Active Tots
Active Tots
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22 within 3 miles
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50 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
3.0
52 reviews
Excellent
14
Very good
11
Average
7
Poor
7
Terrible
13
Emj84
1 contribution
Jan 2020 • Family
I visited this soft play venue today with my 1 year old son. The venue is situated in beautiful surroundings, however as soon as you walk in through the door you are greeted with rude unfriendly staff who never seem to smile!! The staff seem to see their customers as a massive inconvenience and if you try to smile at them and make conversation good luck as clearly they don’t like to communicate. There are too many silly rules and I felt like a child myself having to abide by them all! The other thing that was very annoying was the £10 minimum spend on a card and the fact we had to set up a tab, it seemed like a very strange system and really unnecessary when it's such an expensive venue. I ordered a tomato pasta for my son at £2.99, which I though was a bit expensive. When it came out it was in a small bowl, had hardly any tomato sauce and it was cold. It didn’t look very nice to eat at all! When I complained about it the lady who I think was the manager said ‘it’s expensive because we have over heads to cover and you lot are messy, so the cost covers the clean up after you, along with you being able to use our plastic plates, bowls and bibs’. There was no apology at all for my sons meal being cold or the fact that there was hardly any sauce, the customer service was atrocious! I will never go back to active tots due to the service and treatment we received when we were in there!
Written February 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HannahYoung1990
Calcot, UK78 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
I visited Active Tots with my Mum and my 1 year old daughter yesterday.
My daughter had her 1 year jabs in the morning and was very content prior to visiting, however when we arrived, the jabs had a really adverse effect on her. She was inconsolable, in a lot of distress and screaming the place down.
We went inside for 5 minutes to try and calm her down but the situation seemed to escalate. We didn’t want to ruin everyone else’s experience so we left quickly.
The receptionist was not very empathetic, didn’t offer any help or even glance our way during this time. We struggled to get her attention when we wanted to leave, as she was more concerned about a conversation with another parent re booking a party rather than helping a screaming baby in distress.
I asked if I could switch the dates and come back another time, as it was my first visit and was quite a lot of money for entry when I couldn’t enjoy the experience. However was told as per their Terms & Conditions there are no refunds or change in dates allowed.
I understand that they run a business and can’t do this for everyone, however I think the situation I was in was quite different to not turning up or trying to cancel or change the day before. There was just no empathy at all and it’s clear they are all about the money - especially reading the other reviews on here.
It’s a real shame as they could have had a lot of business from myself and my friends but I won’t be going back or recommending them whatsoever!
My daughter had her 1 year jabs in the morning and was very content prior to visiting, however when we arrived, the jabs had a really adverse effect on her. She was inconsolable, in a lot of distress and screaming the place down.
We went inside for 5 minutes to try and calm her down but the situation seemed to escalate. We didn’t want to ruin everyone else’s experience so we left quickly.
The receptionist was not very empathetic, didn’t offer any help or even glance our way during this time. We struggled to get her attention when we wanted to leave, as she was more concerned about a conversation with another parent re booking a party rather than helping a screaming baby in distress.
I asked if I could switch the dates and come back another time, as it was my first visit and was quite a lot of money for entry when I couldn’t enjoy the experience. However was told as per their Terms & Conditions there are no refunds or change in dates allowed.
I understand that they run a business and can’t do this for everyone, however I think the situation I was in was quite different to not turning up or trying to cancel or change the day before. There was just no empathy at all and it’s clear they are all about the money - especially reading the other reviews on here.
It’s a real shame as they could have had a lot of business from myself and my friends but I won’t be going back or recommending them whatsoever!
Written June 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jane S
2 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
I visited this soft play venue last week with my 2 year old daughter. It's in a lovely venue, beautiful surroundings and the facilities are small but in very good condition & well looked after, so my first impressions were all good. However I was almost immediately taken aback with how grumpy and rude the staff were. They seem in a permanent stressed state, they don't seem to enjoy their jobs or even like children and they don't make any effort with the customers to be polite! It wasnt even particularly busy, so i couldn't understand why they seemed so stressed out! There are too many petty rules laid down in quite a stern way on entrance, I felt like I had stepped back in time to somewhere quite old fashioned and I really don't like the fact that the staff tidy and clean around you all the time, it didn't make me feel relaxed or like my little girl could do anything. I don't like the way the staff talk to the customers either, it made me feel as if we were a hinderence. The other thing that annoyed me was the £10 minimum spend on a card and the fact I had to set up a tab, it seemed a very antiquated system and very unnecessary when it's such an expensive venue. It's such a shame, as this place could be a little gem in the right hands. If I could buy the place and replace it with happy, friendly, welcoming staff with sensible rules and a relaxed atmosphere I would jump at the chance.
Written January 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rachel B
7 contributions
Jul 2022 • Friends
Dear Sally-Anne,
We just wanted to say thank you so much for hosting our daughters birthday party and all the hard work you put into it. You made it so special for her. It was all so very well organised.
Charlotte, her sister and all their friends had such a wonderful time. They had so much choice with what to play with. There was plenty of shade, water play and beverages to keep everyone cool.
The food was great and catered for all needs. We didn't have to lift a finger which meant we got to spend time speaking to all our guests and watch the children play and capture all those special moments.
We would highly recommend your venue.
Thank you again and see you soon for more soft play and garden play.
Many thanks,
Rachel and Peter
We just wanted to say thank you so much for hosting our daughters birthday party and all the hard work you put into it. You made it so special for her. It was all so very well organised.
Charlotte, her sister and all their friends had such a wonderful time. They had so much choice with what to play with. There was plenty of shade, water play and beverages to keep everyone cool.
The food was great and catered for all needs. We didn't have to lift a finger which meant we got to spend time speaking to all our guests and watch the children play and capture all those special moments.
We would highly recommend your venue.
Thank you again and see you soon for more soft play and garden play.
Many thanks,
Rachel and Peter
Written July 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HarryG
Hampshire, UK22 contributions
Jan 2022 • Family
Really enjoyed our visit to Active Tots. First time we've been and we will certainly be back. Their safety and hygiene measures are fantastic and because numbers are limited it feels comfortable. Prices are really reasonable and plenty of on site parking. Delicious coffee and excellent soft play. I have to say for a soft play centre it was incredibly clean and we cannot wait to return!
Written January 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MLN12345
London, UK29 contributions
Sep 2023 • Family
Really excellent venue - very clean and organised. There’s a great selection of child friendly snacks and the staff are friendly. The manager really helped me when my son wasn’t well and she stepped in to support. I am very grateful and I highly recommend this place. I’ll be coming back again for sure!
Written September 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zoe S
1 contribution
Oct 2022 • Solo
The best soft play for babies & toddlers! It’s clean, safe, food is great & the staff are lovely! The kitchen staff took my son’s allergies very seriously. They have different themes for special occasions (Halloween/ Christmas etc) The toddle village is lovely and the garden is wonderful in the summer. The price to pay is very reasonable. Because all the equipment is “toddler level” it’s safe and little person friendly! It’s also not a work out for the adults!
Written October 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LizzeyG
NW London19 contributions
Apr 2018 • Family
Warning! Good luck with feeding your baby if you are taking the Baby Led Weaning approach to weaning!
Information on the website regarding bringing your own food if you are weaning your baby is very misleading. My son is 8 months old and is weaning at the moment (with a number of allergies) and was gumming his way through a slice of bread as I waited for my lunch when we were approached by a member of staff (maybe the owner?) who said "I won't take his food from him this time but as you aren't feeding him puree, you need to buy him lunch here next time as we sell what you are feeding him, you should have bought him that sandwich from here". So rude and made me feel so humiliated! Weaning doesn't always equal spoonfed pureed food! My 2 friends were feeding their babies puree pouches from home, but this was apparently ok, even though these are also sold at Active Tots!🤔 I could understand her point if I was sitting there tucking into lunch from home but I had ordered from the menu.
Oh, and there was a sign up stating that babies who are weaning up to the age of 12 months can be fed food from home. Very confusing! I won't be going back and have since mentioned my experience to a few friends with babies and they've had a bad experience too (again due to the ridiculous rules and staff rudeness). It is such a shame as is a great concept but not very baby friendly (ironic, really!).
Lots of signs around the place telling us what we shouldn't be doing. These just make most people feel uncomfortable.
I posted this review on their Facebook page and it was promptly removed so it just shows how passionate the owners of Active Tots feel about their customers.
Perhaps they could consider attending a weaning workshop (run for free locally) to familiarise themselves with the modern day approaches to weaning babies. It might help them to have a better understanding of their customers.
Information on the website regarding bringing your own food if you are weaning your baby is very misleading. My son is 8 months old and is weaning at the moment (with a number of allergies) and was gumming his way through a slice of bread as I waited for my lunch when we were approached by a member of staff (maybe the owner?) who said "I won't take his food from him this time but as you aren't feeding him puree, you need to buy him lunch here next time as we sell what you are feeding him, you should have bought him that sandwich from here". So rude and made me feel so humiliated! Weaning doesn't always equal spoonfed pureed food! My 2 friends were feeding their babies puree pouches from home, but this was apparently ok, even though these are also sold at Active Tots!🤔 I could understand her point if I was sitting there tucking into lunch from home but I had ordered from the menu.
Oh, and there was a sign up stating that babies who are weaning up to the age of 12 months can be fed food from home. Very confusing! I won't be going back and have since mentioned my experience to a few friends with babies and they've had a bad experience too (again due to the ridiculous rules and staff rudeness). It is such a shame as is a great concept but not very baby friendly (ironic, really!).
Lots of signs around the place telling us what we shouldn't be doing. These just make most people feel uncomfortable.
I posted this review on their Facebook page and it was promptly removed so it just shows how passionate the owners of Active Tots feel about their customers.
Perhaps they could consider attending a weaning workshop (run for free locally) to familiarise themselves with the modern day approaches to weaning babies. It might help them to have a better understanding of their customers.
Written April 8, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah W
Basingstoke, UK15 contributions
Feb 2016 • Family
Visited Active Tots a couple of times with my children, yes its clean but that is the only positive, it is very small and basic - more suited to under 2's, the attitude of the staff/owner is terrible, very rude and condescending, no idea of customer service and the messy play is a complete joke - they tell children off for making a mess - isn't that the point? I gave them the benefit of the doubt after the first few negative experiences but I wouldn't go back again or recommend.
Written February 2, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
K-lives4holiday
13 contributions
Aug 2015 • Family
I have visited this soft play a number of times this year as it is near to us and we like meeting friends here. The soft play itself is clean and tidy and my 2 year old is in her element. They have a lovely little garden with a wide variety of toys and play equipment.
However this lovely setting is spoilt by the lack of enthusiasm of the staff. They are all Middle aged women who run the place like a military camp. The first time I visited I was 'told off' for putting my toddlers shoes in my bag and didn't hand them in. I was also 'told off' for feeding my 6 months old baby food which I had bought with me, even though I had paid for food for me and my 2 year old. The food is over priced and they do not cater for weaning babies. You are made to feel like you are an inconvenience here. Sadly we won't be returning until they hire different staff who actually enjoy their jobs and children for that matter!
However this lovely setting is spoilt by the lack of enthusiasm of the staff. They are all Middle aged women who run the place like a military camp. The first time I visited I was 'told off' for putting my toddlers shoes in my bag and didn't hand them in. I was also 'told off' for feeding my 6 months old baby food which I had bought with me, even though I had paid for food for me and my 2 year old. The food is over priced and they do not cater for weaning babies. You are made to feel like you are an inconvenience here. Sadly we won't be returning until they hire different staff who actually enjoy their jobs and children for that matter!
Written August 23, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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