Children's Birthday Party Venues in and around Corbridge

Planning a child's birthday party usually comes down to one early decision: do you want a venue that runs the whole thing for you, or a hall you can make your own? Around Corbridge there are good options of both kinds within a ten-minute drive. This guide covers the main party venues, what they offer and what to ask before you book.

Prices, packages and booking rules change, so treat the details below as a starting point and confirm them directly with each venue.

Brocksbushes Play Barn

For younger children, the play barn at Brocksbushes Farm, just off the A69 east of the village, is the closest all-in-one party venue to Corbridge. The barn has four levels of soft play and an outdoor play area, and parties are aimed at children up to the age of 11.

Parties run in any of the play barn's daily two-hour sessions, with one party booked per session, and the party group has its own private area. The farm has advertised party prices from £12.50 per child, with a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 30 children, and food packages are available. A deposit is taken when you book, and parties need to be booked at least seven days ahead. You can also order a homemade birthday cake from the farm.

The appeal is that children get a proper run-around while adults can sit nearby, and the café and farm shop are on site. Parking is easy.

Wentworth Leisure Centre, Hexham

Wentworth Leisure Centre on Wentworth Place in Hexham offers the widest choice of party types near Corbridge. Places Leisure, which runs the centre, offers swimming parties, sports parties in the sports hall, soft play parties and bowling parties.

The soft play is a three-storey, medieval-themed frame for children up to the age of 10, with sessions of 75 minutes. The eight-lane ten-pin bowling alley suits older children who have outgrown soft play, and a pool party can be a hit with confident swimmers. The centre has free parking and a café.

To check availability and current party prices, ring the centre on 01670 620200 or use the Places Leisure website. Popular weekend slots go quickly, especially in winter.

Corbridge Parish Hall

If you would rather keep the party in the village, Corbridge Parish Hall on St Helen's Street is the obvious choice. The main hall holds up to 150 people, which is plenty of room for party games, a bouncy castle or an entertainer, and there is a well-equipped kitchen for party food.

Two smaller rooms, the Mearns Room and Room One, each hold around 30 people and can suit a younger child's party or a quieter gathering. The hall is hired by the hour or part hour, with bookings taken by the parish clerk. Hiring a hall means you organise the entertainment, food and clear-up yourself, but it gives you complete control over the party and is within walking distance for most village guests.

Hexham Community Centre

In the centre of Hexham, Hexham Community Centre on Gilesgate offers the Stan Batey Hall specifically for children's birthday parties. The centre has advertised children's party hire from £50, which makes it one of the more affordable hall options in the area.

The centre is run by the Hexham & Tynedale Community Trust, a registered charity, and is close to Hexham's railway and bus stations. Contact the office on 01434 602707 or by email to check dates and what is included.

Choosing the right venue

A few things to think about before you book:

• Age of the children. Soft play suits under-tens best. Older children may prefer bowling, a pool party or a sports party.
• Numbers. Package venues often have minimum and maximum numbers. A hall gives more flexibility for large class parties.
• Food. Package venues usually offer set party food. With a hall, you bring your own and can cater for allergies and preferences exactly.
• Entertainment. Halls need an entertainer, a disco or organised games. If you book an entertainer, check that they bring their own equipment and hold public liability insurance, which most halls ask for.
• Timing. Weekend afternoons are the most popular slots everywhere. Booking four to six weeks ahead is sensible, and longer for the run-up to Christmas.
• Travel. Brocksbushes and the parish hall are the easiest for Corbridge guests. Wentworth and the community centre are about ten minutes' drive away in Hexham, and both are close to public transport.

Other ideas

For a smaller celebration, some families book a family outing instead of a party, such as a visit to a local attraction or a meal out. Our guide to family activities in Corbridge has more ideas for days out with children in and around the village.

Whatever you choose, booking early and confirming the details in writing will make the day itself far less stressful.