The Little Play Lounge
BEST FOR
Ages 0-11
ENTRY
from £1
BUGGY FRIENDLY
Yes
What it’s like
A café and garden built around indoor play for babies and toddlers, with a climbing frame outside for older siblings.
The indoor play space here is pitched squarely at little ones aged 0 to 3.5, so if you've got a crawler or a wobbly toddler, this is their patch. Outside there's a climbing frame and a ride-on tractor area, which is where the older siblings up to about 11 will end up while the baby of the family potters about inside.
You don't have to book a play session at all if you just fancy the café and the gardens, which takes the pressure off a spontaneous visit. Seasonal events run through the year too: pumpkin picking and hay bales at Harvest Festival, a Santa Session, Christmas Sensory Explorers and Messy Makers, even a Mini Movie for a pound. Prices for these range from £1 up to £8, so it's worth picking the one that actually suits your child's age rather than paying for all of them.
The café does drinks, cakes, snacks and lunches, with brunch options on the menu, and there's a covered pram park outside if you've come with a buggy (it can't come inside the building itself, which is a minor faff if you're used to wheeling it everywhere). Parking's free on site, and outside food isn't allowed indoors bar baby milk, so plan on buying there rather than bringing a packed lunch.
If it's a birthday you're planning, there are three party packages: a Little Tea Party at £195, a Little Lounge Party at £250, and a cheaper Little Garden Party at £120, which is the only one where you're allowed to bring in outside suppliers. Play sessions run at selected times on weekdays between 9:30am and 3pm.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Babies to age 3.5 indoors; siblings up to 11 have the outdoor frame
- Parking
- Free on-site parking
- Food
- Café serving drinks, cakes, snacks, seasonal treats and lunches
- Pushchairs
- Prams and pushchairs welcome. Covered pram park available, cannot be stored inside the building
- Parties
- Three party packages: Little Tea Party (11:30am-1:30pm, £195), Little Lounge Party (1:30pm-3:30pm, £250)
- Play sessions run at set times on weekdays, so it is not an all-day drop-in for the indoor space
- Outside food is banned indoors except baby milk, so budget for the café
- The pram park is covered but outdoors, buggies do not come inside
- Only the Little Garden Party package allows outside suppliers
Plan your visit
Do we need to book to visit?
Not if you just want the café and gardens, you can turn up. A play session itself runs at selected times, so that part does need checking.
What ages is the indoor play area for?
It's built for babies and toddlers aged 0 to 3.5 years.
What can older children do?
There's an outdoor climbing frame and a ride-on tractor area for the ones too big for the indoor space.
Is there parking?
Free parking on site.
Can we bring our own food?
No, outside food, snacks and drinks aren't allowed, apart from baby milk or formula. The café covers drinks, cakes, snacks and lunches.
What are the opening hours?
Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 3pm.
Can we bring a pushchair?
Prams and pushchairs are welcome and there's a covered pram park, though it can't be stored inside the building.
How much do the seasonal events cost?
They range from £1 for a Mini Movie up to £8 for Christmas Messy Makers, with most sitting around £5 to £7.50.
Do you do birthday parties?
Three packages: a Little Tea Party for £195, a Little Lounge Party for £250, and a Little Garden Party for £120.
Can we bring our own entertainer to a party?
Only with the Little Garden Party package, that is the one that allows outside suppliers.
Is there car seat advice available?
General car seat advice is free, and there is also a paid appointment at £20 where you do not need to know which seat you want beforehand.
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