can also just turn up and pay on the door.
One genuine faff: buggies aren't allowed in the Story Worlds or play areas, so if you've got a baby you'll want a sling rather than relying on wheels. Food's banned in there too, but there's a café on the ground floor and a garden shack that opens on busier days, and you're welcome to bring your own picnic to eat in the spaces set aside for it.
If you want it quiet, term time Tuesday to Thursday is your best bet, since the upper floor sometimes stays closed for the first couple of hours for school visits. Fridays are family-only, no schools booked in. There's no parking on site, so you're looking at a five to ten minute walk from the nearest car park, or the station five minutes away if you're coming by train.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 0 to 11, with under-2s getting their own sensory space
- Booking
- Advance booking recommended, can arrive any time between 10am-5pm for entry ticket
- Parking
- No parking on site. Nearest car parks 5-10 min walk away
- Food
- Café on ground floor, plus coffee-and-snack shack in garden on busier days
- Pushchairs
- Buggy parking on ground floor. Buggies not allowed in Story Worlds or play areas
- Wheelchairs
- Lifts to all floors. Wheelchair accessible toilets
- Getting there by bus or train
- 5 minutes from Stratford Station
- Only 0 to 2 year olds and their grown-ups can use the Baby and Toddler Sensory Space
- Newham residents, disabled visitors and concession card holders get discounted tickets
- Groups over 10 need to book by email rather than through the website
- Stratford High Street Station has no step-free access until July 2025, so plan your route in
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
£9 for a child, £10 for an adult, covering both floors of Story Worlds and the garden. The Luna Loves London exhibition is an extra £5.50 if you want it.
Do we need to book?
Booking ahead online is recommended as busy days can hit capacity, but you can turn up and buy on the door too.
What age is it suitable for?
It's aimed at 0 to 11 year olds. Under-2s have their own sensory space, and older or younger siblings are welcome at events even outside the recommended age range.
Can we bring a buggy?
Not into the Story Worlds or play areas, there's buggy parking on the ground floor instead. A sling is a better bet if you've got a baby.
What about food?
There's a café on the ground floor and a garden snack shack on busier days. You can bring your own food too, just not into the Story Worlds or events.
Is there parking?
No parking on site. The nearest car parks are a five to ten minute walk away, with blue badge bays close by.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
There are lifts to all floors and wheelchair accessible toilets, though there are no Changing Places facilities. Staff can help with anything extra on the day.
When's the quietest time to visit?
Term time Tuesday to Thursday is quietest. Fridays are reserved for families with no school groups, and the upper floor can stay closed for the first couple of hours on other days during term time.
Do I have to arrive at a set time?
You can turn up any time between 10am and 5pm on your entry ticket. Just arrive on time for any extra events you've booked, as they don't admit latecomers.
Is it good for a baby or toddler?
There's a Baby and Toddler Sensory Space just for 0 to 2 year olds with textures, lights and books, and baby changing facilities on the main floors.
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