ONE spot in the capital dubs itself ‘London’s quirkiest church’ because inside you’ll find a soft play – and a fully stocked bar for the parents.
Inside St James Church in West Hampstead, London, you will find the Sherriff Centre.
Rather unusually, the venue is a blend of different things including a post office, children’s soft play centre, cafe and even a stationery shop.
The soft play area – called Hullabaloo – spans one side of the church and features all you would expect of a soft play centre.
In the section for kids aged between two and 10-years-old, there are three levels featuring two slides, crawl tunnels and hidey holes.
The soft play also has separate sections for babies up to 23 months with a ball pit, puzzles and games and a sensory mirror.
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There are also SEN sessions available, and the venue is available for private party hire.
The Sanctuary Cafe and Bar serves cake, coffee and even wine.
Even though the venue doesn’t serve more than snacks, it has teamed up with Pizza Bun London in Hampstead for an exclusive offer for visitors heading to the soft play.
The soft play is open each day between 9am and 5pm, with the last booking at 4pm.
But there are Play Late sessions too, where kids can play as parents enjoy a glass of wine at the bar.
The next Play Late session is March 20, followed by April 10 and May 22.
Tickets cost £5.50 for babies or £7.50 for juniors and adults go free.
The centre also runs weekly baby and toddler classes such as Petite Performers, with ballet and dancing.
Sometimes there are Sofar Sounds live music events on at the church too.
Memberships are available for the soft play, with a babies membership costing £15 per month for four sessions.
A Bronze membership then costs £10 a month for two soft play sessions, Silver costs £20 a month for three sessions, a 10 per cent discount at the cafe and early access to book event tickets.
Finally, a Gold membership costing £40 per month, gets you six soft play sessions, a 10 per cent discount at the café, two Sofar Sounds tickets and early access to book event tickets.
The soft play is just a couple of minutes’ walking from West Hampstead underground and train stations.
It isn’t the only church to have something unusual inside…
In Redbridge, London, a swimming pool described as “magical” can be found in an old hospital church.
It is a Virgin Active gym now with a 24-metre pool as well as showers, hot tub and steam room.
For more places to take your kids, a travel expert shares the best free London attractions for kids.
Plus, the English counties with the most free family activities from pony sanctuaries and steam railways to soft plays.
