Cherry Lane Adventure Playground
Crawley, Sussex · Playground
The bit you came for
Our verdict
Kids
6.8/10
Age Fit 7 · Fun Factor 7
Parents
5.6/10
Value 7 · Sanity Preservation 6
Good for a run-around, but the tired bits stop it being a proper day out.
The long read worth saving for nap time
What’s it actually like?
Cherry Lane Adventure Playground sounds like it was once a much grander beast. The reviews describe a big outdoor adventure space with a fort-style structure, sandpit, slides, swings and other challenges spread across a decent amount of room. For children, the appeal is clear enough: fixed diggers in the sandpit, different play areas for different ages, and plenty of space to roam. A few reviewers loved how quiet it was, and one noted it was well laid out and engaging, with shade from the trees and a free parking area nearby. The snag is that several reviews mention it feels run down, with broken bits, overgrown trees and features removed over time, including a water feature and a tunnel that’s now closed off. Toilets are mentioned, but food, coffee and proper facilities are otherwise unclear. Handy for a short play, less convincing if you’re expecting a polished family attraction.
Two-minute orientation
Quick read
Big outdoor adventure playground with sand, slides, swings and a fort. Best for ages 3-7, especially if your child likes digging and climbing. It’s usually quiet, has free parking nearby and some shade under trees. But it’s looking a bit neglected, with broken bits, no water feature and no real café info in the reviews.
Best for ages
Strong score for mixed-age siblings
The boring brilliant stuff
Need to know
Indoor vs outdoor split
Mostly outdoor
Parking detail
Full parking wording is landing soon — meanwhile check Maps plus the venue’s own FAQs.
Dog-friendly?
Likely OK
Outdoor venues like this usually allow dogs on leads — call ahead to confirm.
Pram-friendly?
Mostly fine
Usually OK on main paths. Check for accessible routes if you need them.
Baby change?
Yes
Baby change facilities on site.
Food on-site & BYO
Probably not: Probably no food on-site. Pack a picnic.
Locate it
Crawley, Sussex
THINGS PARENTS ASK
Common questions
Is it good for toddlers?
Yes, but more for confident little ones who can manage outdoor play; it seems better for ages 3+.
What do children actually do there?
Dig in the sandpit, use the fixed diggers, climb the fort, and play on slides and swings.
Is there a café or food on site?
Unknown from the reviews.
Are there toilets and baby-changing facilities?
Toilets are mentioned, and one review says baby-changing meant they had to use them; dedicated changing facilities are unknown.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
Real review quotes
"the sand pit is still fun"
"It’s fine for a short play"
"It could be so much more!"