Now the first way to find these places is to look in and see how well I can get my pushchair through the door and into the building. Many spaces lack this basic welcome. And then the next thing I look for is high chairs to feed the little one and a good toilet in which I can change the baby or go to the loo whilst keeping an eye on my little one.
And so in my perambulations, I came across Under the Greenwood Tree; a bookshop which also serves coffee and cake and baby food (for the little ones of course - not to go with the cake)! As you enter the building, there is a long ramp that takes you into the shop. This not only makes it accessible to buggy mums but to disabled people. The shop is full of goodies, lots of children's books and toys for little kids and some that big kids would be very pleased to receive.
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| Under the Greenwood tree - Clapham Old Town |
You can also stop and have a coffee and (like I did) give the little one some food. So my young un sat in the high chair whilst I fed her. They also sell some baby food in case you have been caught short -starving baby and no puree! For the slightly older child, there are some toys for them to play with. So it is a really good space to take a break.
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| Boo-boo enjoys contemplating her next read as she has her lunch. |
However what makes it superb asides from the lovely things to buy is the fantastic toilet! For a start, you can comfortably get the buggy in and move around. And then, the toilet is kitted out for every kind of small child toilet moment procedure Whether toddler step, potty, nappies and nappy wipes, you name it and its probably in there. It's also a very cosy warm toilet. Possibly the best baby change and toddler toilet experience in Lambeth!
This shop is located in 11 The Polygon, Clapham, SW4 0JG. It can be reached by buses 88, 37, 155, 322, 35, 345 and 137. For further info, call them on 020 7627 4557. They hold a storytime session at 11am on a Saturday morning (which I haven't been to).
However, I have been to the Wednesday storytime session (for pre-school children) at Clapham Books. This is on at 11am in the back of the shop which has a whole area dedicated to children's books. Myself and the baby Boo-boo, travelled to see what this storytime has to offer. The books are read by a lady called Seta who does a fantastic job. There are some stools the children (or grown ups) can sit on and a play rug that goes on the floor. With the range of books in the kids department, the session can be geared to whoever comes along. We thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone in the area.
Clapham Books is located at 120 Clapham High Street Clapham, SW4 7UH. The same buses as above will get you into the area. For further info, call them on 020 7627 2797
And finally, ready for some more storytime? Well, Clapham library, in it's wonderful new space, offers toddlers' storytime, rhymes and singing 3 days a week! So on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 10:30am pop along to the Mary Seacole house where the library lives, descend the ramp and hang out with Clapham's little ones as they listen to stories.
Clapham library is at Mary Seacole Centre, 91 Clapham High Street, SW4 7DB. . Buses are already mentioned. The area is served by two tube stations (if you are brave): Clapham North and Clapham Common. And the overground passes through here at the Clapham High Street station.
So mums and dads, pop over to Clapham for some book based activities and try not buy to much for yourself from the lovely shops in the area!
