New Hall on the Chester High Road at Neston has free parking, a cafe, and a large shed full of plants that will absorb any adult who has had enough. Sticking a soft play in the middle of all that is an underrated move, and it makes Mini Monsters an easier sell than a unit on an industrial estate.
The play itself is scaled for small children: slides, scramble nets, squeeze rollers, a ball pond and a spinning bar indoors, plus a separate baby and toddler area for nought to twos. Prices step properly by age. Seven pounds covers two and over, one-year-olds are £4.50, babies from six months are a pound, and adults and any over-nines who tag along pay a pound each, which tells you where the ceiling is. Two practical things then. The outdoor play area with the swings only runs in the summer months, so a February visit is the indoor frame and nothing else. And the opening hours are simply not published anywhere on their site, which is irritating enough to justify a phone call. Weekends and school holidays they want you to book a session online.
What it costs: Under 6 months free, 6 to 11 months £1.00, 12 to 23 months £4.50, 2 years and over £7.00, adults and over-9s £1.00. Eat and play £9.00, which is any meal from the children's menu plus a cordial. Opening hours are not published on the operator's website; ring 0151 353 1123 before travelling.
Worth knowing: Dedicated baby and toddler area for nought to twos. Over-nines pay £1 and are clearly not the target.
Seasonal: The outdoor play area opens in summer only. Check before travelling.
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