Lollipops Play Cafe in Westbourne is a soft play centre designed specifically for babies and children up to around seven years old. It occupies a converted church hall, featuring a three-storey play frame with slides, platforms and bridges, alongside a café serving homemade food suitable for young children and their carers. This page covers the play facilities, café offerings, visiting details including opening hours and pricing, party options, and how Lollipops fits into the wider family leisure scene in Bournemouth.
What facilities does Lollipops Play Cafe offer for young children?
Lollipops Play Cafe centres on a large, multi-level soft play frame housed under the high vaulted ceiling of the former church hall on Westbourne’s St Michael’s Road. The play structure has three floors linked by steps, bridges and slides, providing toddlers and children up to about seven years with safe spaces to climb, explore and develop motor skills. The soft surfaces and enclosed design ensure a secure environment for little ones to play freely under parental supervision.
In addition to the play frame, there is a dedicated baby area with age-appropriate toys and soft mats, catering to the youngest visitors who are not yet mobile or just beginning to crawl. This space allows babies to engage safely in sensory play while parents relax nearby.
The café area runs alongside the play zone, with seating arranged so carers can keep an eye on their children while enjoying refreshments. The venue is designed to be welcoming and accessible, with pushchair access and baby changing facilities available on site.
Children aged eight and over are permitted to visit Lollipops but are not allowed on the play equipment, ensuring the focus remains on younger age groups. The environment is calm and family-friendly, making it a popular spot for local parents and carers.
What food and drink does the café serve?
The café at Lollipops Play Cafe offers a homemade menu tailored to families with young children. Options include freshly made sandwiches, toasted paninis, and warm toasties, prepared daily on site. There are also weaning platters designed for babies transitioning to solid foods, featuring soft finger foods and purees.
Baby food pouches are available for convenience, alongside a selection of hot and cold drinks for adults and children. The café caters to dietary requirements where possible, with vegetarian and gluten-free choices on the menu.
The food is priced reasonably to encourage families to stay for a relaxed lunch or snack during their play session. The café also serves cakes and biscuits, popular with both children and accompanying adults.
Seating is arranged to accommodate groups of various sizes, from solo carers to larger family gatherings. The atmosphere is informal and child-friendly, with high chairs and booster seats provided.
How to visit Lollipops Play Cafe: opening times, pricing and booking
Lollipops Play Cafe operates casual soft play sessions primarily on weekdays. The opening hours for walk-in sessions are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am to 3pm, and Tuesday from 10am to 3pm. No advance booking is required for these sessions, allowing families flexibility to drop in during these times.
Weekends are reserved exclusively for private party bookings, so the play area is closed to casual visitors on Saturdays and Sundays.
Admission fees are tiered by age to reflect the different levels of use:
| Age Group | Admission Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Under 12 months | Free | Includes access to baby area |
| 12 months to 7 years | £5.50 | Full use of play frame |
| 8 years and over | Free | No play equipment access |
| Adults (carers) | Free | Accompanying children |
Payment is by card only; cash is not accepted on site.
Lollipops also offers baby and toddler classes during the week, focusing on early development activities. These require advance booking and run separately from casual play sessions.
What party options does Lollipops Play Cafe provide?
Lollipops Play Cafe is a popular venue for young children’s birthday parties, offering exclusive use of the play area and café during party times. Private party bookings are available on weekends and some weekday afternoons outside normal play hours.
Party packages include:
- Exclusive access to the three-storey play frame and baby play area
- Party food tailored for children, including sandwiches, snacks and drinks
- A small disco with music and party games
- Dedicated staff support during the event
- Invitations and decorations can be arranged on request
Parties typically last around 90 minutes to two hours, allowing time for play, food and celebration. Booking well in advance is advised, especially for weekend dates.
The venue’s location in Westbourne makes it convenient for local families, with parking available nearby on streets such as Poole Hill and Ashley Road.
How does Lollipops Play Cafe fit into family activities in Bournemouth?
Lollipops Play Cafe provides a reliable indoor play option for families with young children, especially useful during wet weather or colder months. Its focus on under-sevens distinguishes it from larger soft play centres that cater to older children.
Westbourne itself is a family-friendly neighbourhood with shops, cafés and parks within walking distance, such as the nearby Boscombe Chine Gardens. Families staying in the area can combine a visit to Lollipops with outdoor activities or trips to Bournemouth’s beaches, which stretch seven miles along the coast.
For more ideas on family outings, the site’s guide to things to do in Bournemouth offers a range of attractions and activities suitable for all ages, including museums, gardens and seasonal events.
Getting to Lollipops Play Cafe and nearby facilities
Lollipops Play Cafe is located on St Michael’s Road in Westbourne, approximately 1.5 miles east of Bournemouth town centre. It is accessible by bus routes serving Westbourne from the town and Poole, with stops on Ashley Road and Westbourne Road within a short walk.
For those driving, on-street parking is available on surrounding roads, including Poole Hill and Ashley Road, though spaces can be limited at peak times. The area is also suitable for cycling, with local cycle lanes connecting Westbourne to Bournemouth town.
Nearby facilities include public toilets at Westbourne Library and several cafés and shops along Westbourne Road, making it easy to combine a visit to Lollipops with other errands or family activities.
Who is Lollipops Play Cafe best suited for?
Lollipops Play Cafe is ideal for parents, carers and grandparents with babies, toddlers and young children up to around seven years old. Its soft play equipment is designed for early years development, offering safe climbing, sliding and imaginative play.
The café’s menu and facilities cater well to families needing a convenient place for lunch or snacks during playtime. The venue’s calm atmosphere suits children who may find larger, noisier play centres overwhelming.
It is less suitable for older children or those seeking more physically challenging play equipment. Children aged eight and over may visit but cannot use the play frame, so it is primarily a destination for younger families.
Overall, Lollipops Play Cafe complements Bournemouth’s range of family attractions by providing an accessible, indoor play and refreshment space focused on early childhood.