Parc

You’d think a place like this would be my idea of hell, but I have to admit I was really impressed with the facilities at Parc — it’s too bad they didn’t have play areas like this when I was a kid!
I’d never be privy to playgrounds if it weren’t for my beloved’s two year daughter, who tires herself out by running endlessly from tunnel to slide and back again. I can’t wait until she’s a bit older so I can live vicariously through her as she tears through Parc on the zip wire…
After chasing her around screaming for half an hour, I needed some sort of refreshment (I realised this is neither the time nor the place for a pint), but luckily, Parc has this covered as well, selling coffees and canned drinks, as well as hot dogs and even packs of Oreos (yes!).
The best time to go is on a Sunday morning, where you’ll pretty much have the place to yourself; otherwise get ready for an onslaught of families and hyperactive children, which isn’t so bad, if you can be all Zen about it like the kind lady working the snack hut who simply says, «You don’t even hear the screaming after a while — it’s like white noise».

Located on an industrial estate between a welders workshop and site for building materials, this perky lime green warehouse stands out a mile. Yummy mummies and their 4×4’s stream in and out of the well guarded gates and high walls that lead to a sanitary paradise of indoor-​outdoor adventure.
Parc (Welsh for park) is marketed as an ‘all weather playground’ and it divvies up as two thirds indoors and one third out. The outdoor bit has a fantastic sandy ‘beach’ area, with large wooden boat complete with pirate flags. In-​between the in and the outdoors there is a zip wire, water play area, two swings and a large slide. Inside there are two ‘tube’ slides, wooden adventure walkway with bridges and ropes and a toddlers area aimed at the 1 – 4’s. The facilities include a café area, lots of seating throughout and toilets.
I love the little touches such as the double-​seater stripy deckchairs. In winter the heated café area, with clear views of the toddlers area, is the place to be.
I have to admit it I’ve had my eye on this place from the outset. We live across the river from Parc and when I saw the sign go up wizzed over for a preview. I met the builders (our new, but temporary neighbours) and came back with a carboot full of wood offcuts for the burner. I thought — «a wooden playground on an industrial estate? I like!»
…And I still do, but as I mentioned earlier I do find this type of indoor ‘gated’ playground a little too sanitary for my taste and in many ways prefer taking my toddler to the beach or the park — But shock horror what if it rains?! A: I just let him get wet. Another small gripe, it seems that there is a small jump from toddler to confident child in terms of the equipment on offer. There could be more for the 3 – 6’s here I feel.
All in all well worth a visit, good place to hang out with your mummy mates. Bring your own picnic, sit down, chillax and have a natter… ok if you’ve got an under 5 that mayyy not happen!
Opening hours: Weekdays 10am — 6:30pm last entry 5pm, weekends & school holidays 10am — 6pm last entry 4:30pm
Cost: Adults £1.50 peak, £1 off peak. Children £5 peak, £3.50 off peak, reductions for more than 1 child.
Note: Parties catered for — but pre-​book.
Also note: Visits are limited to 2.5 hours on very busy day (but that’s about right anyway)
Tip: As you can imagine it gets busy during school holidays and after school
Tip: Free wifi
Top tip: Walk, train it or cycle and get 50p off!