I took my two-year-old there, and we both loved it
Laura Nightingale visited the Longacres Beach and enjoyed an iced latte there
Popular garden centre Longacres in Bagshot has opened a new attraction for families to enjoy this summer.
Named The Longacres Beach, it launched this month in time for the school holidays, and can be found outside beside the café terrace.
Reluctant to drive all the way down to the South Coast for some seaside fun, I popped along one afternoon this week to see what is was like.
The huge garden centre along the A30 London Road near Camberley has a massive free car park, but very few parent and child bays, so we parked in a standard space and trotted over to the entrance with all our gear.
We followed signs for the Green House Café positioned towards the rear of the building, and found the fabulous play area surrounded by tall plants and jungle animal models.
As well as wipes, a change of clothes, swimwear, hat, sun cream, snacks, the whole kitchen sink – I also brought my daughter’s bucket and spade with us, but I needn’t worried, as the sand pit was full of toys.
Shaded by two large gazebos, the wide sand pit was brilliant, with lots of beach themed games for kids to use for free.
My toddler became obsessed with an ice cream set, and we ended up buying one off the shelf from the garden centre on our way out for her to continue playing with at home.
While it is called a ‘beach’ there isn’t actually any water, so there’s no need to pack a cossie.
There is however, lots of tables surrounding the sand pit; firstly to keep the kids contained a bit, and secondly so parents can enjoy five minutes piece and a caffeine fix while their offspring play in arm’s reach.
Longacres Beach has opened at Longacres Garden Centre in Bagshot
I bought an iced latte from the gorgeous, recently refurbished café (the food there looks amazing by the way too) and a juicy water for my little girl.
Open for breakfast daily from 8am to 11.30am (from 10am on Sundays), you’ll find everything from a full English and bacon sarnies, to eggs Benedict, pancakes and avocado on sourdough.
Lunch is available daily from 11.30am to 4pm with the menu featuring pizza, sandwiches, salads, toasties, jacket potatoes and burgers, plus scrumptious cakes and sweet treats can be enjoyed all day until closing.
Each table outside has a handy QR code so you can order straight from your seat if you don’t want to walk a few steps inside the café.
Sitting peacefully in the summer sunshine while my daughter played lovely in the free sand pit was such a treat… for both of us! We will definitely be back before school starts.
How to visit Longacres Garden Centre
Address: London Road/ A30, Bagshot, GU19 5JB.Opening times: Monday to Wednesday 7am – 5.30pm, Thursday 7am – 8pm, Friday and Saturday 7am – 6pm and Sunday 10am – 4.30pm.Parking: Large, free car park on site.Entry fee: Free.Facilities: Toilets, baby changing, cafe with indoor and outdoor seating.
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