About This Pub
Ah, Gretna Green Wacky Warehouse – it's one of those places that really warms your heart if you're out with the family, tucked away at the Gretna Green Hotel in Newton Aycliffe. From what I've gathered, it's spot on for letting the kids run wild with all sorts of slides, swings, and even an outdoor bit to explore, and the staff are just gems, always ready with a smile and to sort out parties or any special requests. The food's a pleasant surprise too, with decent options that handle dietary stuff well, and at £5 a pop for entry, it's pretty wallet-friendly. But, let's be honest, it does have its off moments – like getting jam-packed on busier days, which might leave you queuing or feeling a tad squeezed, and those rules about adults in the play zones can feel a bit strict if you're wanting to dive in with the little ones. Still, with a solid 4.0 rating overall, it's clear most folks leave with smiles, so if you're popping by, I'd say give it a go but maybe check ahead to make the most of it. All in all, it's a lovely spot for a family day out, with the good bits shining through despite a few niggles.
Pros and Cons
Pros
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The staff are absolutely brilliant – they're so helpful and welcoming, making sure everyone has a smashing time, like Tracy and the team who go above and beyond for parties and dietary needs.
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It's a proper fun haven for the little ones with loads of slides, ball pits, and even an outdoor play area, plus top-notch facilities like disabled access and free WiFi for the grown-ups.
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The food's a real winner, especially for kids' parties, with tasty options that cater to different needs, and entry fees are reasonable at just £5 per child.
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Adults and babies under 12 months get in for free, so you can pop in for a coffee and relax while the kids explore, and it's open seven days a week with flexible hours.
Cons
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It can get incredibly busy on weekends and school holidays, so you'll want to ring ahead to avoid disappointment and long waits.
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There are some strict rules about adults in the play areas, which might make you feel a bit awkward if you're trying to join in with the kids, as one experience showed.
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Not everything on the menu is always available, which could put a dampener on things if you're after a specific dish.
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Recent feedback has been a bit mixed, with the odd disappointing visit, so it might not hit the mark every time.
Contact Information
Great North Road, Aycliffe Village, Newton Aycliffe DL5 6JG
+441325300100
Children's Amusement Centre
Open Now
Opening Hours
| Monday | 09:00 - 19:00 |
| Tuesday | 09:00 - 19:00 |
| Wednesday | 09:00 - 19:00 |
| Thursday | 09:00 - 19:00 |
| Friday | 09:00 - 20:00 |
| Saturday (Today) | 09:00 - 20:00 |
| Sunday | 09:00 - 19:00 |
Recent Reviews
Went in ball pool with my 1 yr old grandson my son went down slide with,and got told of as he was a adult. But they let a 1 Yr in there on there own. When it states over 5s, my son did the sensible thing and took him down cause he wanted to join his brother. But the woman that was made us feel bad so we left, never had this problem every other time
We had our children's 4th Birthday Party here. Nothing was a problem for the staff. Food was great with dietary needs taken care of. Tracy, Judith and Greg were so helpful, friendly and welcoming so all the kids (and the adults) had a wonderful time. We will be back!
During the week there's no need to book in advance as there is near always a seat available. During weekends and school holidays however I would definitely advise calling in advance to see if there's availability as the Wacky Warehouse side gets incredibly busy.
We are frequent visitors (6-8 times monthly) and would advise buying passes (£21 a month for 2 children 8 & 9yr old) for the children as you get an extra 10% discount off of food as well as entrance to the Wacky Warehouse (which is usually around £5 per child, per visit)
The staff are very friendly and accommodating, there is space plentiful for someone with accessibility needs and is wheelchair user friendly.
If we have ever had questions or concerns with regards to our food, it's always been rectified quickly and without being made to feel like we've been a burden or on any way at fault as we have been left feeling in other local establishments.
We honestly cannot fault the staff, the food or the waiting times between ordering and receiving our meals as we are always well looked after and leave with full stomachs and tired children!
Ignore all the bad reviews!!
This place is great for kids. The food is ten times better than any other soft play in the area.
The soft play is brilliant for kids and the entrance is reasonable.
The staff are brilliant! Tracey and Lisa are fabulous. Nothing is too much trouble for them to ensure the kids/family have a great time.
Isaac has loved this place since he was 2/3 and he still loves it now. Thank you Tracey and Lisa for making our visits so lovely.
We had dinner and then breakfast at the Gretna Green...
Dinner was reasonable although a few things not available on the menu. Plenty of variety of options on the menu, as you would expect from a Hungry Horse pub. Kids enjoyed their kids meals and we all had some ice cream afterwards. The adult meals were OK, the wife had a Tikka stack, the Tikka sauce wasn't the best... I had the Korean Chicken Burger which was alright. The chips came with a Chinese seasoning which was nice. Ice cream was good, although the large chocolate mania never had any of the brownie bites or the chocolate caramel finger in it - just loads of smarties.
Breakfast wasn't the greatest - they really need to provide toast for the table or get a decent toaster as it was rubbish. Cooked breakfast you order from the waitress and they cook for you. Kids weren't keen on the sausages, and the scrambled egg wasn't all that...
The pub is very child friendly, so if your looking for somewhere to eat without feeling like you are upsetting other dinners then this is a great option.
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