THE Riverside Hub in Northampton is every parent’s dream.
The play centre has got everything to occupy kids from soft play to sensory rooms, go-karting, laser tag and it even has the largest playframe in the UK.
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TikToker Louise Pentland raved about her recent visit to the Riverside Hub in Northampton, calling it her daughter’s “idea of heaven”.
And it’s got other mums talking too. One commented and said “it’s the best soft play we’ve ever been to”.
Another described it as the “perfect day out”.
The play centre offers fun for kids of all ages, even babies, and has lots of different spaces to explore.
The under five’s area has a water bed, dolphin carousel and they’ve recently added a ball pool.
For ages between two and five, there are sensory rooms with murals and light effects.
There’s a role-play village with props for playing cafe, garage, shop, a doctors, vets, building site, beauty salon and restaurant.
The biggest attraction is the playframe, which is the largest in the UK and suitable for all ages set across various heights.
For beginners, there’s a big oak tree, and for older children, a ten-metre-high beanstalk.
The whole frame is set at a two-metre head height so adults can go on it with their kids too.
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In the centre is a 9-hole course of crazy golf that’s space-themed with lights. With the admission fee, you can play unlimited games – just bring your own golf ball.
A giant play area is set across four levels and is what they call the “ultimate soft-play”.
On one of the floors there’s even a football pitch with interactive games and two slides.
At no extra charge kids can have a go on the electric go-karts. And there’s space for a parent to sit in the back if any kids need help around the track.
For any competitive children, there’s the chance to play some laser tag for anyone aged four and upwards.
For SEN children, they organise dedicated SEND events every month.
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On-site is a cafe where they offer healthy meals and snacks. On their website, they specifically say everything is oven baked and not fried.
They have everything from pizza to pasta, paninis, sausages and jacket potatoes.
But they do offer tasty teats too like ice cream milkshakes.
Tickets cost £7.50 for adults, for children between one and three it’s £13.50.
For children between four and 17, it’s £16.50, and for babies (under 12 months), it’s £6.
They also offer saver days, which you can check on their calendar, where they offer 20 per cent off with entry before 2pm.
They also offer 40 per cent off after 2pm, Monday to Thursday, from January to November.
We also found a indoor and outdoor play centre with splash zones and zip lines.
And a train station with a little-known family zone.
This is the best-kept secret playground
Belton House is home to a huge playground with £2 tickets…
Belton House offers free admission for children under five, is home to what is officially the National Trust‘s largest outdoor kid’s adventure playground.
Open daily, it features incredible wooden constructions set in an ancient wilderness, within which little ones can explore by swinging, climbing and jumping their way through obstacles.
There are rope bridges, long slides and swings among the many playtime options, which cater to a range of ages and abilities.
One of playground highlights is the opportunity to ride in a miniature train, which usually operates Friday to Sunday or every day during Lincolnshire school holidays.
Tickets cost £2 for adults and £1.50 for children, all proceeds of which are channelled back into keeping the teeny rail service running.
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