There's a 35,000 square foot adult playground hiding underground in London
When you’re an adult, it’s not always deemed socially acceptable to hop on a noisy fairground ride or jump onto the bouncy castle.
Unless you’re fielding small children, that is.
But with so much (very adult) stress to deal with, arguably, the best way of letting off steam is to head to a playground and rinse it all off.
Babylon Park is London’s first-ever indoor theme park, and it’s chock-a-block with adult rides and games, but it’s still fairly on the DL.
Describing itself as London’s ‘best-kept secret,’ it’s in Camden, North London – and it’s so underground that most Londoners haven’t heard of it.
There are two floors of rides, including arcade games, bumper cars, an indoor rollercoaster, a drop tower, and a soft play area.
Though you’ll want to avoid core hours in the summer holidays when it’ll be packed with kids, the venue stays open until 9pm on weekdays and Sundays, and 10pm on a Saturday. Sounds like adult fun, right?
The clientele is proof you’re never too old to ride a rollercoaster. Over on TikTok @serenalevart recently went with her friends, and described it as the ‘coolest arcade’ in the city, while @keepingupwithchels admitted she took her kids, but went on the exact same rides with her adult friends.
Went here with my best friends and had the best time 🥹😍 Name is at the end!! #fyp #arcade #londonhotspots #londontown #londonfun #funthingstodo #datenight #rollercoaster #babylonpark
If you’re going with the little ones, there’s no minimum age requirement, but there is a height restriction for both the drop tower and the rollercoaster.
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Buying a ticket gives you completely unlimited access to all the attractions, so you won’t need to skimp on the fun while you’re there.
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One downside, it’s pretty pricey, as an hour and a half costs £26.25. If you buy in a group of four, it’s slightly cheaper, at £24.06 each.
If you want unlimited access (still, for three hours, so there’s a limit on it), it’ll set you back £43.75, but three hours of soft play only costs £8.75.
Planning your trip? The address is 8 Castlehaven Road, NW1 8QU. It’s also only an eight-minute walk from Camden Road Station.
The ultimate adults playground! Home to London’s only indoor rollercoaster and 100’s of arcade games to enjoy 👾 📍8 Castlehaven Road, London, NW1 8QU #camden #london #rollercoaster #themepark #babylonpark #babylonparklondon #thingstodo #familyfun #dayout #placestovisit
Visitors have had an absolute ball at Babylon Park, as Kevane H described it in a website review as offering ‘thrilling games, fun attractions, and a vibrant atmosphere’.
They added: ‘Clean and safe environment, combined with friendly staff, makes it an unforgettable experience. Perfect for relaxing on weekends.’
Aminat M added: ‘Amazing place for both kids and adults, especially during cold weather. I had to get my lil one candy floss to get her out of there.’
However, not everyone’s left impressed. Over on Tripadvisor, one user with the handle @gorgeousgirl described it as ‘highly overrated.’
They wrote: ‘The only positive was that the staff were polite and helpful. It cost me £60 for one hour for myself and an 11-year-old.
They penned: ‘There’s not really that much there: the rollercoaster, the skydrop, [and the] bumper cars which just seemed to do circles.’
POV: you didn’t know London had an indoor rollercoaster until now 🎢 📍Babylon Park, Camden Town #babylonpark #camdentown #london
Elsewhere, with more than 100 arcade machines, a giant laser tag arena, and countless karaoke rooms, a brand-new ‘Mega City’ has recently opened just outside the city.
The complex is just 40 minutes from Central London on the Elizabeth Line, tucked away in Slough, Berkshire.
It’s been touted as the ‘pinnacle’ of the town’s ‘regeneration,’ aiming to bring more footfall to the centre since its opening on June 30.
The playground, which measures 55,000 square feet, has an impressive three floors and two mezzanine levels, packed out with crowd-pleasing entertainment factors designed not just for kids, but for adults, too.
Alternatively, located on the top floor of a multi-storey car park in Stratford, you’ll find Roof East, a sprawling, colourful playground stocked with everything you could possibly need to spend a day (and night) enjoying the warm weather.
Packed with games, an open-air cinema, a variety of street food vendors, free dj sets and plenty of deck chairs to relax in, it’s the perfect setting to unwind, gossip with your friends, and indulge in a summer spritz or two.