Buffy Bus

Quick Info

• 📍 Location: Saffron Walden, Great Chesterford, Newport and further afield

• 🕒 Day & Time:
  - Monday: GC 11:15 – 12:30pm, SW 1:30 – 3:00pm
  - Wednesday: SW 9:15 – 10:30am, NP 11:15 – 12:30pm

• 👶 Age: Under 5s (learning to walk & upwards)

• 💷 Price: Free, donations welcomed

• 🟣 Booking: Available but not required

• 🥨 Snack Included: Yes

• 🟡 Term-time only: Yes
  
  

• Best for: Toddlers who like exploring and imaginative play

• Vibe: Lively but friendly; sociable for carers

• Space size: Small but cleverly divided across two levels

• Parking difficulty: On street parking at all locations

• Buggy access: Buggies parked outside

• Sells out?: Unlikely (booking optional though)

• Planning difficulty: 4/10 — fixed weekly slots and flexible attendance
  
  

Locations & Times

Great Chesterford
Jacksons Lane, Great Chesterford, CB10 1PU
Day: Monday
Time: 11:15am – 12:30pm

Saffron Walden – Leverett Way
Leverett Way, Saffron Walden, CB10 2NG
Day: Monday
Time: 1:30pm – 3:00pm

Saffron Walden – Cromwell Road
Cromwell Road, Saffron Walden, CB11 4BE
Day: Wednesday
Time: 9:15am – 10:30am

Newport
Bury Water Lane, Newport, Saffron Walden, CB11 3TZ
Day: Wednesday
Time: 11:15am – 12:30pm

The bus travels between stops, so arrival times can occasionally shift slightly due to traffic. Social media updates are reliable.
At a Glance

What It’s Like

The Buffy Bus is aimed at toddlers rather than young babies. It works best once children are confidently walking and keen to explore, and it attracts a mix of parents, grandparents and childminders.

Downstairs usually focuses on messy play or crafts — often painting, sand play or simple creative activities. Upstairs is a contained soft play area with a ball pit, ride-ons, dressing-up, books and toys, plus seating where adults can sit and chat while keeping an eye on children.

What makes it work is the contained environment combined with the relaxed feel. Because it’s free and booking isn’t required, it’s easy to try — though sessions can feel busy during peak weeks.

Session Flow

Activities available:

• Soft play & ball pit

• Toys and ride-ons

• Dressing up

• Books and role-play areas

• Craft or messy play station (downstairs)

Snack: Yes, Fruit & veg snack provided
Structure level: Free play

Parking & Access

• Closest parking: On-street or nearby residential parking at each stop

• Walk time: Typically parked within easy reach of residential areas

• Buggy tip: Bring a rain cover — buggies remain outside the bus

• Toilets/changing: Toilet and changing available onboard

• Outdoor space: No dedicated outdoor play (all activity contained on the bus)
  
  

Booking Reality

• How to book: Optional advance booking via website

• How fast it fills: Fluctuates but we've never been turned away

• Planning score: 3/10 — very easy to attend
  
  

Walden Weekly Tip

If you're new, arrive a few minutes early — it’s relaxed, but once the bus fills up it naturally feels busier. And there’s no need to panic if the bus hasn’t arrived exactly on time; it’s travelling between villages and occasionally navigating traffic. They’re very good at updating their social pages if there are delays or if they can’t make a particular stop.

A travelling double-decker play bus offering soft play, toys and crafts for toddlers and preschoolers in a contained, parent-friendly space.