Quick Info

📍 Location: Shire Hill, Saffron Walden (first left as you enter Shire Hill Road, car park at the end)

🕒 General Soft Play: Open all year round

🌙 Tiny Tots: Tuesday, 10:30–11:30am (term time only)

📚 Read & Rhyme: Thursday, 10:00–10:30am (term time only)

👶 Age: Tiny Tots (0–2) | Read & Rhyme (0–5) | Main soft play best suited to walkers & climbers

💷 Price: Tiny Tots £4 | Read & Rhyme £8 | General soft play varies by age/day

🟣 Booking: Not required for general entry or weekly classes

🟡 Holiday events: Some special events require booking / limited numbers

🚗 Parking: On-site (approx. 10 spaces). Parking warden in operation — QR code registration required.

🧦 Shoes: Socks only in play area (grippy socks recommended)

🍽 Food: Café on site (not included in entry price). Nut-free environment. No outside food except water.

At a Glance

Best for: Rainy days, toddlers needing to burn energy, secure indoor play

Vibe: Clean, secure, busy-but-organised

Space size: Large indoor soft play centre

Parking difficulty: Moderate–Stressful in peak times

Buggy access: Easy (ramp entrance, space near tables)

Sells out? No booking system, but car park fills quickly

Planning difficulty: Moderate

What It’s Like

Just Play is one of the only proper indoor soft play venues locally, so in rain or school holidays it gets busy fast.

It’s noticeably cleaner than many soft plays. Staff are constantly wiping down equipment, kitchen areas are locked off, and the exit is controlled by large electric gates that only staff can open — so it feels very secure.

Inside there are two main soft play areas.

The larger two-tier structure is ideal for confident walkers and climbers. It has a big slide, monkey swing, climbing cubes and see-through floors that children love running across.

To the left is a toddler-focused section with smaller slides, soft steps, foam rockers (spaceships and frogs), hoppers (including a triceratops), and interactive wall features. It’s slower-paced and better suited to wobblers.

Around the room you’ll also find giant Connect 4, Duplo, a big train set, dollhouses, occasional drawing tables, a basketball hoop, and a small enclosed carpeted play area with a safety door that parents open and close themselves.

Tables are spread throughout the space. If you’re planning to work while your child plays, arrive early — only the left-hand booths have plug sockets, plus a few wall desks dotted around.

Session Flow

Tiny Tots (Tuesday 10:30–11:30 | £4 | 0–2 years)
Held in the Whisper Room — a calm sensory space with:

• Stars and a giant moon on the ceiling

• Fish tanks

• Ocean or night-sky projections

• Bean bags

• Book nook

• High-quality sensory toys arranged in a circle
  

Free play only — no singing or structured story.

Structure level: Low

Your £4 entry also gives access to the full soft play afterwards (though most little ones head off for naps before too long).

Read & Rhyme (Thursday 10:00–10:30 | £8 | 0–5 years)

Free play plus group reading and rhymes.

Structure level: Medium–High

More lively and energetic. Better suited to confident walkers or toddlers who enjoy noise and interaction.

Parking & Access

There are around 10 parking spaces on site.

A parking warden system is in operation and your licence plate is captured automatically. You must scan the weekly QR code inside and enter your registration.

It’s not made hugely obvious at first, and it can feel like a faff — but it was introduced because non-customers were using the car park, preventing soft play visitors from parking.

If you receive a fine and were genuinely attending, Just Play will resolve it if you email them the fine and proof of attendance.

In busy periods (rain, school holidays, class times), it’s wise to arrive early. Parking around Shire Hill isn’t ideal if the main car park is full, so ringing ahead during peak times can save stress.

There is a ramp for easy access.
Buggies are welcome and can be parked near tables.

In wet or snowy weather, coats and shoes must be removed in the foyer.

Socks only inside the play area.

Facilities

Two large toilets with generous changing facilities, including:

• Pull-down changing tables

• Step stools for sinks

• Clip-on potty seats

The café (food provided by Phil’s Café) serves good coffee and allergy-conscious options.

Food is not included in entry prices and is considered expensive by many families.

Nut-free environment — no outside food allowed (water permitted).

Booking Reality

No booking required for:

• General soft play

• Tiny Tots

• Read & Rhyme

However, special holiday events may require booking and can have limited numbers.

Because it’s one of the only indoor venues locally, it can feel busy and boisterous during school holidays.

Planning score: Moderate

Walden Weekly Tip

If you prefer it slightly quieter, try around lunchtime — many families leave then due to food costs. And don’t forget to scan that QR code before you sit down.

JustPlay Soft-play

A popular, structured Monday stay-and-play in the heart of town, with snack, story and songs to finish.