ADPR. The Nook Play Cafe is a new family friendly play cafe in Saltburn-by-the-Sea designed for babies, toddlers and young children. The Nook combines a calm indoor play space with a relaxed cafe environment for both parents, carers and children alike. Located on Station Street, The Nook focuses on gentle play, quality coffee and a welcoming atmosphere for local families and visitors to the North Yorkshire coast… And spoiler alert, you need to save this one, because it’s blooming brilliant!
Where is The Nook Play Cafe
You can find The Nook Play Cafe on Station Street in the centre of Saltburn-by-the-Sea. It's just a short walk from the town’s railway station, beach and local independent shops. The central location makes it an easy stop whether you’re visiting locally or planning a family day out on the coast.
The café can be found at 12 Station Street, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, TS12 1AE.
Parking
There isn’t dedicated parking directly outside The Nook Play Cafe. There are however, several public parking options within walking distance around Saltburn town centre. I parked on Glenside, but there are plenty of streets closer to The Nook if you don’t want to walk quite as far. You could even park along the seafront and tie in your trip to The Nook Play Cafe with a day at the beach.
Getting to The Nook by Train
A great advantage for The Nook’s is how close it is to Saltburn railway station. The station is literally only a short 2 minute walk away, making the play café easy to reach for families travelling from nearby towns such as Redcar, Middlesbrough and Darlington. The station offers step-free access, which is particularly useful for parents travelling with prams or toddlers.
Getting to The Nook by Bus
Saltburn is well connected by local bus routes serving nearby areas including Redcar, Marske, Brotton, Loftus, Whitby and Middlesbrough. Bus stops are located within walking distance of Station Street, making The Nook Play Cafe super accessible even if you’re visiting without a car.
Nearby Attractions
One of the best things about visiting The Nook Play Cafe is that its location. It's within walking distance of so many of Saltburn’s best known attractions. Families can easily combine a play session with time at the beach, a walk along the historic Saltburn Pier or a ride on the famous Saltburn Cliff Lift. For families visiting from outside the area, The Nook could fit naturally into a wider day out in Saltburn-by-the-Sea.
What is The Nook Play Cafe?
The Nook Play Cafe is a family focused indoor play cafe in the heart of Saltburn-by-the-Sea. The space is designed specifically for babies, toddlers and younger children. Combining a calm play environment with a welcoming cafe space, The Nook creates a relaxed setting where families can enjoy quality time together without the overwhelming feel of larger soft play centres.
Unlike traditional indoor soft play venues, The Nook Play Cafe focuses on smaller session sizes and a more thoughtfully designed environment. The play spaces have been created to encourage imaginative play, sensory exploration and independent discovery in a safe and comfortable setting.
The Nook operates using pre-booked play sessions, helping to keep the environment calmer and more manageable for younger children. Sessions currently run for around 90 minutes, giving families plenty of time to play, socialise and enjoy the cafe without feeling rushed.
The Nook Play Cafe At A Glance
- Address: 12 Station Street, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, TS12 1AE
- Suitable for: Babies, toddlers and preschoolers
- Session length: 90 minutes
- Parking: Nearby public parking available
- Booking: Recommended
- Website: https://www.thenookplaycafe.co.uk
Play Areas within The Nook
Main Play Space
The main play area at The Nook Play Cafe has been really thoughtfully designed to encourage imaginative and open-ended play. Rather than large climbing frames or noisy arcade-style entertainment, the space focuses on interactive toys, role play and child-led exploration suitable for younger age groups.
The setup is intentionally calm and modern. Soft colours and carefully selected play equipment which helps to create a more relaxed environment for both kids and adults.
Baby Room
A fabulous feature of The Nook is its dedicated baby room. The space offers a quieter and more age-appropriate area for its youngest visitors. This separate space has been designed specifically for babies and early crawlers, allowing them to play and explore away from the busier toddler areas.
Having a dedicated baby area is particularly useful for parents with younger children who may not yet be ready for larger shared play environments. The softer setting also creates a calmer atmosphere for tummy time, sensory interaction and early developmental play.
Sensory Play Features
Sensory play is a key part of the experience at The Nook Play Cafe. The venue includes sensory-focused elements designed to encourage curiosity, movement and independent exploration through textures, colours and interactive play experiences.
This is particularly useful as sensory play supports early development, coordination and imaginative learning in a fun and engaging way. The calmer style of sensory setup at The Nook fits well with the cafe’s overall focus on creating a gentle environment.
Imaginative Play Features
The Nook Play Cafe has been designed with a strong emphasis on imaginative, child-led play rather than high-energy or overstimulating equipment. The focus is on giving children opportunities to explore, role play and engage creatively in a calm and welcoming environment.
Imaginative play is an important part of early childhood development. It helps children build communication skills, problem-solving abilities and social confidence. At The Nook, this style of play is encouraged through thoughtfully selected equipment that allows children to create their own scenarios rather than follow structured activities.
You can expect a huge range of open-ended play resources designed to spark creativity, such as role-play setups, small-world play items and tactile toys that encourage storytelling and interaction. Rather than focusing on fixed play structures, the environment supports flexibility so children can use their imagination freely.
Cafe Menu & Coffee
Alongside its indoor play spaces, The Nook also offers a relaxed cafe environment designed with parents and carers in mind. The cafe area allows adults to enjoy drinks and light refreshments while still being able to comfortably supervise their children during play sessions.
Visitors can expect a selection of hot drinks, cold drinks and cafe style snacks available during sessions.
For many parents, having quality coffee and a comfortable seating area is just as important as the play facilities themselves! And The Nook has clearly been designed to balance both elements together.
I treated myself to a latte during our visit and was pleasantly surprised by how good it was. As someone who enjoys a decent coffee, it was nice to be able to sit back with a proper drink while the kids played nearby.
Who is The Nook Best For?
The Nook Play Cafe is particularly well suited for families with babies, toddlers and preschool-aged children who are looking for a calmer alternative to larger indoor soft play centres.
The dedicated baby room and sensory-focused features also make The Nook a strong option for first-time parents, parents on maternity leave and families with non-walking babies looking for safe and age appropriate play environments.
Booking Information & Prices
The Nook Play Cafe currently operates using pre-booked play session. This helps to manage visitor numbers and maintain a calmer atmosphere for younger children. Sessions are approximately 90 minutes long. Enough time to enjoy both the play spaces and cafe without feeling rushed.
Advance booking is recommended, particularly during weekends, school holidays and wetter months when indoor family activities are often busier. Booking ahead also helps guarantee space within the smaller capacity sessions that The Nook is designed around.
Pricing is currently as follows:
- Under 12 months - £4.50
- 1-5 years - ££7.50
- Adults - Free
Our Visit to The Nook Play Cafe
I’ve not visited a play cafe before, so I was really excited to experience The Nook. Not only for my kids, but for myself too!
As soon as we walked into The Nook Play Cafe, it was clear that a lot of thought and care had gone into creating a welcoming space for families. The café has a bright, modern feel and immediately feels calm and inviting. Something that can be hard to come by in children's play venues.
I visited with my two children, aged 7 and 4, and was interested to see how they would both engage with a play space that is primarily aimed at younger children. To my surprise, they both found plenty to enjoy. My youngest was completely absorbed by the imaginative play areas and sensory activities. My eldest also enjoyed exploring the different play stations and getting involved in creative role play alongside her sister.
One of the things that stood out most during our visit was how thoughtfully designed the space is. Rather than focusing on overwhelming soft play equipment, The Nook encourages children to slow down, use their imagination and engage in meaningful play. Each individual play setup felt purposeful, with plenty of opportunities for children to explore, create and interact.
The dedicated baby and sensory spaces were also a lovely addition. Although my children are a little older than the target age range, I could immediately see the appeal for parents with babies and toddlers. The environment felt safe, calm and perfectly suited to younger children who are just beginning to explore the world around them.
We visited during the 11am scheduled play session and found there was a really nice balance of families. There were enough children to create a friendly atmosphere, but it never felt overcrowded or overwhelming, which added to the relaxed feel of the venue.
Would We Return To The Nook Play Cafe?
Overall, we had a fantastic visit to The Nook Play Cafe and can absolutely see why it is quickly becoming a popular destination for local families. Whether you're looking for a relaxed play session with a toddler, a catch-up with friends over coffee, or a family-friendly activity in Saltburn-by-the-Sea, The Nook is well worth a visit.
We left already talking about when we could come back!
Frequently Asked Questions About The Nook Play Cafe
1. Do you need to book The Nook Play Cafe?
Yes, advance booking is recommended for The Nook Play Cafe. The venue operates using pre-booked sessions, helping to maintain a calmer environment and ensuring there is enough space for children to play comfortably.
2. What age is The Nook Play Cafe suitable for?
The Nook Play Cafe has been designed primarily for babies, toddlers and preschool-aged children. I visited with my four year old and seven year old. If you’re booking for anyone over 5, I’d recommend sending The Nook a message beforehand to ensure this will be okay.
3. How much does The Nook Play Cafe cost?
At the time of writing, play sessions at The Nook Play Cafe are priced as follows:
- Under 12 months: £4.50
- Children aged 1–5 years: £7.50
- Adults: Free
As prices can change over time, it's always worth checking directly with The Nook before your visit for the latest information.
4. How long are play sessions at The Nook Play Cafe?
Play sessions at The Nook Play Cafe last approximately 90 minutes. This gives families plenty of time to enjoy the play areas, sensory spaces and café facilities without feeling rushed.
5. Is The Nook Play Cafe suitable for babies?
Absolutely. One of the standout features of The Nook Play Cafe is its dedicated baby room, which provides a quieter and more age-appropriate space for babies and early crawlers.
6. Is there parking near The Nook Play Cafe?
While there is no dedicated parking directly outside The Nook Play Cafe, there are several public parking options available within walking distance in Saltburn town centre.
7. Does The Nook Play Cafe serve food and drinks?
Yes, The Nook Play Cafe has an on-site cafe serving a selection of hot drinks, cold drinks and light refreshments. The cafe area is designed so parents and carers can relax while still keeping an eye on their children as they play.
8. Is The Nook Play Cafe worth visiting?
In my opinion, absolutely yes! The Nook offers a refreshing alternative to larger soft play centres, focusing on imaginative play, sensory exploration and a relaxed atmosphere for families. Its thoughtful design, welcoming environment and excellent location make it a fantastic addition to Saltburn-by-the-Sea's family-friendly attractions.
This is the cutest idea ever! It's such a great way to have a day out with the kids. I would have taken mine there when they were that age.
The space looks amazing wow...It is a perfect space for the entire family. I wish we had something like that in our city, that would be amazing.
Oh wow! This play cafe looks wonderful. Really well thought out and designed - and very well decorated too. I would have loved to have had something like this nearby!
This sounds like such a wonderful place for families with little ones! I love the idea of a calmer, more thoughtfully designed play space where children can use their imagination while parents enjoy a good cup of coffee.
This is so sweet! I love the concept. I wish there was one near me. My little one would love to visit. And I could enjoy some pastries while he enjoys the playhouse. It’s a win, win.
What a cute cafe! When my kids were little, we did not have places like this to check out. How fun with the pram parking too!
This is just the kind of place I love to take the grand babes. A memorable place where they can enjoy themselves that is somewhat out of the ordinary too is always a hit with the kids!
The Nook play cafe sounds like an awesome place for both parents and young kids alike in my opinion. Must visit one day.
I love the wall paintings! This does look like an adorable and well maintained children's play area.