JustPlay Saffron Walden

Indoor soft play, baby and toddler activities, and a café on Shire Hill

Looking for somewhere to let the little ones burn off some energy, whatever the weather? JustPlay is one of our favourite indoor options in Saffron Walden, with a large multi-level soft-play frame, dedicated spaces for younger children and a café for the grown-ups.

It's brilliant for escaping the rain, but one of our favourite things about JustPlay is actually its fantastic air conditioning. When it's unbearably hot outside during the summer, it's a lovely place to cool down while the children play.

The only downside? Everyone else has the same idea! As one of the few local places offering such a comfortable indoor escape from both extreme heat and miserable weather, it can get very busy on those days. We'd recommend arriving early, particularly if you need a parking space.

Quick Info

📍 Location: Westbrook House, Shire Hill, Saffron Walden, CB11 3AQ

🕒 Hours: Mon/Tue/Thu 9am–3pm · Wed/Fri 9am–6pm · Sat/Sun 9am–3pm (check for term-time Games Room hire)

👶 Best for: Babies, toddlers and younger children

💷 Price: From £4 (under 1s) · £8 ages 1–4 · £9 ages 5+ · adults free with child · family deals available

🟣 Booking: Soft play drop-in (selected activities may vary)

🅿️ Parking: Free customer parking with ANPR — register your number plate on the white terminal at the pay desk (left of till)

☕ Facilities: Café, toilets, baby changing, ramp access, buggy space, Whisper Room (sensory)

🥜 Food: Nut-free venue; no outside food except water

Opening Hours

Monday: 9am–3pm

Tuesday: 9am–3pm

Wednesday: 9am–6pm

Thursday: 9am–3pm

Friday: 9am–6pm

Saturday: 9am–3pm

Sunday: 9am–3pm

During term time, the Games Room is closed for private hire from 3:30–6pm on Wednesdays and Fridays. Always check for changes before visiting.

Admission Prices

Under 1s: £4 (free with an older sibling)

Ages 1–4: £8

Ages 5+: £9

Adults: Free with child admission

Two-child family deal: £15

Three-child family deal: £22

After-school admission: From £4.50 during term time

The morning activities on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays are included in standard soft-play admission. Tuesday Tiny Tots has its own £4 price for under-2s.

What's It Like?

The main soft-play area has a large, multi-level climbing structure with plenty of opportunities for climbing, crawling, exploring and sliding. It's great for more confident children who want to keep moving.

For younger visitors, there's a separate baby and toddler area with smaller equipment and additional toys.

The venue generally feels clean, secure and well organised, with staff-controlled exit gates providing extra peace of mind.

There's plenty to keep children entertained, although the larger play areas can feel quite busy during peak times.

A Lovely New Addition to the Toddler Area

One of the newest additions is a little climbing structure in the 0–4 area, and it's been a huge hit with younger visitors.

There are soft steps to climb, different levels to explore, a little cubbyhole with a window, a raised viewing platform and a slide on the right-hand side.

We've watched that slide keep little ones entertained for ages! It's a brilliant addition for toddlers gaining confidence with climbing and exploring independently.

There's also extra soft-play equipment in the carpeted room on the left, giving younger children another space to enjoy.

A little parent-to-parent reminder: The carpeted room has a door operated by a wall switch. Please make sure it closes behind you when entering or leaving. It helps keep younger children safely inside, particularly when parents are juggling babies and toddlers.

Baby-Friendly Spaces

Babies aren't forgotten at JustPlay.

Alongside the smaller soft-play equipment, there's a quieter sensory space known as the Whisper Room.

It's a calmer environment with sensory lighting, projections, fish tanks, beanbags, books and toys. A lovely option for babies who aren't yet mobile or little ones who need a break from the busier play areas.

There's ramp access into the venue and space for buggies near the tables, making things easier when you're arriving with a pram and all the usual baby paraphernalia.

Morning Activities and Classes

JustPlay also runs weekday morning activities, giving families another reason to visit beyond general soft play.

Tuesday – Tiny Tots

10:30–11:30am | Under 2s | £4 | Term time

A relaxed sensory and free-play session in the Whisper Room, where babies and younger toddlers can explore at their own pace.

It's a lovely opportunity for parents and carers to meet other families, particularly if you're looking for something a little calmer than the main soft-play area.

No booking is required, and the £4 session includes access to the general soft-play facilities afterwards.

Wednesday – Music & Movement

10:30–11am | Standard admission

A lively half-hour of action songs, dancing, movement and fun sports activities.

A great opportunity for little ones to get moving, practise coordination and join in with others.

Thursday – Read & Rhyme

10:30–11am | Standard admission

A fun morning session with singing, dancing, bubbles and stories.

Perfect for little ones who enjoy nursery rhymes, music and interactive activities.

Friday – Mini Sports Explorers

10:30–11am | Ages 18 months–4 years | Standard admission

A playful introduction to movement and simple sports activities, focusing on jumping, throwing, motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

A nice option for energetic toddlers who love getting involved.

Activities and times may change, particularly during school holidays, so check the official JustPlay activities page before visiting.

Café, Food and Facilities

There's an on-site café serving food and drinks, making it easy to turn a quick play into a longer morning out.

The seating is close to the play areas, and there are toilets and baby-changing facilities on site.

JustPlay operates a nut-free policy and asks visitors not to bring their own food, although water is permitted.

There are also plug sockets near some seating areas, which can be handy if you're visiting with another adult and need to catch up on a little work.

Parking – Definitely Read This Bit!

Parking is probably the one thing we'd recommend planning ahead for.

JustPlay is tucked away at the bottom of Shire Hill, next to Posh Wash and Fill's Café.

At the bottom of Shire Hill, turn left at Stansted House and continue to the end, just past Posh Wash.

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There's a small free customer car park, but it can fill up quickly.

Important: You must register your number plate inside JustPlay.

The car park uses ANPR monitoring. Once inside, enter your vehicle registration on the white terminal at the JustPlay pay desk, to the left of the till.

Our little tip? Take a photo of your number plate before you go in if you don't know it off by heart. It's surprisingly awkward trying to nip back out to the car when you've got an excited toddler desperate to start playing!

There's also a marked space near the bin/dumpster that must be kept clear for turning. Please don't park there, even if the rest of the car park is full.

When the main car park has been busy, we've previously found parking further down the access road near Posh Wash and the food-bank area, or on the main road. Always check local restrictions and avoid blocking access.

Our Walden Weekly Lowdown

JustPlay is a brilliant all-weather option and somewhere we regularly return to.

We particularly love it on those really hot summer days when the air conditioning is an absolute lifesaver. Equally, when it's pouring with rain and everyone needs to get out of the house, it's a fantastic place to let little ones burn off some energy.

Because there aren't many comparable indoor options locally, it can get extremely busy during both heatwaves and miserable weather. We'd recommend going early, particularly if you're visiting with a younger toddler or want to avoid the busiest periods.

The newer additions to the toddler area have made it even better for younger children, and the morning activities are a lovely bonus.

Our top tips? Remember to register your number plate, keep an eye on the reduced opening hours, and allow plenty of time for the toddler area.

That new slide might keep them entertained considerably longer than you expected!

Find Out More

JustPlay Saffron Walden

Westbrook House, Shire Hill, Saffron Walden, CB11 3AQ

Telephone: 01799 934349

Email: info@justplaysaffronwalden.com

Visit the JustPlay website

Check current classes and activities

Official website: https://www.justplaysaffronwalden.com/

Prices and hours checked late October 2026 — confirm on their site before you set off.