Sharky's
Henfield, Sussex · Playground
The bit you came for
Our verdict
Kids
6.1/10
Age Fit 6 · Fun Factor 6
Parents
4.8/10
Seating 6 · Coffee Quality 6
Good for older children, but the tiny tots’ area and booking faff are hard to forgive.
The long read worth saving for nap time
What’s it actually like?
Sharky's is a playground-style family venue in Sussex with an indoor play offer, a cafe, seating, toilets and a covered play area. Reviews suggest it works best for children who can properly run around and make the most of the main space. Parents do seem to appreciate the practical bits: parking nearby, helpful staff, and party bookings that run smoothly. The cafe and waiting area mean you can at least have a sit down while the kids burn off energy, which is half the battle. The weak point is the under-3 area, which multiple reviews describe as tired, broken and poorly protected from bigger children. Booking also sounds fiddly, with slot issues and a strict half-hour system that can feel poor value if you arrive unprepared. Not ideal for babies, and not brilliant on value either.
Two-minute orientation
Quick read
Best for energetic children aged roughly 5-11 who want to run about. There’s a cafe, seating, toilets and parking, so parents aren’t left entirely stranded. Babies and toddlers get a rough deal: tired equipment, weak separation, and full-price charges.
Best for ages
Strong score for mixed-age siblings
The boring brilliant stuff
Need to know
Indoor vs outdoor split
Indoor / outdoor mix
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?
Probably not
Probably not on-site. Bring a changing mat for the boot.
Food on-site & BYO
Yes: Food available on-site — cafe or kiosk.
Locate it
Henfield, Sussex
THINGS PARENTS ASK
Common questions
Is Sharky's good for toddlers and babies?
Not really. The 0-3 area is described as tired, broken and unsafe when older children wander in.
Do you need to book in advance?
Yes, apparently you do, and several reviewers had trouble with the online booking system.
Is there somewhere for parents to sit and have a drink?
Yes. Reviews mention a cafe, seating and a waiting room.
Is it worth the money?
For older kids, maybe. For younger children, several reviewers felt the price was poor value, especially for short sessions.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
Real review quotes
"extremely tired, faded and broken soft play"
"really helpful staff too"
"£8 for a one year old is disingenuous at best"