The Play Village Ashbourne
BEST FOR
Ages 1-11
ENTRY
from £1.95
WHERE
Ashbourne
What it’s like
Eight role-play pods, from a vet's surgery to a building site, where kids dress up and play pretend rather than bounce off walls.
This isn't soft play. There's no ball pit to fish anyone out of, it's eight little role-play sets kitted out properly: a fire station, a hospital, a hairdresser's, a supermarket, an office, a vet's, a café and a building site. Kids pick a costume and get stuck into whichever one takes their fancy, and honestly for a four-year-old who likes pretending to be a doctor or stacking shelves, that could eat up the whole session on its own.
Sessions off-peak run 9:30 to 2:30 and you're in for 50 minutes, while peak times (which is most weekends) are split into shorter slots, 9:30-11:15, 11:45-1:30, 2-3:45. Doors shut once a session's started, so turning up fifteen minutes late means waiting for the next one rather than sneaking in. Off-peak child entry is £7.95, peak is £9.95, and adults get away with £1.95, which is decent value when you're the one footing the bill for three kids.
Under-ones and crawlers get their own baby area away from the pods, with baby changing and bottle warming, which is a proper thought given the main pods clearly aren't built for that age. Shoes off and socks on in the pods is non-negotiable, and outside food isn't allowed beyond baby food for allergies, so you're relying on the café for snacks and meals, which it does stock.
Booking ahead is recommended and walk-ins aren't guaranteed a spot, so if you've got a Saturday morning free and fancy popping in on a whim, ring first. Parking's free on site, which takes the sting out of the entry price a bit. Parties are a bigger outlay, £295 for the standard package with 1hr 45 of hire and buffet, and there's a £695 Platinum tier if you want the full works.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 1 to 11, though pre-schoolers get the most from the pods
- Booking
- Book in advance to secure space
- Parking
- Free parking on site
- Food
- On-site café serving snacks, meals and drinks
- Parties
- Standard (£295) and Platinum (£695) packages with 1hr 45min exclusive/full venue hire, party buffet, decorations, and optional add-ons
- Doors close once a session starts, no sneaking in late.
- Socks are compulsory in the pods, shoes stay at the door.
- Only 30 children allowed per session, so it won't feel rammed.
- Party invitations go out digitally within 7 days of booking.
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
£7.95 a child off-peak, £9.95 at peak times, and £1.95 for adults.
Do we need to book?
Booking ahead is recommended to guarantee a space. Walk-ins get in when there's room, but it's not promised.
What age is it best for?
Toddlers, pre-schoolers and primary-age kids get the most out of the pods. Babies and crawlers have their own separate area instead.
What do the kids actually do?
They dress up and play out eight settings built to look the part, a fire station, hospital, vet's, café, supermarket, office, hairdresser's and building site.
Can we bring our own food?
No, outside food isn't allowed, aside from baby food for allergies. The café covers snacks, meals and drinks, and stocks baby food too.
How long is a session?
50 minutes off-peak. Peak sessions on weekends and busier weekdays run in three timed slots instead.
What should the kids wear?
Whatever's comfortable, but shoes come off for socks in the pods, and they'll likely be swapping into a costume anyway.
Is there parking?
Free parking on site.
Do you do birthday parties?
The standard package is £295 for 1hr 45 of exclusive hire with a party buffet and decorations. There's a £695 Platinum option too, and a £50 deposit is non-refundable.
Can you deal with allergies at parties?
They say they can cater for allergies.
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