West Oxford Community Centre Cafe

I've been going here since it re-opened.  We often go on a Friday lunchtime after Hilary's Music in the main hall (which I love!).
It's a small cafe and, on a Friday, is usually packed with children and babies which is loads of fun.  Mummy says it might not be quite such fun for everyone, but that it's a bit quieter on other days of the week and other times.

There are usually 4 or 5 things on the menu to choose from and always lots of vegetarian food and a special meal for children.  Sometimes I have that, but sometimes I have my own soup or share Mummy's.  My favourites recently have been the pasta (with yummy homemade sauce), a salad with halloumi, egg and olives and soup.  The cakes are also lovely.  There are often vegan cakes and things are marked for people who want gluten free food.

There are plastic cups and straws, water out on every table and little vases with flowers which are good fun to play with.  I like to look at them through a magnifying glass to see if there are any tiny snails on them. I haven't found one yet though.

There are plenty toilets and baby changing - and the best thing is that when you've finished eating, there is a massive green park to run around and a play park with swings and a slide!

This is one of my favourite places for lunch.

Baby / child friendly ratings

Changing: 4/5 - Baby changing provided, but if you use disposable nappies you need to go and hunt for a bin outside.

Seating: 5/5 plenty high chairs or normal plastic chairs - outside seating when it's warm enough

Food: 5/5 - varied, tasty and a good price

Atmosphere: 5/5 - especially on a Friday when all my friends are there

Overall baby/ child friendliness: 4/5 - Marked down slightly for the new community centre policy of no buggies - there is very little sheltered space to leave them outside and it isn't helpful if you have a sleeping baby

Cornerstone (Didcot)

Mummy got a bit excited about going here.  She said she loves the band we were going to see.  There are also lots of family shows although we haven't tried these out.

We sat towards the back of the theatre, which has tiered seats so I could see even over the tall man in front of me.  That meant we could leave quickly when I had to have a shout or the baby felt like a cry.  Mummy thought that was quite handy, although I didn't see why other people would mind me shouting.  Anyway, there is a lift up to the 2nd floor, which is the level for the back of the theatre and a big hallway if you need a run around during the interval (or even the show itself).

The bar has lots of seating and serves a fine glass of milk.  There is good baby changing (my little sister tells me) and plenty toilets - toddlers can't always wait for very long...

Baby / child friendly ratings

Changing: 5/5 

Seating: 3/5 - the seats that flip up and down are really good fun, but Mummy thought it wasn't a great idea to play with them during the show.  

Food: The cafe does lots of yummy looking food, but we didn't try it -watch this space!

Atmosphere: 5/5 - the staff were lovely and offered to find me some coloured pencils and paper for drawing

Overall baby / child friendliness: 4/5 - Can't wait to try the shows for children!

Burton Taylor Theatre

I have been to a couple of shows recently with my Mummy and little sister.  She just sleeps, but it's quite handy when she tests out the babyness of the place for me.  You just can't expect a 3 year old to lower her dignity by testing out a baby changing mat!

Anyway, there are plenty family friendly productions at the BT (that's what Mummy calls it) and we've seen the theatre set up with tiered seating and cushions at the front and also with lots of beanbags and cushions just over the floor.

The great thing is that if you arrive early for a family show, there is a little room with books and toys where you can wait.  It's available after the show too.

The theatre itself is small, which makes the action of the show immediate and makes interaction easier.  A great venue for small children (the baby just slept through!)

Baby / child friendly ratings

Changing: 5/5 - Baby changing available

Seating: 5/5 - especially when there are beanbags - great for little bottoms and babies to chill out

Food: none

Atmosphere: 5/5 - friendly staff and extra points for the waiting room

Overall baby / child friendliness: 5/5 - Book a show now!

Roaming baby

It's been a while!
I've been busy getting older.  I'm not even sure that 'baby' is a good description.  I'm a big girl now!  
But, hey, I still like fun places, room for pushchairs and changing mats, so if you're up in Scotland any time soon, maybe these tips will help out...

The Bridge Cafe, Oban
Great food, even better service and an etch a sketch to play on while I waited.  Mummy seemed to enjoy her coffee and, even though we didn't make it, she said there was soft play upstairs that seemed a good idea.
If you're in the area, a great place to go!

Tartan Table Top, Castlebay, Barra
I made it to the soft play room this time!  Part of the children's centre, this cafe has a soft play room right by the eatery.  It's got a nice vibe, with school kids, toddlers like me and parents all enjoying a bacon butty and chips.  Well, apart from mine because they're veggie.  But you get the idea!

Natural History Museum

What a find for a young toddler!  
A big spotty cat greeted me and I was allowed to stroke it!  It didn't miaow back, but the pony didn't neigh either.  Still, they were soft and lovely.  The dinosaurs were huge and I also had a look at loads of other animals. 


The best thing was that I could have a good walk and run around and nobody minded.  Some people have told me you can't touch anything in museums, but this one had little signs that said I could.  


There's a level access entrance for buggies, or you can leave it at the entrance and walk up the steps.  I actually decided I wanted to be carried.


We didn't make it so far as to find out if there is baby changing - we'll check that next time.  But for a rainy day, it's one of the best places for a young toddler about Oxford.  



Update
Yes, there's good baby changing.
And be quick!  It's shutting in 2013.  FOR THE WHOLE YEAR!!! What will we do on rainy days?    Sigh.  Still, I guess the buckets filling up with rain water show it's probably good to sort out the building.
I'll miss you Spotty Cat and Mandy the Pony.

UPDATE 
Yes, it's shut.  Closed.  Just as I had discovered the bugs upstairs.  Sniff.  Still, the roof is being fixed and you can still get to the Pitt Rivers...

Visit to Brighton

Out of the ordinary, perhaps, but this baby has just been to Brighton and found two of the best eating establishments I've come across in my whole year and a month.


Food for Friends
Veggie restaurant with plenty booster seats, changing available and a wide ranging menu.  I particularly enjoyed avocado, mango, tofu,  beans and risotto.  Seriously enjoyed it.  I actually may have eaten more than my mummy managed.  
The restaurant is also happy to heat up baby jar food if that's your cuppa tea, so no reason for any baby not to enjoy a slap up meal at this fine eaterie.
Finally, the staff were happy to see children enjoying the restaurant and made me feel welcome.  Always a bonus!


Sushi garden
I didn't try the sushi - not the fish kind, but mummy did share her veggie sushi (rice, avocado and cucumber).  I also managed a fair amount of udon noodles (loads of fun), tofu, sweet potato and gyoza. The staff were lovely, from the chef waving at me from the kitchen to the waitress who brought me my own baby sized chopsticks to play with (c'mon, I can't really use a spoon yet - chopsticks will have to wait a while!). 
No baby changing, but high chair provided and this place deserves a rave review for the food and for the welcome I got from staff and other customers.  I was one very happy baby!

STOP PRESS - Update - The Mission