Quick Info

📍 Location: New Life Pentecostal Church, 9 Shire Hill, Saffron Walden, CB11 3AQ
🕒 Day & Time: Wednesday, 10:00–11:30am
👶 Age: 0–4s
💷 Price: £3 per family
🟣 Booking: No booking needed — just turn up
🟡 Term-time only: Yes — runs during school term times

At a Glance

Best for: Parents and carers wanting an easy, relaxed midweek play session and a chance to meet others
Vibe: Friendly, welcoming and community-focused
Space size: Two indoor playrooms + separate snack room + outdoor play space (weather permitting)
Parking difficulty: Easy — good on-site parking
Buggy access: Step-free and straightforward
Sells out? No — relaxed drop-in
Planning difficulty: Very easy

What It’s Like

New Life Baby & Toddler Group is a simple, no-stress Wednesday morning option that’s especially lovely for new mums (or anyone needing to get out of the house and see another adult).

There’s a wide range of toys set up across two rooms, with enough space for crawlers to potter and toddlers to properly play. When the weather allows, they also open up access to an outdoor play area with sand and ride-on toys, which makes it feel more like a proper outing.

There’s usually a small craft activity running, and partway through the session there’s a snack time for the children. For the grown-ups, there are hot drinks available — and often cake, which honestly always helps.

People locally describe it as very welcoming and easy to walk into, even if you don’t know anyone. It’s the kind of group where you can quietly sit with your baby or toddler, or jump straight into conversation if you’re craving company.

Parking + Practical Bits

Parking is one of the big positives here. The church has good on-site parking, and parents say they’ve never had an issue getting a space — even on busier mornings. That alone makes it feel like a low-effort option when you’re tired or juggling multiple little ones.

The building is easy to access with a buggy, and there’s space to leave coats and bags without it feeling cramped.

How to Contact

No booking needed — just turn up on Wednesday mornings during term time. You can also check their Facebook page for any updates or changes to sessions.

Walden Weekly Tip

If you’re brand new and feeling a bit nervous, try arriving at the start of the session. It’s usually calmer in the first 10–15 minutes, which makes it easier to settle in and have a quick chat before things get more lively.

New Life Church

A relaxed, welcoming Wednesday morning stay-and-play with easy parking, simple crafts, snacks and plenty of space for babies and toddlers to explore.