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Head Over Heels, Handforth Dean, review
Denise McGlinchey and her toddler are head over heels for this new play centre
It’s Monday morning and my friend has just called to say she can’t make our weekly meet. It’s raining outside and I’m stuck in the house with my little one. As much as I love his company, I know that it won’t be long before he starts climbing the walls with boredom. I need to escape before the cat gets carried around the house by her tail.
I am going to have to eat my words. For me, this centre is the best I have been to in Manchester - much better than the original site in Chorlton. I really enjoyed my morning here. The little one had such a good time, hardly stopping for breath with excitement and I loved watching him run around like a chicken that’s escaped from the coop.
Head Over Heels is well known for its award winning site in Chorlton. But recently this mummy mecca has opened another venue in Handforth Dean. I have to admit that indoor play centres are not really my thing; I find them a bit claustrophobic. But today is not about me, it’s about my toddler and the cat’s safety.
This newest location is on a trading estate just off the A34. There are plenty of parking spaces to the front and rear of the building. On entering, I am pleasantly surprised by how light and airy the place is. There is a large reception area where we’re greeted by smiling staff. The little one removes his shoes and leaves them behind the counter. He is given a red belt to wear that’s strapped around his waist. This has a sensor on it so if any of the children should want to re-create a scene from the film A Great Escape and make it to the front door, the alarm will sound. Not even Steve McQueen could get out of here unnoticed.
Once we are through the gates, it’s none stop fun. As with most play centres, the area has been sectioned off into an under three zone and an over four zone. The under threes is where we begin. There is a button to press to enter and exit on every gate into this area which, if you have a two-year-old who thinks he’s a four-year-old like I do, is a Godsend. I usually spend my time chasing him as he catches site of the huge slide in the older kids’ section but not today - he can’t get out without me.
For an under threes area this is fantastic. There are lots of things to do. At one end there is a play area with a wooden playhouse cafe and grocers shop. It is kitted out with cookers, cupboards, tables, plastic crockery, pots, pans – you name it. Next to this is a cycle area and this leads into the soft play and climbing part. There are books, a ball pit, padded shapes and slides which are all great for the smaller kids. The climbing area has enough to occupy any child under three, even the most adventurous ones.
As the over fours section was relatively quiet (I went at about 10am) I was allowed to take my little monkey in. Not only was this amazing fun for him, it was great exercise for me. Forget your gym membership; just follow your kid around one of these for an hour or so. We were up ladders, through plastic tunnels, across tightropes and down slides. It was like an indoor army assault course – only harder in my unfit opinion.
In between the older and younger kids’ section is an electric racing car track, bungee trampolines, a disco room, a theatre stage, a sensory room and even a mini cinema room which, to the kids delight, was playing the much loved Peppa Pig. The room offered big soft cushions and time out from the madness. Once reenergised, it’s back out for more escapades.
After the mornings exertions it was time for a break. The cafe is large, clean and spacious – a great place to sit and watch your children and to meet with friends for a chat. When you pay to enter the venue at the reception area, you’re given a £2 voucher on the receipt that’s redeemable in the cafe. I managed to resist the rows of pastries and cakes and opted for the inevitable latte whilst the little one ordered a carton of apple juice and a bowl of tomato pasta for a power boost. The menu is varied and obviously very kiddie friendly.
I am going to have to eat my words. For me, this centre is the best I have been to in Manchester - much better than the original site in Chorlton. I really enjoyed my morning here. The little one had such a good time, hardly stopping for breath with excitement and I loved watching him run around like a chicken that’s escaped from the coop. There is loads to do, it’s bright and open with ample space and it’s easy to spend a few hours here. The staff were very friendly, the facilities were excellent and it’s the perfect way to cheer up a miserable rainy day. I’m converted.
For more information about the centre and prices go to www.headoverheelsplay.co.uk
Head Over Heels
Unit D
Commercial Avenue
Stanley Green
Cheadle
SK8 6QH
Tel: 0161 485 2200
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15 comments so far, continue the conversation, write a comment.
Latest Rants
Do not rate this place at all. Total rip off, especially for food and drink. Miserable staff and not enough on the desk at busy times.
I thought that this place was amazing!!! having visited countless number of these play areas over the years I can honestly say it was by FAR the BEST!!
A lot more to do than just a ball pit and slide, the different types of play and activities were all prompting and encouraging interactive and imaginative play, e.g. the kitchen with equipment, the pretend shops, dress up outfits, book corner, scooters bikes and ride on bugs, as well as the cinema room, sensory room and disco room......far more than your child could tire of in a couple of hours.
Unlike most of these activity centres the baby and toddler area is usually very small in comparrison to the rest of it, this is not the case here, the 1-3 area is just as impressive as the older play area if not better.
My daughter was amazed and totally absorbed in it, she definitely did not want to leave! You couldn´t really ask for more to entertain your children….very impressed will definitely be a regular. Yes it is a little more expensive than the other places but you get what you pay for.
This is a great play centre BUT beware... when you sign up for a childrens party the prices are a LOT more expensive than Chorlton (and they are not advertised anywhere) and it is virtually impossible to get through to them by phone any day at any time.... they just dont answer nor is there a message facility. I tried for 4 days and finally by repeatedly dialling for 25 mins someone answered.
Do not touch this place with a bargepole. I booked my daughters 1st birthday in January. Its this saturday. I have been calling the Handforth site for 3 weeks to confirm numbers and also get a price. No-One ever returns your call, if i go there no-one is there to see me. I have telephoned the owner who has also failed to ring me back and ive been told 'if you cant wait for a call back, go somewhere else'. Its on Saturday! Ive also been told that she is working through a list of complaints.Apparantly Kai Rooney plays there - bet his mum doesnt get this bad service - maybe im just not rich enough!
I have 35 people coming, some from abroad. I am bitterly unhappy and now have to try and get my deposit back. Funny enough the other playcentres i have tried have had other HOH customers ringing them.
I would completely agree with the other reviews regarding children’s parties. I have had 2 previous parties at the Chorlton branch and they have been spot on, so I was expecting Handforth to be much the same. I had my 2 year olds party here in March this year (2011), it was overpriced, badly run (the staff don’t answer the phone and are miserable) and I was overcharged. Two months later, I am still waiting for the difference back. It is a fine place to take your kids for treat/a few hours out (it is a lot better than most soft play area), but expect to pay to pay a lot for it. BUT I STRONLGY ADVISE YOU NOT TO HAVE YOUR CHILDS PARTY HERE, IT IS YOUR CHILDS SPECIAL DAY AND IT WILL COST YOU LOT OF MONEY, SO DONT RISK IT.
The play area itself is really good, however, it's overpriced, dirty and the staff are unhelpful. The cafe area is a disgrace, they have open prawn rolls in the same compartment as a chocolate cake, nothing is covered and it takes ages to get served. My two who are 5 and 19 months enjoyed it but were then ill for a week from the following day! Severe vomitting and diarrhea for a full week, coincidence? I think not. Steer clear.
A business and business directors that severely lacks professionalism! I am also still awaiting monies owed to me and no matter whether you turn up at either of their premises or phone them the directors are always too busy to see you. Promises to call you or return your call never happen. Their is no communication between the business partners either. I have a child and all my mummy friends and their friends, and their friends are aware of the situation. I will never take my child to Head Over Heels. Word of mouth is a very strong advertising tool that can make or break a business. Very poor service. Very poor customer care. No professionalism. No way to run a business!
A lovely play area for children of varying ages but don't expect to eat there in your allotted time!
Understaffed and unprofessional- expect a queue to get in, order, eat and pay to get out (extra as you waited over an hour for food!)!!
Could not believe my ears when I was told to remove my bottle of still water because of the "M&S" label on it and was not bought from them !, I didnt have the whole picnic for goodness sake, just a bottle of still water !!, refused 4 times as I thought it was ridiculous, then told if I was going to refuse to abide by their rules I was to leave and take my 2 children with me !..........I went on to do so but did not pay on the way out, which they happily agreed to, crazy way to run a business and will continue to take my own water in the future, not paying £2 for a bottle of theirs of top of entrance prices.
Discerning
I visited this huge centre inCheshire, many times over the winter and spring, travelling past many such play spots. Our very first visit back in the new year saw a callamity of errors. Queues and more queues, then a poor, cold offering having waited an hour. At that time we asked for a manager or someone who could put things right, or explain all. In a short time we were attended by an American fellow, could have been Canadian in retrospect. We were angry, loads were angry, he single handedly calmed us and virtually everyone else up in arms, he was a whirlwind, full of character, personality and knew exactly what to say and how to say it. He had all of us, even my miserable old mum laughing at the end, we felt like somebody cared. In visiting recently, the place is a shadow of what it was, food was horrible, staff were useless, management totally inane, though he was hard to understand. He further told us that the fellow from before was gone as he was not good at his job and the owner sacked him. SOMEONE needs a few lessons, if indeed this was the case, get rid of the owner and most if not all the staff today. We will not return as the edge has gone, it is just a big somewhat sparkly shell with no heart, character, personality, ...a good cleaning and staff instruction wouldn't go amiss as well...this place ranks a 1 out of 10...it held a 9 in our books, back when,
Totally agree
I'm very sceptical about this review as I once encountered this so called American guy when my wife had a complaint he was very arrogant and rude and swore at her in front of the children. This being the reason why I never believe everything that you read on the internet. I recently visited head over heels and found it to be much improved since this fellow left.my advice would be to go down and see for yourself as I and my wife and children had a great time and did not find fault for the whole of our visit.
katy stockport
Went to Handforth at the weekend, with my 2 children. couldn't believe how much they charged to get in.
Also how much it was just for crisp 95p a bag, everything is really over the top. the toilets smelt really bad of urine it was terrible. wont be going there again.
Do not go here there is no heating there was a bucket of water at the top of the slide and one of the security door no one seemed bothered by these things but this wasn't acceptable to me
This place is a bit hit or miss. I've been and its been great and on other occasions the staff have been rude and the place has been dirty. It is also very expensive.
I can tolerate it being cold, I can (just) about tolerate some of the moody staff, but I really can't stand being ripped off. Just because it's near wilmslow they crank up the entrance fee - its cheaper in chorlton - and have the cheek to charge £1.60 per carton of Ribena. My friend and I took our four children today and paid £6.40 for 4 drinks! We asked if we could buy a large jug of squash but they don't offer a cheaper option. Will not be a regular visitor at these prices.o