Rainbow World is one of a British institution -- inside play parks, because let's face it, it's too…read morecold for kids to play outside, even in the summer, in the Land of Never Stops Precipitating.
The fine folks at Rainbow World bought out a large warehouse on a large industrial estate, and turned it into a play park full of slides, swings, ball pits and fun things to climb around on.
There is also a mini go-karting area for £1 extra, with a size limit and minimum, but it's great fun!
The prices are a bit high on weekends, but if you stay for a good few hours, it's worth the cash.
The lighting is harsh, the decor is twee and it reminds you that once, you had weekends to go to quaint, tasteful cafes, and now spend time freezing on football pitches and drinking lukewarm Nescafe in equally freezing indoor play parks, because a little person calls the shots.
Rainbow World can be rented out for children's parties in part or in full. As play parks go, it's not very large (Crash Bang Wallop is much better), but it does get the job done.
A nice feature is the small basketball cum football court off to one side, and also a smaller "play grotto" for toddlers and tiny tots.
There is food here, but imagine your worst frozen-pub-food nightmare, and that's what you should expect. I'd go for a Slushee, personally.
The staff are some of the rudest, least hygienically presented I've ever seen. I've never been smiled at when at Rainbow World. The neat feature of not being able to leave or enter without someone opening the door for you means that staff can see you waiting at the door, roll their eyes and stomp over to open you out without a word. It's all very couth, really.
Be warned: there are only about 15 parking spaces, and traffic wardens regularly go around looking for money to be made for the council.
All in all, if you're desperate to give your tot something to do in the winter months, Rainbow World is alright, but it's really best avoided.