PLAY NOOKS

Unit 15, Banham zoo carpark, Kenninghall Rd, Banham, Norwich NR16 2HE, United Kingdom
+44 1603 551508
$$$ Cafe
(30 Reviews)
Price Range £1–10

Welcome to PLAY NOOKS, a delightful café and play area nestled in the picturesque setting of Banham, Norwich. Ideally located in the car park of the renowned Banham Zoo, this charming establishment is not just a spot for snacks and drinks; it’s a vibrant hub for families seeking a joyful experience for children of all ages.

Upon entering PLAY NOOKS, you'll be enveloped by a warm, inviting atmosphere that's perfect for parents and little ones alike. The café serves up a range of delicious treats, with highlights including flaky scones and buttery croissants that pair beautifully with a steaming cup of expertly brewed coffee. Don’t miss the chance to indulge in their sweet delights, which include enriching flavors like cheese scones and heavenly carrot cakes that reviewers rave about. Every bite is crafted with care, ensuring a delightful experience for your taste buds!

But what truly sets PLAY NOOKS apart is its thoughtfully designed play areas, meticulously created by ex-teachers and parents, ensuring that every feature caters to the curiosity and needs of young children. The combination of indoor and outdoor spaces offers an expansive realm for kids to explore and engage in various playful activities. As Kathryn Mitchell noted, it's a "wonderful play space" that keeps children joyfully occupied while parents sip their coffee, savoring a moment of relaxation.

Many families have shared heartwarming experiences at PLAY NOOKS, like Gabrielle Walsh, who commented on the impressive variety of play stations that kept their group of children entertained for hours. The shaded outdoor nooks are perfect for those sunny afternoons, creating a relaxing haven for both children and their caregivers. Adam Beard echoed similar sentiments, praising the interactive setups that stimulate the young imagination and foster creative play.

The café doubles as a social space where adults can unwind. As described by Karen Firth, it’s a "really relaxing place to sit and chat," making it an ideal spot for gatherings with friends while the kiddos are busy having fun. And if you are celebrating a special occasion, they offer party hire that comes highly recommended by numerous satisfied customers.

So whether you're waiting for friends to join you, as Jade Rigley felt when she stumbled upon PLAY NOOKS, or purposefully planning a family outing, this café provides a wonderful blend of delicious food and engaging play that is simply irresistible. With children consistently leaving with smiles on their faces and a newfound sense of adventure, PLAY NOOKS has certainly carved a niche as a beloved community spot for families in Norwich.

Ready to make some wonderful memories? Visit PLAY NOOKS today!

Location: Unit 15, Banham zoo carpark, Kenninghall Rd, Banham, Norwich NR16 2HE, United Kingdom

Phone: +44 1603 551508

Service options
Outdoor seating
Takeaway
Dine-in
Delivery
Highlights
Great coffee
Great dessert
Great tea selection
Popular for
Lunch
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
Coffee
Prepared foods
Quick bite
Dining options
Breakfast
Lunch
Dessert
Seating
Amenities
Gender-neutral toilets
Toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Crowd
Groups
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards
NFC mobile payments
Children
Good for kids
High chairs
Kids' menu
Parking
Free parking lot
Parking
Pets
Dogs allowed outside
Openings Hours

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

09:30 AM - 02:30 PM

Wednesday

09:30 AM - 02:30 PM

Thursday

09:30 AM - 01:30 PM

Friday

09:30 AM - 02:30 PM

Saturday

09:30 AM - 03:00 PM

Sunday

Closed

30 Reviews
Gabrielle Walsh

21 Sep 2025

Such a lovely place. Really thoughtful touches in all the play areas. Was with a group of friends with kids from 11 months to 7 years and they all had a great afternoon. Lots of different areas, good shade in the outdoor nooks. Cake and coffee were both fab too!

Adam Beard

07 Sep 2025

This was amazing! Super Interactive for our 1 year old. Varied displays of stations and sensory areas. The owners are ex teachers and parents themselves. You can truly see the intelligence and thoughts backing this indoor and outdoor play area. Available for party hire too! Right next door to Banham zoo!

Kathryn Mitchell

02 Sep 2025

The most wonderful play space, our toddler has an incredible time every time we visit (and so do we!!) Steph and Vickie are so kind, friendly and organised, they have created such a beautiful and engaging play environment in both indoor and outdoor spaces. The cafe has incredible coffee and delicious lunch and treats as well. We recently celebrated our daughter’s second birthday here and it was the best, we absolutely couldn’t recommend playnooks more!! Thank you!!

Jade Rigley

02 Sep 2025

We popped in whilst we’re were waiting for friends and what a find! The sausage rolls (warmed properly in the oven not a soggy microwave) and rocky road were both AMAZING. The staff were very friendly and kind too. I think I’d skip the zoo next time and just come here for the food

Faye Burke

05 Aug 2025

My children love it here. We recently celebrated their 2nd/5th Birthday party here. Steph and Vickie were brilliant hosts and the children as ever had a fantastic time.

Tom Ratcliffe

17 Jul 2025

An absolutely wonderful little place. So much for our little girl to see and do, she could barely fit it all in. Never seen her so engaged with so much. It’s all beautifully designed, creative and eye catching - left us as inspired as our little one. It didn’t hurt that the Coffee Nook next door was serving delicious coffee, cakes and treats too, for when the play stopped. Couldn’t recommend enough.

Karen Firth

27 Jun 2025

Super friendly staff and a really relaxing place to sit and chat. The coffee shop is completely separate from Play Nooks making it the perfect place to catch up with friends. Delicious cheese scone and carrot cake. Would highly recommend.

Sophie Barker

16 Jun 2025

So lucky to have this on our doorstep! Visited today for the first time with my 2.5yr old and 6 month old baby. We didn’t quite manage to make our way around all the activities but there is so much for them to do. Every area is well thought out and inviting. We will definitely be a regular here and recommending to all with little ones!

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