New Nature Play Centre, Wild & Seek, Opens at Wild Root Kitchen, Southport

Wild & Seek, a unique nature-inspired play space designed for children from newborn to age 6, has officially opened its doors at Wild Root, a vibrant plant-based café, in Halsall, just outside Southport.

Wild & Seek aims to nurture children’s growth through outdoor, child-led play, offering young explorers a safe and engaging environment. Founded and operated by Henrietta Tomlinson, Wild & Seek is not just a play space; it is a crafted environment grounded in child development principles, psychological and counselling theories, and creative therapy. “This is a way of giving back to the community and creating something truly meaningful,” commented Henrietta Tomlinson. “A place where children can lead, explore, take risks, get messy, and feel safe.”

The outdoor area features an array of engaging play equipment, including a mud kitchen, sandpit, hammocks, water wall, play trays, slide, chalkboard, and a painting station. Inside, there’s a cosy area for Wild & Seek’s smallest visitors, complete with instruments and sensory toys to stimulate their growth and creativity.

“After starting my career as a children’s princess entertainer in 2014, I discovered the joy of bringing laughter and magic into children’s lives. A few years and several degrees later, I’ve explored how children grow, heal, and thrive, and my goal has always been to create a perfect place where play and nature can connect. And that’s exactly why Wild & Seek has been born.”

Wild & Seek offers 90-minute stay & play sessions that encourage open-ended play with natural materials, promoting movement, creativity, social connections, and independence among children. Each session is designed to allow children the freedom to explore while providing ample space for parents and caregivers to relax and enjoy Wild Root’s food and drink offerings.

Prices begin at £11 for one adult and one child, with siblings under one year old admitted free of charge.