Parkridge Visitor Centre - Warwickshire Wildlife Trust - Solihull

Liz Watts

I visited the cafe today with a few other mums, planning to enjoy some food and drinks while feeding our little ones. To our dismay, we were informed we couldn’t feed our babies with food pouches we brought along, despite the fact that they don’t even sell baby food pouches in the café! We fully intended to buy our own meals and drinks, but we were not allowed to feed our babies with simple pouches we’d brought along from home.

We were told we’d have to go outside to feed them if we wanted to use our own baby food as ‘packed lunches were not allowed’. It’s November, cold, and not at all comfortable to feed babies outdoors in these temperatures. A baby food pouch isn’t remotely like bringing in a packed lunch, and expecting mothers to take young babies outside to feed is unrealistic and unfair.

The lack of understanding and flexibility left us feeling unwelcome. It’s a shame that the café doesn’t have a more family-friendly approach. I would love to see the cafe update its policy to accommodate parents with young children and make it clear they are welcome too. Until then, we will be looking for more accommodating venues.

Shelley Brettle

Me and a small group of Mum's went in today to eat food and enjoy a coffee whilst on mat leave. We were about to feed our babies straight away after sitting down and got told we couldn't be in the cafe to feed our babies as we can't use the place just to feed. I explained we were going to be ordering food and drinks ourselves shortly but she persisted in saying we had to go outside. This didn't make any sense and seemed pretty discriminatory towards woman with babies. I've never been anywhere that doesn't allow you to feed your baby as long as we were ordering ourselves. Needless to say they lost out on the purchases of all our food and drinks orders The most ridiculous policy. Also the few minutes we were in there, there was another family eating with their son eating from a lunchbox with no problems there. Very wrong to make new mums feel excluded. Shall not be returning. Also I therefore ended up changing my baby on a picnic bench in the freezing cold.

Emma Andrews

Visited for the Diwali light trail, for the second year. Everything was beautiful and well done for the kids. Considering joining the trust to be able to take my daughter here more often.

Madeleine Brittle

Lovely park cafe with nature walk round the back with interactive things for kids, always have loads of activities during school holidays, always friendly and polite staff

Paul Hallgarth

Brueton Park is a wonderful place to explore. Plenty of walking tracks and places to observe the wide variety of birds that live there.The Parkridge Visitor Centre is perfect place to have a something to eat or drink whilst having the chance to watch birds feeding on the feeders situated by the windows.
The food is tasty and freshly prepared. The staff are friendly and helpful and another good point is that the drinks are served in eco friendly cups.

Andrea “Annie Monie” Hickman

Handy to have a place to meet with a friend in the lovely park. The cappuccino wasn't very good and the whole place feels like it could do with an update.

Eleanor Shakeshaft

We enjoyed a toastie which was perfect for lunch. It is great to find somewhere easy for a light bite and with good food

IAN COLLINS

All I can say is the most lovely girls work here. The most helpful in many ways, even allowing us to try a slice of cake before buying. Even came over to our table. This place in Bruton Park is the best.