Do we need to book ahead, or can we just turn up?

You must book your visit in advance online via their booking system. This means you cannot turn up on the day without a reservation.

Is there somewhere to eat, or should we bring a picnic?

There is a restaurant and coffee shop on site, so you can buy food and drink during your visit. A picnic is not necessary, though you may still choose to bring one.

Which ages get the most out of the Play Barn?

The soft-play facility is designed for babies, toddlers and preschool-aged children. The venue is best suited to the under-5s age group.

Is the Play Barn suitable if it rains?

Yes, the Play Barn is indoors and is specifically a rainy-day venue, so bad weather will not affect your visit. It is also fully air-conditioned.

Is there parking, and is it close to the entrance?

Parking is confirmed at the venue. The page does not specify how far the car park is from the Play Barn entrance.

Craft Nurseries Play Barn

Soft Play & Indoor Play · Colchester, Essex

No reviews yet

Open now — closes 5pm

🏠 Indoor & outdoor0–11–33–5🛝 Soft play🐐 AnimalsAdventure playBirthday partiesBooking required☔ Rainy-day friendly

What’s there

Café on site
Free parking
Birthday parties

Large free garden centre car park with space for over 90 cars.

Only facilities we’ve confirmed are listed — anything missing here we simply haven’t checked, rather than know to be absent.

Craft Nurseries Play Barn is the indoor soft-play centre at family-run Craft Nurseries Garden Centre on Harwich Road, Lawford. Little ones can run free on the air-conditioned soft play frame with obstacles and slides, while adults can relax knowing they cannot leave without you. Entry also includes access to the outdoor area with a bouncy cushion, pygmy goats, witches wood and a mud kitchen. There is a restaurant and coffee shop on site in the garden centre. Socks are required for all visitors, babies aged 0-6 months go free, and all visits must be booked in advance online.

Questions parents ask

Do we need to book ahead, or can we just turn up?: You must book your visit in advance online via their booking system. This means you cannot turn up on the day without a reservation.
Is there somewhere to eat, or should we bring a picnic?: There is a restaurant and coffee shop on site, so you can buy food and drink during your visit. A picnic is not necessary, though you may still choose to bring one.
Which ages get the most out of the Play Barn?: The soft-play facility is designed for babies, toddlers and preschool-aged children. The venue is best suited to the under-5s age group.
Is the Play Barn suitable if it rains?: Yes, the Play Barn is indoors and is specifically a rainy-day venue, so bad weather will not affect your visit. It is also fully air-conditioned.
Is there parking, and is it close to the entrance?: Parking is confirmed at the venue. The page does not specify how far the car park is from the Play Barn entrance.

Stuff to take with you

The things people wish they’d packed for a day out like this one.

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Photos: 維基小霸王, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Schekinov Alexey Victorovich, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Sockiplast67, CC BY-SA 4.0 · John Morgan, CC BY 2.0

Reviews

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Plan your visit

Price: £5–15 · adults £3.00, children £7.50
Baby (0-6 months) FREE; younger child (7-23 months) GBP 4.00; child (2+) GBP 7.50; adult GBP 3.00 (all adults require a ticket). Visits must be booked in advance online via the digitickets portal.
Good for: 0–5 yrs
Where: 34 Harwich Road, Lawford, Manningtree, CO11 2LS
Phone: 07368 695261
Website: craftnurseries.co.uk