Quick Info

📍 Location: Church St, Great Chesterford, Saffron Walden CB10, UK

🕒 Day & Time: Wednesday, 9:30am – 11:00am

👶 Age: Newborns to approx. 5 years

💷 Price: £3 per family (cash or contactless tap available)

🟣 Booking: No booking required – just turn up

🟡 Term-time only: Yes

At a Glance

Best for: New mums needing a gentle, supportive space + little ones who enjoy music and varied play
Vibe: Warm, nurturing, community-led
Session style: Free play → short Bible story → music & parachute time → more play
Siblings welcome? Yes – mixed ages happily play together
Planning difficulty: Easy (no booking, small parking consideration)

What It’s Like

Building Blocks is one of those genuinely heart-warming sessions.

It’s run by a team of lovely retired church volunteers who are there every single week with the simple aim of looking after both the children and the grown-ups. If you’re new, they’ll often take your little one for a moment, get you a coffee, and gently introduce you to other mums. It’s very much a “you’re safe here” kind of environment — which, especially in those early newborn weeks, can mean everything.

The church itself gets completely transformed. Different toy stations are set up around the space — ride-ons, Play-Doh, role play, baby toys, puzzles — so children can wander and explore at their own pace.

Midway through, everyone gathers for a short Bible story followed by nursery rhymes and live guitar sing-along. Then comes the absolute highlight for many of the kids: the giant colourful play parachute filled with light plastic balls. Parents hold the edges while music plays, lifting and floating it as the balls bounce and the children dance underneath. It’s chaotic in the best possible way.

Afterwards, musical instruments are scattered across the floor and children can either join in or head back to free play.

And throughout it all? Tea and coffee are flowing.

Parking + Practical Bits

🚗 Parking: There’s no parent parking directly outside. The road beside the church is narrow and mainly used by the volunteers setting up. It’s best to park a little further down Church Street and walk back.

🚼 Facilities: Toilets and baby changing available inside.

🧺 Prams: Plenty of room inside to park buggies once you’re in.

💳 Payment: £3 per family, with contactless tap option if you don’t have cash.

Walden Weekly Tip

If you’re in the thick of new-mum overwhelm, this is a particularly lovely first group to try. The volunteers genuinely look after you — not just your baby.

Arriving around 9:20am gives you a few calm minutes to grab a drink before things get busy.