Playgroups in and around Clitheroe

This is a list of cheap or free playgroups in or near Clitheroe, Ribble Valley. It’s a work in progress, leave a comment if you have more info!

I am regularly getting info about bits being of of date, I’ll just paste the updates at the top till I’ve got time to update properly:

Library new times/dates

Mon baby bounce & rhyme 2-2:30pm
Fri story time 10:30-11am
Sat Lego club 11-12pm

thanks Becky!

The Ark toddler group
When: Tuesdays in term-time 1.30pm – 3.00pm
Where: Clitheroe Community Church, Millthorne Avenue, Clitheroe, BB7 2LE
Cost: optional donations
What: Stay-and-play session for families with babies and pre-school children

Sessions include free play, activities such as craft or play dough, refreshments and a group time for songs or parachute play.

thanks Christine

Jack and Jills

When: Monday 9:15-11:15, term time only. Cost: £2 per child, discount for siblings. Where: lower hall of st Mary’s center, off paradise lane. What: Noisy play time followed by a snack, story and sing along. Term time only.

Anna said: “I love this group, it’s a bit scruffy and loud, but welcoming and non-judgemental. A good place to go when you’ve no clean pants and just need a break!”

Website: Jack and Jills on the St Mary’s church page.

The downside of jack and jills is definitely the poor facilities, with no baby changing in the cramped and uncomplicated toilets, nappy changes are done on a mat in the hall. It’s also often dusty or dirty in the hall, and can be cold at times. Crawling babies wrap up warm!

Note: accessibility is poor: The entrance is off a steep cobbled lane, with uneven steps. The hall entrance has multiple steps and no grab rails. It may be possible to access the building step free from upstairs (?) however toilets are down steps and there is no accessible toilet once in the hall. There is blue badge parking very close by, however. Also, the baby changing facilities are inadequate

Leaping lizards music time

When: 9-11am Cost: Leaping  £4.50 Where: Leaping lizards play centre, Clitheroe. What:  I’ll try it soon and let you know!

Booking is currently essential due to Covid restrictions

Website:  https://m.facebook.com/leapinglizardsplaycentre/

Clitheroe Library Song Time

When: 2-2:30 (including during school holidays!) Where: Clitheroe library children’s section Cost: free! What: half an hour of low-key music and fun

Anna says: “An absolute gem, no loud music or hype, just calm and fun songs, and brilliant engagement from the library staff. They have a box of shakers and some picture cards and have provided lyrics for the adults to help them sing along. The staff are great with both the little ones and the older kids and so it’s a great session for siblings to enjoy together. You can get a book or two out after!”

Sometimes the parents/guardians will go for a coffee after in town, all welcome! A good place to meet other parents.

The downside: no proper changing or toilet facilities. Apparently there is a changing mat if you ask, but it would need to be used in the children’s library which is now on the main floor and quite public. Upstairs there is a public toilet, accessed by a small lift which won’t fit most/many pushchairs, and there is no changing table so if you need to pee you have to put your baby on the floor. No seat reducer for the toilet either. I’ve asked the council about this several times, nothing helpful in return.

Note: pushchair access from downstairs, as the main entrance has steps.

Grindletots in Grindleton

When: 9:30-11:30 Cost: £2.50 Where: the pavillion, grindleton. What: A smaller playgroup in a room with a view (over pendle).

Anna says “A nice group with some lovely toys. The best thing is the cosy modern room with lovely view.”

The community center (pavilion) has a playground outside. See the grindletots Facebook group for more info.

Free parking outside with two blue badge spaces. Step free access and disabled toilet.

Whalley little fishes

When: 9:15-11 (term time only) Where: Whalley Methodist church Cost: £2 What: spacious playgroup with multiple rooms, nice toys and song time at the end.

Anna says “A lovely warm welcome, and the kids all eat together on a long table at snack time like a party. This group has some really good quality toys, everything is clean and tidy. It’s quite a large group but because there are three rooms and the cars/bikes etc are separate to the other toys it never feels too manic or stressful.”

Facebook page: https://m.facebook.com/groups/1039808126091055/

Website: https://www.clitheroemethodistcircuit.co.uk/whalleylittlefishes.htm

Whalley Wednesday

When: 9:30-11 term time only  in Whalley village hall, £3.Anna says: “The most welcoming playgroup I’ve been too, with lashings of toast and   hot drinks on tap, this place really makes you feel looked after.” Take a look at the Whalley Wednesday Facebook page.

You can park at the coop but you need to validate your parking by purchasing from the store. Disabled parking is free but you need to give your car registration number at in store. There is a disabled toilet with baby changing facility at the hall and flat level access.

Catholic institute?

Snuggle and sing

Trinity Tots

When: 9:15-11 Where: Clitheroe Methodist Church (in park) Cost: £3 What: Good range of toys and activities in a large and newly renovated hall

This group has play time in a big hall, and provides snacks, drink. There are also some organised activities, so it’s good for an older child or families with children of different ages.

There is good disabled access and a nice accessible toilet. There is parking on site, but it’s tricky to get in and out so better to walk. I’ve heard in warm weather the group does activities and games in the park, which sounds great.

The best bit: You can pay card here, no need to scrabble around for your pound coins!

Website: https://www.clitheroemethodistcircuit.co.uk/trinitytots.htm

Children’s church

When: 1:30pm Where: St Mary Magdalene Church, Clitheroe. Cost: Free What: A small child friendly service with songs, shakers, holding crosses and (battery powered) candles. Also available via zoom! See the St Mary’s website for more info.

Story Time

When: 2-2:30pm Where: Clitheroe library Cost: free What: I’ll check it out soon!

The sister session to song time in Monday’s.

Wadington Waddlers

When: 9.15 – 11 Where: Methodist Church, Wadington Cost: £3 What: Playgroup with some organised activities and snacks.

Anna says “Personally I found this group rather loud and stressful in a small space.. However, now that chatburn chums is running again (also Friday mornings) it is probably a bit less crowded. From the toys and activity selection, I’d say wadington is probably better for older children, where as chatburn is amazing for babies. I also have a problem with churches that charge for playgroups with bible readings and Sunday-school style activities. If it’s it’s a church service for children, it should be free”

Website: https://m.facebook.com/groups/1601532556816039/

Buddies in bolton by bowland

9:30-11:30 Buddies playgroup at Bolton by bowland primary school

See their Facebook group

Chatburn chums

When: two sessions 9:15-10:45 and 11-12:30 Where: Chatburn Methodist church Cost: £2 What: A lovely playgroup with a violinist/pianist, lovely baby toys and activities for older children. Good food.

Anna says “This is a lovely Playgroup, ideal for younger babies. With a bubble machine and a musician who does song time with violin and piano, and extra yummy snaks it’s just great. I love that it starts a little later, as it’s a Friday.”

Accessibility: there is parking on site and a good accessible toilet with baby changing facilities. However, it can be quite busy and with lots of babies in the floor so it isn’t as accessible as e.g. Trinity tots or Whalley Wednesday’s which are in larger rooms.

Some satnavs direct you to the wrong church, best to check the route before you go”.

Note: Currently ticketed and due to covid

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/chatburn-methodist-baby-and-toddler-group-tickets-189137394037

Want to list a playgroup?

This page is focused on:

• Community or volunteer run playgroups or parent and toddler groups
• Private groups that don’t require a subscription (turn up and pay)
• Some regular events at venues such as play-centre and swimming pool that don’t need advance booking
• Church or other religions services specifically for young children
• Reviews of these groups

The list does not include:

• Courses or private groups that require subscriptions or block booking
• After-school stuff (babies and tots only on this list)
• Anything too far away from Clitheroe

Drop a comment below to add a group!