With a mud kitchen, a multi-storey play area and giant bouncy pillow – this new children’s play centre could be the ideal place to visit during the summer holidays.

East Anglian Daily Times: A bouncy pillow is one of the main attractions at the new soft play area in Colchester. Picture: CRAFT NURSERIES GARDEN CENTREA bouncy pillow is one of the main attractions at the new soft play area in Colchester. Picture: CRAFT NURSERIES GARDEN CENTRE (Image: CRAFT NURSERIES GARDEN CENTRE)

Craft Nurseries Garden Centre in Lawford opened its own soft play area on Saturday, June 29, suitable for newborns up to the age of 12.

The play area also has a bouncy pillow, a mud kitchen and a chalk board area, with some further climbing frames set to be installed in coming months.

The child-friendly garden centre also has five pygmy goats and they plan to introduce some new animals to the collection soon.

The centre's cafe, which is not yet finished, currently serves coffee, tea and cake, plus snacks and cold drinks. But once fully operational they will have sandwiches, toasties and jacket potatoes on offer.

East Anglian Daily Times: The new soft play area in Colchester. Picture: CRAFT NURSERIES GARDEN CENTREThe new soft play area in Colchester. Picture: CRAFT NURSERIES GARDEN CENTRE (Image: Archant)

The play barn will be open the same time as the garden centre - from 10am to 4.30pm from Mondays to Saturdays and from 10am to 4pm on Sundays.

Despite only being open for just two days, the centre has already received a huge amount of support and praise online from parents who were eager to visit or are planning to go soon.

One said: "Looks lovely, we have needed something like this for years."

Another added: "We are here at the moment trying out the soft play area and it's fab."

East Anglian Daily Times: The new soft play area in Colchester. Picture: CRAFT NURSERIES GARDEN CENTREThe new soft play area in Colchester. Picture: CRAFT NURSERIES GARDEN CENTRE (Image: Archant)

Entry to the family-friendly centre is £5.50 per child, with babies under 18 months and adults getting in for free.

For more information see the garden centre's Facebook page.

East Anglian Daily Times: The new soft play area in Colchester. Picture: CRAFT NURSERIES GARDEN CENTREThe new soft play area in Colchester. Picture: CRAFT NURSERIES GARDEN CENTRE (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: The new soft play area in Colchester. Picture: CRAFT NURSERIES GARDEN CENTREThe new soft play area in Colchester. Picture: CRAFT NURSERIES GARDEN CENTRE (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: The new soft play area in Colchester. Picture: CRAFT NURSERIES GARDEN CENTREThe new soft play area in Colchester. Picture: CRAFT NURSERIES GARDEN CENTRE (Image: Archant)

East Anglian Daily Times: The new soft play area in Colchester. Picture: CRAFT NURSERIES GARDEN CENTREThe new soft play area in Colchester. Picture: CRAFT NURSERIES GARDEN CENTRE (Image: Archant)