360 Play Farnborough – Soft Play and Party Venue

Description

If you’re looking for an all-weather day out in Hampshire, 360 Play Farnborough – Soft Play and Party Venue is a wonderful place to bring energetic children. Set inside The Meads shopping centre in Farnborough, this indoor playground isn’t your average soft play. What sets 360 Play apart is the combination of classic soft play fun and imaginative role play experiences. I’ve spent countless wet Saturdays here with my kids, and even after hours, they’re never in a hurry to leave.

Expect multi-level play frames, slides, obstacles, and ball pits—but the real secret is the 360 Street. This is a walk-in miniature town of themed rooms designed for “let’s pretend” games. My two always rush off to become pizza-makers at Luigi’s, pet doctors in the vet clinic, or car mechanics at Twizzle’s Garage. Each area is rich in props and child-sized furniture so little ones can lose themselves in make-believe worlds. For parents, there’s the bonus of a café with nutritious and child-friendly options, meaning you can relax with a coffee while keeping an eye on your little explorers.

Unlike many venues, there’s no “that’s extra” fee for every new activity—your entry covers unlimited access to everything on offer, including the vintage carousel, bumper cars, and the creative messy play zone. It’s also an extremely popular birthday party venue, and having celebrated a bright, noisy six-year-old’s party here, I can vouch for how smooth the staff makes the whole process.

Key Features

Soft Play Frame: A huge multi-level structure with slides, ball pits, tunnels, and climbing nets that encourage physical activity and adventurous fun.
360 Street Role Play: Child-sized shops and services—such as Luigi’s Pizza, Vet n Pet, Twirls Boutique, and Twizzle’s Garage—where children immerse themselves in imaginative play.
Indoor Carousel: An old-fashioned carousel ride that’s included with entry. It’s rare to find this in an indoor venue and kids absolutely love it.
Dodgems (Bumper Cars): Safe, child-friendly bumper cars. These are great for older kids and even parents can join in.
Messy Play Zone: A dedicated space for arts, crafts, and sensory activities—expect painting, play-dough, and plenty of washable mess.
Café: Serving coffee, hot food, snacks, and child-sized meals. There are also healthy choices and allergy-aware options, plus plenty of seating.
Birthday Party Packages: Separate party rooms, dedicated hosts, and a variety of themed party experiences take the stress out of party planning.
Inclusive Admission: One price covers unlimited use of all activities—parents don’t have to negotiate which attractions to choose.
Accessibility: Step-free entrance, wheelchair-friendly facilities, and accessible parking onsite. Staff are also helpful with additional needs.
Public Restrooms: Multiple, family-friendly toilets with baby-changing facilities right onsite.

Best Time to Visit

One of the best things about 360 Play Farnborough is that it’s completely sheltered from the British weather. Rain or shine, you’ll find the soft play buzzing with activity, but I’ve found there are definitely sweeter spots to visit.

If you can, go during term time on weekday afternoons. It’s so much quieter; toddlers have free reign over most of the attractions, and you can actually get a seat in the café with a good view of the play frame. Weekends, bank holidays, school breaks, and wet days can get seriously busy, which means lots of excited children (and more queues for certain activities like the bumper cars or carousel). That said, the staff have a knack for keeping things flowing and the place, while bustling, never tips into chaos.

For parties, early weekend morning slots book up first, so plan ahead if you want a prime time. Also worth noting—late afternoons on Sundays can be surprisingly peaceful, as families start to head home for dinner and bedtime.

How to Get There

360 Play Farnborough is really easy to reach whether you’re local or coming from further afield. It’s located right inside The Meads shopping centre, which means plenty of parking and good public transport links.

If you’re driving, pop GU14 7GL into your satnav and park in The Meads’ multi-storey car park. There are accessible parking bays close to the entrance, and you’ll be sheltered from the rain right up to the door.

Coming by train is just as straightforward. Farnborough Main station is a short walk from The Meads—under 10 minutes, even with small children in tow. Trains regularly run from London Waterloo, Reading, and surrounding Hampshire towns. If you prefer the bus, several local routes stop directly at The Meads and in the town centre.

Once inside The Meads, 360 Play is easy to spot at ground level. There are clear signs and you won’t miss the cheerful carousel right near the entrance. The whole site is stroller and wheelchair friendly, so families with babies or accessibility needs are well catered for.

Tips for Visiting

After a good few visits (and parties attended!) at 360 Play Farnborough, I’ve gathered some tried-and-tested tips to make your day as fun and stress-free as possible:

Book ahead if you can: Online booking is recommended, especially during weekends and holidays. It also saves you time at check-in.
Socks are mandatory for everyone: Even adults! If you forget, you can buy some at reception.
Arrive early or later in the day: The busiest period is late morning to early afternoon, especially on weekends. Either grab a slot when they open, or come later to avoid queues.
Bring a change of clothes: Toddlers are bound to get messy, whether in the arts area or sliding into ball pits.
Don’t forget the carousel and bumper cars: They’re included in the ticket price but sometimes get overshadowed by the soft play frame—set aside time for a few rides!
Check the party schedule: Certain play areas may be reserved during birthday celebrations, though staff are good at keeping disruptions minimal.
Packed lunches aren’t allowed: Outside food isn’t permitted (allergens excepted), but the café does offer a good mix of child and adult meals, including vegetarian and gluten-free.
Keep an eye on shoes and valuables: Shoe racks and lockers are provided, but it’s worth labelling or keeping essentials with you.
Older kids still have fun: There’s a sweet spot for ages 2–10, but don’t assume your adventurous eight-year-old will be bored. The role play street and dodgems get plenty of older siblings joining in.
Perfect for rain or shine: You never have to worry about the forecast affecting your plans.
Birthday parties are seamless: The staff handle everything, from set-up to food to party bags—which for me made the day as a parent so much easier.

Once you try 360 Play Farnborough, you’ll see why locals keep returning. Few indoor playgrounds offer this much variety in such a well-organized, accessible package. Whether you drop in for a toddler playdate, a treat at the café, or a birthday party adventure, it’s a reliable go-to for active, imaginative kids.