things to do in luton town centre

[chicca]

Coming from sunny Spain to Luton this weekend for a wedding and looking for ways to keep DS1 (4) and DS2 (1) amused. Can't stray too far from the town centre as we have limited time but definitely need to find some soft play perhaps (as it's going to be soo cold theis weekend). Anyone know of anywhere?

Im in Dunstable, which is a small town next to Luton.

Sadly I do not think there are any soft play centres in the town centre, there is one on Luton/Dunstable Borders, one at dunstable recreation Centre and a snakes and ladders in Houghton Regis. All of these about a 15-290 min drive away.

I will have a look at local sports centres in Luton and see if they have any.

Failing that the only place I can think of to keep littlies amused is the Museum at Wardown Park (10 min walk from town centre)

As I thought no soft play centres in Luton

someone should open one.

For soft play, go to Harpenden - Big Space. If you go to on the airport bus to Luton Parkway station, then 1 stop on train or bus/ taxi (only 10 mins) to Harpenden. Big Space is in Southdown www.bigspace.biz

Actually we are hiring a car so could get to harpenden that way. In the meantime I've booked Santa's Grotto at the Arndale Centre! What's that like?

The only probelm with big space is the parking (there are very few places)

ruby - I was gonna say catching the bus outta there!

Luton town centre is truly awful. The best thing you can do is leave it as quickly as possible.

Soft play in Harpenden (do-able by bus, train, walk) is hell on earth at the weekend. Tbh I wouldn't go with children the age of yours. It will be overrun with older ones having birthday parties. We were there a couple of weekends ago and I felt safety was rather compromised in a few areas (accident waiting to happen imo).

Best thing you could do is stay at the airport and watch aeroplanes. Or escape by car to somewhere nicer - Harpenden, St Albans (further but more to see - great park and playground), even Hitchin. Not masses to do in any of those places but you can have nice walks.

How much time do you have? id it is a few hours the zoo at Whipsnade is fab.

If not id, obviously.

Do you have reasonably well behaved children? You could go to Luton Hoo (luxury hotel just outside Luton) and have afternoon tea. It is very nice (in an ornate OTT sort of way) with lovely real fires. And you can walk in the huge grounds too.

Lots of families with young children there last time I went.

There is a nice swimming pool in hitchen

sadly ohdearwhatamess I have terribly behaved boys which is a shame as the Hoo sounds lovely!
Wedding is at the auction house in luton at 2.30 so have the morning to play with and that's it. Need to allow a bit of time to get dolled up obviously.
What about Woodside Park - any good?

Would love to go to Whipsnade but fear dragging DS1 away would be too harsh!

LOL - I had to make a hasty retreat from Luton Hoo with a tired and grumpy ds1.

Woodside Park not worth visiting, imo. Only been once (on someone's recommendation), can't imagine ever going back.

Far, far better is Verulamium at St Albans (20 mins down the M1). Lovely park, huge duck pond, brilliant childrens' playground (easily the best in this part of the world), Roman remains, OK cafe. And the city centre are nice too.

I'm told there's a good park in Harpenden, but can't remember the name.

Have to disagree about the swimming pool at Hitchin (unless it has changed recently). We live near there but go to Luton or Letchworth to swim. Pool is fine, but the changing rooms are awful (stench of urine, blocked loos, cold showers).

city centre is nice Too much wine...

im with ruby!

Ignore me on Woodside Park. I was mixing it up with Wardown Park in my mind.

Woodside is OK. Mostly outside. Ds1 likes it. It makes me feel rather uneasy (animals in small enclosures). Quite pricey for what it is. Willows at St Albans does the same sort of thing but better, although Woodside is obviously more convenient.

Or what about the new-ish discovery centre in Luton - Stockwood park. Loads of space for even the most boistrous kids, and new enough not to have got tatty yet. And free!

new soft play in marshfarm opposite the market area big orange building and cheap kids loved it when i took them!

I imagine the OP has solved her problem by now healthcoach- thread is 2.5 years old.

I'm glad to hear cheap kids like the soft play though!