As soon as upon a time, I learn The Gruffalo so usually, I may quote it from reminiscence – so whereas my daughter is now a bit extra grown-up than the target market, we each jumped on the probability to relive these days for this Gruffalo Clubhouse overview throughout our go to to Blackpool.
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Model new in Might 2023, the newly opened Gruffalo Clubhouse actually is baby heaven – and I’ll admit to a good quantity of nostalgia seeing mouse, fox, owl (and the Gruffalo himself) as we stepped inside.
The official identify is The Gruffalo and Associates Clubhouse, with six themed play areas, so in case your youngsters are greater followers of among the different Julia Donaldson books, they could nicely discover their favorite inside too.
Stepping inside, there are a string of pictures from the tales to assist transport you immediately away from actual life and the Blackpool seafront, a mere Gruffalo’s leap away.
Then the indoor play journey awaits. And actually, this does deserve the outline ‘journey’ – should you go in anticipating a bit of soppy play and a slide, you’ll discover a complete lot extra, after a £2.3 million funding and 18 months of planning and work to convey it to life.
The central part of the Gruffalo Clubhouse is targeted, as you’d count on, round The Gruffalo story, taking you into the deep darkish wooden.
There are figures from the story to pose with, together with the cheeky and crafty mouse on the centre of the plot, plus The Gruffalo himself, with a lot of delighted shrieks as everybody got here head to head with the towering statue, purple prickles, toxic wart and all.
The play space has been cleverly designed too in order that it really works nicely for youthful guests, together with smaller slides and straightforward climbing choices, in addition to older siblings or braver youngsters who fancy extra of a problem.
Geared toward beneath 10s, even my 10-year-old embraced her internal preschooler and made essentially the most of with the ability to play, scampering throughout rope bridges and difficult herself to see how briskly she may get across the ‘wooden’.
It’s preferrred for letting youngsters’ imaginations run wild, making up their very own journey play and getting inventive as they concoct their very own encounter with a Gruffalo, or slim escapes from fox, owl and snake.
Subsequent door is a superb gentle play space too, one other massive hit with all ages, together with the same old climbing frames and padded obstacles to dodge.
Each of those have peak restrictions of 90-148cm to play.
The opposite play areas are themed round different tales from the gathering. For toddlers and the littlest guests, there’s a separate gated and fenced space for under-threes (and beneath 90cm), embellished with pictures from Room on the Broom.
Elsewhere, there’s an opportunity to step into the world of The Snail and The Whale, with a ball pit stuffed with blue balls, waves painted on the partitions and glow-in-the-dark illustrations.
With the whale’s story vanishing into the painted sea, and purple and blue lights illuminating this space – to not point out the actual fact you’ll find yourself half swimming by way of the balls – it’s a extremely enjoyable strategy to convey the story to life.
Followers of Zog gained’t be dissatisfied both: after posing in a bit of turret, topped by a smily Zog himself, you may head into Princess Pearl’s citadel, with extra padded climbing areas and twine bridges.
Each this and the Snail and the Whale ball pit even have a peak restriction of 90-148cm.
For extra dragon-themed days out, look out for Zog at Warwick Fortress too
Look out for different characters as you discover too, together with The Freeway Rat, dropped at life from Axel Scheffler’s much-loved illustrations. And youngsters can go from one space to the following and again once more, as a lot as they’d like – there’s no set route by way of the completely different zones.
However there’s extra than simply an opportunity to play too, with some stay exhibits working by way of the day as nicely – so sure, you’re going to get to fulfill the Gruffalo (and generally different characters too).
There’s the prospect to bounce together with the Gruffalo earlier than having your photograph taken collectively, and storytelling from a few of Julia Donaldson’s much-loved tales, together with The Smartest Large in City.
If this all seems like will probably be an excessive amount of to your baby, there’s additionally the chance for a extra stress-free and quieter play expertise within the Gruffalo’s Little one Sensory Room.
The magical winter-themed land options digital sensory play in addition to bodily play, with cozy seats disguised as boulders and tree stumps, or an opportunity to sit down again and gaze out on the icy woodland from the Gruffalo cave.
From an grownup standpoint, should you’re feeling exhausted simply studying about this, dad and mom can chill out in cozy chairs overlooking the play areas – provided that I spent an hour inside with a 10-year-old, it’s not arduous to spend so much longer with youthful youngsters, preschoolers and toddlers, so that you’ll be glad of a sit down!
There’s additionally a restaurant with child-friendly meals and treats (and low, fortunately) – the entire Gruffalo Clubhouse is a cash-free attraction, so ensure you have one other methodology of fee although.
There are additionally bathrooms and child altering, helpfully close to the cafe and the toddler play space, whereas the exits are secured with a push button system, excessive above the attain of any inquisitive little fingers.
And regardless of visiting throughout half-term, I used to be impressed at how a lot house there gave the impression to be – no limitless waits to get onto the play gear, loads of room for youthful youngsters to have enjoyable.
The decision? I actually don’t assume I’ve ever seen so many overjoyed little faces in a single place.
For extra issues to do in Blackpool with youngsters, together with Blackpool Pleasure Seashore theme park, Blackpool Tower and extra, try my high picks right here
Gruffalo Clubhouse overview: must know
Tickets for the brand new Gruffalo and Associates Clubhouse value from £12 for youths and £4.50 for adults, whereas infants beneath one enter free. Prebooking is important as numbers inside are restricted.
There are additionally multi-attraction tickets should you’re planning to go to multiple Merlin attraction, together with tickets for the Gruffalo Clubhouse and Sea Life Blackpool, in addition to tickets for the Blackpool Tower Circus and Gruffalo Clubhouse, amongst different combos.
Peter Rabbit: Discover and Play can also be close by should you fancy one other enjoyable play expertise in Blackpool with youngsters, with mixed tickets obtainable for this too, to not point out the opposite sights on the promenade the place the Gruffalo Clubhouse is about.
Merlin Annual passholders should buy tickets for a diminished charge too.
Should you’re planning to go to a string of household sights in Blackpool, try the Blackpool Huge Ticket which incorporates entry to 6 Merlin sights, saving as much as 50% on the person costs
You at the moment must e book a timed 15-minute slot for entry and at peak instances everybody will get a colored wristband while you enter. You’re nonetheless assured 75 minutes inside even on the busiest days, however should you go to when it’s quieter, youngsters can have limitless play time at different instances.
In case your plans change unexpectedly, you may reschedule at no cost as much as 24 hours earlier than your arrival time as nicely.
Do keep in mind to take socks with you should you’re visiting in sandals on a sunny day (though as the entire Gruffalo Clubhouse is inside, it’s good for a wet day in Blackpool with youngsters), in any other case it’s £1 to purchase a pair, that are required to have the ability to play.
There’s additionally a present store on the finish with some very cute merchandise – be ready should you don’t wish to purchase although! Or you’ll find The Gruffalo and different Julia Donaldson books on Amazon.
High tip: should you’re visiting to your youngsters’s birthday, do let workers know upfront – all of the birthday women and boys get their names introduced and have a bonus deal with to choose up from the cafe.
And should you’re questioning, can adults go to the Gruffalo Clubhouse with out youngsters? No, anybody aged 15+ does want a baby aged 14 and beneath to have the ability to enter, nonetheless massive a fan of Julia Donaldson you could be.
Disclosure: Paid collaboration with Merlin Entertainments – all opinions for this Gruffalo Clubhouse overview are my very own (and my daughter’s). And sure, I actually may quote the complete story from reminiscence…
This put up accommodates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee
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