Apple Tree Children's Cafe | Play Cafe for Under 5s | Herne Hill & Peckham Rye, South London
Memberships now available — unlimited play from £45/month! Find out more
South London's Favourite Play Cafés

Where little ones explore, play & grow

Apple Tree Children's Cafe is a play cafe for under 5s in Herne Hill & Peckham Rye, South East London — with delicious food, imaginative play, and unforgettable birthday parties.

Under 5s only
Two locations
Book online instantly
Children enjoying imaginative play at Apple Tree Children's Cafe play cafe for under 5s in South London
5★ Google ReviewsLoved by South London families
Exclusive Birthday Party HireStress-free birthday parties
2Locations in South East London
Under 5sDedicated safe play space
1.5hrPlay sessions, weekdays & Saturdays
5★Rated on Google by local parents

A play café designed for
families with under 5s

Apple Tree Children's Café is a play café for children under five in South East London, with two locations in Herne Hill and Peckham Rye. Created by a mum of four and former primary school teacher, it's a warm and welcoming space where little ones can play, explore and learn, while parents can enjoy a good coffee, fresh food, and a chance to relax.

Whether you're meeting a friend, stopping by for lunch, or just getting out of the house, the café is designed to feel easy, calm and family friendly. Our clean and secure indoor play space is perfect for babies, toddlers and preschoolers, supporting early learning through play while giving parents peace of mind.

At Apple Tree Children's Café, we've created a place where both children and parents can feel at home and enjoy their time together.

Everything your little
one needs to flourish

Delicious Food & Drink

Freshly prepared café food and hot drinks for parents — because you deserve a treat too.

Climbing Frame

Safe, age-appropriate climbing structures to build confidence, strength and big adventurous smiles.

Birthday Parties & Events

Exclusive private hire for stress-free, magical birthday parties your child will never forget.

Two beautiful play café locations
in South East London

Both cafés sit directly opposite stunning parks — Brockwell Park in Herne Hill, and Peckham Rye Common. Perfect for a post-play outdoor adventure!

Many families visiting our Herne Hill & Peckham Rye toddler café come from nearby areas including Dulwich, Brixton and Camberwell. Whether you're looking for indoor toddler activities or simply want a calm space where children can play safely, Apple Tree Children's Cafe is the perfect spot.

Play sessions for
every little one

We run 1.5-hour play sessions throughout the week, including our popular Under 2s-only mornings — perfect for the tiniest adventurers to explore at their own pace.

Under 2s Only Sessions

Tuesday 11am–12:30pm — Peckham Rye
Wednesday 11am–12:30pm — Herne Hill
Thursday 11am–12:30pm — Peckham Rye
Gentle, calm sessions where your tiniest adventurers can explore freely.

Opening HoursBoth Locations
Monday – Friday9:00am – 4:30pm
Saturday9:00am – 12:30pm
Saturday AfternoonsPrivate Events Only
SundayPrivate Events Only

Cafés are cleaned after each play session,
4 play sessions per weekday

All prices include a booking fee. Babies under 6 months are free when accompanied by a paying sibling.

Baby (0–6 months)

With a paying sibling
FREE
Complimentary for the littlest ones
  • Full session access
  • Sensory play area
  • Baby-safe environment
Book Now

Play Pass

Bulk sessions — save 10%+
Best Value
Use across both locations, any session
  • Works at both locations
  • Weekday & weekend sessions
  • Save over 10% per visit
  • Gift cards also available
Get a Play Pass

Membership

Unlimited play, monthly
£45/mo
From £45/mo (1 child) · £55/mo (2 children)
  • Unlimited play sessions
  • Both locations
  • 10% off birthday parties
  • Cancel with 1 month notice
Join Now

Play Passes & Memberships: the smartest way to play

For families who love coming back again and again, our Play Passes and Memberships save you money, offer flexibility, and give you unlimited access to our cafés in Herne Hill & Peckham Rye.

Valid at both locations
Save over 10%
Gift cards available
Unlimited play option
See Membership Options

The birthday party they'll
talk about forever

Children's birthday party celebration at Apple Tree Cafe with balloons and decorations

Book an exclusive 2-hour hire of the whole café — we take care of everything so you can enjoy every moment of your child's big day.

2-Hour Exclusive Hire

The whole café is yours — no shared sessions, just your family and friends.

Catered & Non-Catered Options

Choose a fully catered package or bring your own food — whatever works for you.

Stress-Free Hosting

Our friendly team handles the setup and running so you can relax and celebrate.

Herne Hill & Peckham Rye

Both venues available for exclusive Saturday & Sunday hire.

Book your visit online in minutes

Choose your location and session type using the tabs below. All play sessions and birthday parties are bookable online through our secure Amelia booking system.

Online Booking

Powered by Amelia — fast, secure & mobile-friendly

Play Session — Herne Hill

Play Session — Peckham Rye

Birthday Party — Herne Hill

Birthday Party — Peckham Rye

Unlimited play for your
little ones

With unlimited access to our play cafés in Herne Hill & Peckham Rye, your little ones can burn energy, build confidence, and enjoy a welcoming environment designed for families.

Whether it's a spontaneous weekday visit or a regular weekend outing, Apple Tree Children's Cafe membership gives you the freedom to drop in and play!

Members also receive 10% off birthday party bookings, making it even easier to celebrate special occasions with us.

Payments are simple and secure, and once you're signed up, you can start enjoying unlimited indoor play straight away. Booking in advance is advisable to avoid disappointment. Cancellation period: 1 month notice.

1 Child Monthly Membership

£45/month
Unlimited Play · Both Locations
  • Unlimited play sessions
  • Valid at Herne Hill & Peckham Rye
  • 10% off birthday party bookings
  • Cancel with 1 month notice
Join Now →

2 Children Monthly Membership

£55/month
Unlimited Play · Both Locations
  • Unlimited play for 2 children
  • Valid at Herne Hill & Peckham Rye
  • 10% off birthday party bookings
  • Cancel with 1 month notice
Join Now →

Franchise Opportunities — Coming Soon

Apple Tree Children's Cafe will soon be offering carefully selected franchise opportunities across London and surrounding areas, please fill in the below to register your interest

Register Your Interest

Your questions, answered

Apple Tree Children's Cafe is designed for children aged 0–5 years. Our dedicated under-2s sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings are especially calm and gentle for babies and very young toddlers.
Yes — all sessions should be booked online in advance. This helps us manage numbers and ensure a great experience. If space is available on the day, walk-ins are allowed.
A Play Pass is a bundle of play session credits that saves you over 10% compared to buying sessions individually. You can use them at both Herne Hill and Peckham Rye, for any weekday or weekend session.
You can book through our online booking system or by emailing info@appletreelondon.com. Birthday parties are exclusive 2-hour hires with catered and non-catered options available.
Both cafés have street parking nearby and are well served by public transport. Herne Hill station and Peckham Rye station are each a short walk away.
Absolutely! We have a full café menu with freshly prepared food and hot drinks for parents and carers. Unfortunately we do not allow outside food and drink to be consumed at our cafés.
Membership gives you unlimited play sessions at both Herne Hill and Peckham Rye for a fixed monthly fee. Members also get 10% off birthday party bookings. You can cancel with 1 month's notice.

Birthday party questions, answered

We offer catered (£345) and non-catered (£295) packages at both locations, each with 2 hours of exclusive hire for up to 15 children.
Catered: £15 per extra child (advance), £10 on the day without catering. Non-catered: £10 per extra child.
Yes — bring your own cold food, cake, and decorations. Adults may bring alcohol (plastic cups required). All hot and cold drinks must be purchased from Apple Tree. Arrive 20 minutes early to decorate.
A picnic tea including finger sandwiches, fruit kebabs, cheese & vegetable sticks, Pom-Bears, mini muffins, popcorn, Cawston Press juice drinks, plus plates, napkins and cutlery.
Up to 50 guests total (adults & children). Babies under one are not counted. Final numbers can be confirmed up to two weeks before.
A £50 non-refundable deposit secures your slot. The remaining balance is due two weeks before the party date and is non-refundable if cancelled within that period.

We'd love to hear from you

Phone0208 678 0366 (Herne Hill)
Herne Hill27–29 Norwood Road, London, SE24 9AA  
Peckham Rye134–136 Peckham Rye, London, SE22 9QH  
Opening HoursMon–Fri 9am–4:30pm · Sat 9am–12:30pm

Send us a message

@appletreelondon

See what's happening at Apple Tree Children's Cafe — follow us on Instagram for daily updates, play inspiration and behind-the-scenes moments.

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Membership Terms & Conditions

By purchasing a membership, you agree to the following terms and conditions.

1. Membership Benefits

1.1. Members pay a fixed monthly fee to enjoy play sessions during our opening hours, Monday to Saturday.

1.2. Members receive 10% off birthday party bookings, as a thank you! This discount is valid as long as your membership is active at the time of the party. If your membership ends before the party date, the discount will no longer apply.

2. Membership Holder

2.1. All memberships are booked under the name of the parent or carer purchasing the membership.

2.2. At the time of booking, the name(s) of the child(ren) the membership is for must be provided.

3. Adults Linked to Membership

3.1. Up to two additional parent/carer names can be added to the membership for check-in purposes.

3.2. A valid form of ID may be requested from any adult checking in.

4. Child Access

4.1. Memberships are valid only for the named child(ren) registered at the time of booking.

4.2. Memberships cannot be transferred or used for other children.

5. Play Pass Benefits

5.1. Play Passes are purchased upfront and include a set number of play sessions.

5.2. Play Passes are valid for six (6) months from the date of purchase. Any unused sessions after this time will expire and cannot be carried over or refunded.

6. Fees & Payments

6.1. Memberships are billed monthly.

6.2. There is a minimum initial commitment of one (1) month.

6.3. Play Passes must be paid in full at the time of purchase.

6.4. We're unable to offer refunds or credits for unused sessions or partial months.

7. Session Bookings

7.1. All play sessions must be booked online in advance.

7.2. Sessions are subject to availability and must be booked through our usual booking system.

7.3. Walk-ins are welcome where possible, but spaces cannot be guaranteed without a booking.

7.4. Afternoon sessions may occasionally be cancelled if there are no advance bookings, so we strongly encourage booking ahead to avoid disappointment.

7.5. If you arrive late, your session time won't be extended, as we need to keep things running smoothly for all families.

8. Location Use

8.1. Memberships are valid at both Herne Hill and Peckham Rye cafés.

9. Cancellations, Rescheduling & Parties

9.1. Memberships can be cancelled at any time with at least one (1) month's written notice.

9.2. Play Passes are non-refundable and cannot be cancelled once purchased (unless required by law).

9.3. We do not offer refunds for play sessions. If you are unable to make your session, we will always try to reschedule your booking if you contact us at least 48 hours in advance.

9.4. Party deposits are non-refundable, and the remaining balance for parties is due two weeks before the event.

9.5. Guests are asked to leave promptly at the end of the party. If guests or hosts stay later than 15 minutes, a charge will apply.

10. Play and Safety Rules

10.1. Children must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times while in the café and play areas.

10.2. If your child (or you) are feeling unwell, we kindly ask that you stay home and visit us another day.

10.3. Please follow all play and safety rules displayed in the venue to help keep everyone safe and happy.

10.4. While we take great care to provide a safe environment, all play is at your own risk.

10.5. Only food purchased at Apple Tree is allowed on site. We ask that food is ordered within the first 30 minutes of your play session; while we will try our best, requests after this time may not be accommodated.

10.6. Encourage children to play gently, share toys, and respect others.

10.7. Socks must be worn at all times in play areas, and shoes must not be worn inside the café. Please place shoes on the designated rack or wear the provided shoe covers. Hand sanitiser should be used on entry, and all nappy-changing must take place in the designated areas.

10.8. Misuse of equipment, aggressive behaviour, or failure to follow rules may result in removal from the café without refund.

10.9. Please only photograph your own children unless you have permission from others. Unfortunately, we can't take responsibility for lost or stolen items.

11. Photos & Marketing

11.1. From time to time, we may take photos or videos in the café for marketing or social media.

11.2. If you prefer not to appear, please notify a member of staff.

12. Changes & Fair Use

12.1. We may occasionally update opening hours, session availability, or these terms.

12.2. Misuse of a membership (including sharing outside of the named child/parent(s)/carers) may result in cancellation without refund.

12.3. Membership terms and benefits may be updated from time to time.

Play & Safety Rules

To ensure everyone has the best and safest experience at Apple Tree Children's Cafe, we ask that everyone follows our Play & Safety Rules.

Supervision

All children must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times. Our team is here to support safety, but they are not responsible for supervising children.

General Guidelines

  • Our soft play and toys are designed for children aged 0 months to 5 years.
  • For hygiene and safety, both children and adults must wear socks at the café.
  • Shoes must not be worn inside our café. Please place them on the designated shoe rack or wear the provided shoe covers.
  • Please place food orders within the first 30 minutes of your play session. While we will always try our best, we may not be able to accommodate orders after this time.
  • If your child (or you) are unwell, please stay home and visit us another day — we're always happy to rearrange your session where we can.
  • At the end of your session, please vacate the café promptly so we can clean and prepare it for the next guests.

Behaviour & Play

  • Please encourage children to play kindly and be mindful of others.
  • Toys and play spaces are for everyone, please encourage turn-taking where needed.
  • Be considerate of other children and parents to help keep a calm and welcoming environment.
  • Please ensure children use the soft play equipment and toys as intended.

Hygiene

  • Please use the hand sanitiser provided before entering the play area.
  • Use our designated nappy-changing facilities.
  • If an accident happens, please notify a team member so we can assist quickly.

Safety & Security

  • To respect everyone's privacy, please avoid taking photos or videos of children other than your own without permission.
  • Please keep an eye on your belongings. Unfortunately, we can't take responsibility for lost or stolen items.

Non-Compliance

We want everyone to have a lovely visit. If you do not follow these guidelines, we may need to ask you to leave without a refund.

Booking Terms

  • Play sessions are designed for children under 5 years old.
  • Bookings should only include children within this age range. Older children are welcome to use our café's seated areas.
  • The booking adult accepts full responsibility for supervising all children in their group at all times.
  • Apple Tree Children's Cafe reserves the right to refuse access to the play area if these terms are not followed.

Cancellations, Rescheduling & Parties

We do not offer refunds for bookings. If you cannot attend your play session, we will always try our best to help reschedule your booking if you contact us at least 48 hours before your session.

Party Bookings

  • Party deposits are non-refundable.
  • The remaining balance for your party is due 2 weeks before the event date.
  • We kindly ask all guests and hosts to leave promptly at the end of the party.
  • A 15-minute grace period is allowed. If your group remains beyond this time, additional charges will apply.

Thank you for helping us create a safe, clean, and happy space for all families. We can't wait to welcome you to Apple Tree Children's Cafe.