Apple Tree Childrens Cafe — Restaurant in London

The price per 2 hour play:

1-5 year olds £5

6mths-1 year old £3

0-6mths free

Around this area of Hern Hill the parking restrictions hit 12-2pm in the back streets and it will cost you over £6 for those two hours as far as I know. So the Apple Tree Cafe is mostly relying on local costumers and those who come by public transport.

When we arrived this morning around 10.30am it was crowded. Unfortunately we didn't notice the sign in the back saying: we are full, please come back later. The sign on the door said open. The buggies were piled up high, even with a "fold if possible" policy all the tables, chairs and the two benches were occupied (benches with coats and bags, I admit). More seating area would be fantastic and perhaps different level coat hooks (lower for kids/ higher for adults) on the wall with the beautiful painting of a tree and deer so the benches can be free to sit on.

Some of the carers I spoke to were hinting a multiple children discount would be a great idea. Many pointed out the potential health hazards for children still in the oral stage. We found we had to secure buttons, crayons, cardboard, paper and foil from the little ones. Some of the visitors were inconsiderate by leaving the gate open.

I think the staff were a little stressed by the volume of people but I am sure it will continue to thrive...

A nice small soft play area. Unfortunately though this is let down entirely by rude staff. It was my first time there with my baby, which I informed staff about. Yet I found they were entirely unhelpful and short in answering my simple and straight forward questions, such as 'where can I find the menu?'. I also wanted to feed my little one a snack of a tangerine that I had bought with me. She was just a year old and being a fussy eater would not have eaten anything on the menu (and to be clear I wanted to feed her the tangerine in the cafe area not the softplay area). Yet I was informed by a staff member that I could not feed my baby anything that was not purchased on-site. And again to be clear, this was nothing to do with lack of space either - there were a few free tables/chairs. So we were forced to leave early. It's a shame as my little one enjoyed the softplay and I think the 5pound charge for this is entirely a fair price. But the rude service means that I will not be returning even on a cold rainy day when a local softplay...

Although I have friends who have warned me about this place being unhygienic and over crowded, I gave this place two chances and it failed miserably.

I remember the first time, feeling a little cheated when I ordered my coffee.  The cup was only slightly bigger than an espresso with mostly water and foam.  Very expensive for what it was.

The second time around, we sat at the table closest to the toilet.  There was a scent in the air of dirty diapers.  Not a pleasant one to eat to.  But the cherry on top was when I ordered the tuna melt toastie advertised with crisps.  I literally only got 3 crisps and not a serving.  I got up to ask the lady on the counter if they were out of crisps and she defensively added two more.  I paid about 30£ for 2 adult meals and a kid one..  I felt very cheated.

I am never going back.  My conclusion here is that people only come because of the lack of more indoor sofplay areas in the neighbourhood.  I am not sure I believe all these...