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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Cat Cafe (Ambleside, Cumbria)

16 replies

overnightangel · 10/12/2019 23:45

Hope this doesn’t seem like promoting a business I’m certainly not doing anything stealthy! I don’t know what the general mumsnet view is on these places?
Anyway... went to a cat cafe for first time with a friend today, always been a bit wary/curious, but what a beautiful lovely place! We were told of the rules on going in, the cats (7 of them) all seemed so happy and at home, all rescues, their individual stories were all framed on the wall, we had to buzz in and out, the food and teas/coffees were lovely, it was such a lovely place 😊

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Toddlerteaplease · 11/12/2019 06:45

I've been to the ones In Nottingham and Liverpool. I'm not keen on the Nottingham one as it's very busy and lots of children. I prefer the Liverpool one as it's over three floors so quieter and they don't allow children under ten. Unless in a special session. I'm not sure how I feel about the whole concept. But all the cats do seem happy.

I discovered the one in Hawkshead by chance a few weeks ago. I agree that all the cats are well cared for and happy. All other cafes I've been too have an airlock system to stop the cats escaping. That one doesn't, they've been lucky so far that none have escaped. When I went, one of the ragdolls was making determined attempts to escape! The food was great and I went on the ghost walk in the evening which was really good.

Stupiddriver1 · 11/12/2019 07:04

I like the nottingham one. The cats seem happy and they have lots of high up Places to get Out the way, etc. Though a couple investigated my shopping and were in my shopping bags! Grin. There are lots of kids but strict rules about not being allowed to approach the cats, etc which is good. You have to wait to let the cats come to you if they choose to.

Toddlerteaplease · 11/12/2019 11:24

I always find that none of the cars want to play with me, when I go to any of them.

MrsArdvark · 11/12/2019 19:11

Oh I love a good Cat Cafe! I was in Turin briefly for work in September. It was 2 weeks after we lost our beloved cat, and I was desperate for cat cuddles to console me, so I went to the Cat cafe there. Photo of my very relaxed and rather portly lunch companion..........

Cat Cafe (Ambleside, Cumbria)
ScreamingValalalalahLalalalah · 11/12/2019 19:14

Out of interest, what are the rules?

I don't think there's a cat cafe anywhere near me.

MrsArdvark · 11/12/2019 19:20

I think they're all a bit different. I should have specified, with the Turin one, the cats have their own room/s with comfy beds etc, and a catflap into the cafe, and they only come out if they want to, so I thought it was fine from an animal welfare point of view. They did also have sleeping perches and beds in the cafe, but this one just preferred the table!!

Vinorosso74 · 11/12/2019 19:44

There's a lovely one in North London. It's over 2 floors and they limit the number of people and kids at a given time. Mind you my 9yo is more sensible around cats than a lot of adults!
The cats have places high up and downstairs there is a cat flap to a room for their toilet breaks and if they want to have some peace. One never appeared when we went.
The staff tell you their names (there's also photos) and something about their personalities. The main rules I remember were not to feed them or pick them up which should be common sense.
That one in Turin looks like it eats all the leftovers!

Toddlerteaplease · 11/12/2019 22:46

Yes, you can't pick them up at all, or disturb them if they are asleep. There are rooms they can escape too and lots of high places.

Original poster
overnightangel · 11/12/2019 23:57

The rules are as pp said, no picking up or feeding, but can stroke them, let them come to you. It was a nice vibe at the hawkshead/Ambleside one, it was quiet but the staff were vigilant whenever having to go thru the door.
When we left about 230 it was evidently communal nap-time 😂

Cat Cafe (Ambleside, Cumbria)
Cat Cafe (Ambleside, Cumbria)
Cat Cafe (Ambleside, Cumbria)
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Toddlerteaplease · 12/12/2019 11:30

The owners said they want it it to be a normal cafe/bar, just with cats. So you don't have to book or have a time limit.

Toddlerteaplease · 12/12/2019 11:31

One of the cats was curled up asleep on a mans knee. I was very jealous!

ScreamingValalalalahLalalalah · 12/12/2019 19:57

I think I would struggle not to approach and stroke the cats Sad.

Original poster
overnightangel · 12/12/2019 21:51

You can approach them if they’re awake 😊

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silly0ne · 13/12/2019 07:10

Lovely cat cafe in York. I go there with my son who is fascinated by cats. You can play with the cats and stroke them, but they have exits down to their cat den in the basement, if they need to have some peace.

Mumof1andacat · 13/12/2019 07:15

If ever anyone comes south there is a lovely cat cafe in romsey Hampshire.all rescue cats. They is one there who only has one eye who is so very sweet

Original poster
overnightangel · 13/12/2019 22:15

The ones in Ambleside are all rescues too, all have their photos and stories on the wall , it’s lovely.
The escape to the quiet room for the cats sounds like a great idea @silly0ne 🙂

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