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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think if I have paid £29 for 4 of us to get into an 'all weather family play centre

51 replies

lecce · 02/01/2011 20:01

I should not have to sit in a fucking freezing barn with only filthy, undrinkable coffee available. I am a bit of a coffee snob but I would have given anything for a Starbucks or a Costas instead of stuff from a machine, the like of which I have seen in offices etc with coffee costing 20p.

Why not cater for the parents a little, is it too much to ask? Some lovely cakes, not kitkats and mars bars, I'm not 14.

And turn the fucking heating on.

And breathe...

OP posts:
goldenbirdies · 02/01/2011 21:12

Never mind lecce - I don't know why you're getting an MN smugging here but it's not worth taking to heart. Make yourself a decent cup of coffee and forget it.

JemimaMop · 02/01/2011 21:13

Most of these places are incredibly expensive when you look at what you get for your money though.

There is one not far from us, it is a farm (read a few sheep, a pony, a pig and some rabbits) with a play barn (cold, draughty and in dire need of cleaning) an outside play area (usually a muddy swamp) and a cafe (which seems to deep fry pretty much everything). It is a favourite for birthday parties. The DC do enjoy it, and I suppose it might be a novelty if you live in a town, but I hate the place. That costs about £7 per person to get in, so on a par with the one that the OP went to. Oh and the coffee is seriously dire.

SleepyCaz · 02/01/2011 21:13

south, I think I know this place and the food and drink areas are woeful. OP said she expected a bit better for the money, not that she was just in it for a posh beverage.

Lecce, was it TL? Grin

Original poster
lecce · 02/01/2011 21:16

Thanks to those who can see my point. I've had a lovely coffee and now some wine so it's all good now!

That's the one Sleepy!

OP posts:
heymango · 02/01/2011 21:16

I'm guessing it was TL too.

Just about bearable on a nice day with a picnic. Hope you didn't have to endure the lunches they offer.

TeaOneSugar · 02/01/2011 21:17

Sounds like TL to me.

I won't go there every again, last time my DD got lost in the massive soft play place for about 10 mins, felt like an hour, I aged 10 years.

ApocalypseCheeseToastie · 02/01/2011 21:19

we love this place

It's bloody good value for money, even has an old double decker bus for the kids to play on, excellent play areas, walks, animals etc and the cafe does the best coffee and cake ave ever had Xmas Wink

TeaOneSugar · 02/01/2011 21:21

The same people have a park in Devon and the one near White Post Farm.

herbietea · 02/01/2011 21:22

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ballstoit · 02/01/2011 21:24

Lecce, just be grateful that you didnt pay over the odds for rubbish burgers, only for the fire alarm to go off as you'd just sat down with them. When you were finally alowed back in, some little muppet helpful member of staff would have put your burgers in the bin, so you couldnt get them replaced fo free.

We have not been to the lovely Twinlakes since, particularly as they've massively increased the admission price without increasing the rides or attractions.

lborolass · 02/01/2011 21:25

We went on Christmas Eve (have season tickets so don't pay each time) and for the first time I was annoyed by the cafe facilities - very slow and not much choice.

I think it must be the time of year as its not normally that bad. Obviously no one visits for the quality of the coffee and cakes although I did have quite a nice piece of lemon cake last week Smile

During the winter some of the outdoor stuff is always closed but my DCs have never had a bad day there. I take a book and a flask and always enjoy a bit of a rest as the DCs can entertain themselves for ages with no input from me at all.

For those who think you're mad to pay that much for a play barn - its not a play barn, its a whole park which has indoor barn type areas, if you make a day of it with a picnic it probably works out at less than a couple of £ per hour.

MegBusset · 02/01/2011 21:27

£29 is a bloody fortune though, my local one is £10 for family of four and they have homemade cake [smug]

SleepyCaz · 02/01/2011 21:27

Lecce, I knew it!

We live in Coventry and have been to TL on a few occasions. Once in the Summer last year, which was lovely EXCEPT the food. We kept looking around for the actual 'proper' eating place. Were gutted to find it was all the same. Utterly disgusting, over priced food. The next time we went, we took our own sandwiches etc, along with us.

We went in the Winter, around this time last year and we bloody froze too, even indoors. Such a shame, and a waste of cash.

I like Hatton Country World, but no good in this weather, I guess.

Did the DC's enjoy it, at least?

Kudos on the wine, I'm indulging too :)

Dartsonwednesdays · 02/01/2011 21:28

I thought it might be TL when I read the OP. I live in the town! I usually manage to find an excuse or a distraction when the dcs ask about going there. Neither dp or I is keen on it at all, precisely because of the awful fast food, and nothing for the adults. I think we've managed to avoid going for at least a year...Grin and can nearly always find something better to do.

Original poster
lecce · 02/01/2011 21:28

Oh really, that really dodgy-looking one near White Post Farm is theirs too? Now I know to definetly avoid it.

Now it seems that everyone except me knew how dire TL is. A very good friend recommended it a while ago, I can forget about it now!

OP posts:
lborolass · 02/01/2011 21:41

Wow, I'm surprised at the strong feelings on here. Everyone I know in RL always enjoys TL.

But we nearly always take a picnic and on the rare occasions when I've bought meals the baked potatoes have been fine.

I would never expect the food to be great at any kind park like this - that's what picnics are for.

I've been going for several years now and there are loads more things to do now that there were went it first opened so I can see why the price has increased.

I've been to the Devon one as well and throughly enjoyed it although I did find pushing a pushchair hard work up all the hills.

WannabeNigella · 02/01/2011 21:52

What is TL??? Please share! It appears to be in my area and I want to avoid it lol!

SleepyCaz · 02/01/2011 21:54

Twin Lakes, Wannabe Where are you based?

herbietea · 02/01/2011 21:54

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WannabeNigella · 02/01/2011 21:55

Ah. Not been there. I'm in Derbyshire. Think Twinlakes is Melton way isn't it?

mumto2andnomore · 02/01/2011 22:01

We have been to Twinlakes many times and always had a great time, its not just a playbarn but lots of rides, farm etc too. We always take our own food though!

cat64 · 02/01/2011 22:08

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ivykaty44 · 02/01/2011 23:01

cat64, how many times have you taken your flask to a cafe and been asked not to drink your own drinks in there establishment?

better to comaplin and aks for better coffee each time then at least it will dawn on these people that good coffee is required and not shody hot water brew

ivykaty44 · 02/01/2011 23:02

Hatton country world the ball park is inside the cafe - so ideal this time of year for keeping warm

cat64 · 02/01/2011 23:15

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