Play-tropolis

What it’s like

Nine role-play zones from a hospital to a fire station and a supermarket, for a day of pretend jobs rather than climbing frames.

This isn't a climbing and sliding sort of soft play. Play-tropolis is built around nine role-play sets, a High Street, a theatre, a hospital, a café, a supermarket, hair and beauty, a vets, a fire station and a park, so the kids clock in as doctors, shopkeepers and firefighters rather than launching themselves down a slide. It suits under-8s well, the age the site sets as the ceiling, and it's the sort of imaginative play that keeps younger children absorbed for a good while without anyone getting flattened by a bigger kid barrelling through.

Because there's no climbing or jumping and children need supervising throughout, this is calmer than your average soft play barn. That's a plus if you've got a toddler who finds big frames overwhelming, less so if you've got an eight-year-old after something more physical. A child ticket is £10 midweek off-peak and £11 at weekends and in the holidays, with extra adults at £2 to £3 and babies who aren't walking yet getting in free.

You do need to book ahead. Walk-ins aren't guaranteed, so this isn't one to turn up to on a whim if the weather's turned. It's shut on Tuesdays, and opening hours run 9:30am to 4pm on the days it is open, which makes an afternoon session tight if you're planning much else. The café does sandwiches, paninis and cakes with seating that overlooks the play area, so there's somewhere to sit while you watch the youngest boss everyone about in the vets.

Birthday parties run two ways, a shared slot at £18 a child for 90 minutes of play plus 30 minutes in the party room, or exclusive hire at £420 for two hours with up to 20 children. Both include a grazing board and unlimited juice, but they won't do balloons, decorations or a cake, so that part's on you.

Facilities

Need to know

Best for

Under 8s; role-play over climbing suits younger, calmer kids

Booking

S only. Walk-ins cannot be guaranteed

Food

Café offering sandwiches, paninis, cakes, and hot beverages

Parties

Two packages: shared hire (£18 per child, 90 mins play + 30 mins party room, 10-15 children) or exclusive hire (£420 for 2 hours

• No climbing or jumping allowed, it's all role-play rather than a physical frame
• Closed every Tuesday
• Sessions run 9:30am to 4pm, so a late-afternoon visit isn't an option
• Parties need a 50% deposit to secure the booking
• A SEN session runs through the school holidays for a quieter visit

Plan your visit

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