Venue suggestions needed for 1st Birthday party... with adults and older children!

[emma115]

Help everyone!

I have been out of London for a year and decided to come back for my twins first birthday celebration and combine that with a good catch up with friends with older children too.

My first thought was The Herne as it has a separate barn for the babies soft play area and the climbing frame area for the older ones.... and jolly good food and drinks for us adults!

Alas... its booked and I'm now having a meltdown as I can't think of anywhere else as suitable!

It will be early October so tricky weather wise...

PLEASE let me know your suggestions and thank you all in advance!

Emma

[Ginster]

I don't know if they will allow parties but both Victoria Inn on Bellenden Rd and The Florence in Herne Hill have separate indoor play area rooms. Vic Inn room has a TV in the pub where u can watch/monitor the kids in playroom while sat in the pub!

[emma115]

Thank you so much Ginster!

I was trying to remember what was in Herne Hill so your comments have really helped and I shall check them out today!

[jules b]

The Mulberry centre (I think I've remembered the name correctly) at Myatt's Feilds in Camberwell is brilliant, tho it may be booked up for October already.

[emma115]

Thanks Jules.. will check that out today too! Phew!

[Bonfire2010]

We tried to book the Vic Inn playroom but they don't allow it. They prefer you to book a table and then use the playroom separately.

[oimissus]

also, I don't think the playroom at the Vic is very good for babies - it's very dark (Miss Oi screamed her head off when she first went in!) and there's nowhere for adults to sit - you're meant to dump the kids and then watch from the TV screen in the bar.

[emma115]

You're totally right... can't be booked nor can The Florence.

Think its looking like the Sports Club behind our Dulwich house! Bring on the children's entertainer, bouncy indoor castle, soft play area... and outside catering to boot! Aaaaarrgh!

Hey ho!

Thank you for your helpful suggestions and comments everyone!

[Dodie]

We went to a birthday party at Surrey Quays Farm recently. It worked really well. There were kids there of all ages (the birthday boy and girl were 3 year old twins) and they all loved going around the farm first. They had hired a room on site where everyone hung out and had the food afterwards (could get in caterers or do your own sandwiches etc). The farm is also by the Thames so lots of milling about looking at the boats, pebble beach when the tide was out etc. I don't think it was too pricey either. I suppose weather could be a factor in October but you would have an indoor space to mill about in/shelter too. Also, the parents brought along a few beers etc for the adults!

[simonethebeaver]

It's a bit smaller but the Dish and Spoon cafe in Nunhead can be booked for parties, can do food for kids and adults, has toys for kids of pre-school age and is very friendly.