Lappa Valley to Invest £1.2 million in New Indoor Play Area

6th September 2019

Lappa Valley are delighted to announce that work will soon start on construction of a £1.2m building, creating a brand-new indoor soft play area and cafe at the much-loved family visitor attraction.

Work will begin in September to on a new addition to the attraction – a family favourite in Cornwall. The Engine Shed, a 7,000 square foot new building, will contain a large coffee shop and café overlooking the picturesque boating lake, with a substantial soft play area where young children can play safely. There will also be an outdoor park area, as well a beautiful decking to enjoy coffee and lunch outdoors.

The building will also allow the Lappa team an indoor space to run activities and workshops throughout the year and will see Lappa Valley opening year-round when they open for the 2020 season.

Planning permission was granted in February 2019 and, following some trial digs in the area in April, work will begin in earnest in coming weeks, with The Engine Shed opening to the public in 2020.

Keith Southwell, owner at Lappa Valley Steam Railway, said: “This is a really exciting time for the whole team at Lappa Valley. The Engine Shed will provide a place for parents to refuel and for children to let off steam.

“Here at Lappa, we’ve always been at the mercy of the great Cornish weather – but this building will give us an indoor space for families to enjoy as well as all of our great outdoor fun. We are looking forward to running classes, workshops and activities in The Engine Shed too, which is a new departure for us. We can’t wait to open the new building next year, and we hope all our visitors will love it too!”

The current Whistle Stop Café will be transformed into a retro-style ice cream parlour, while the Carriage Café, a former full-size railway carriage converted into a café, will offer sandwiches and afternoon teas, as well as the traditional Cornish cream tea.

Nestled in a valley just outside Newquay, Lappa offers a world of play and adventure for young children, transporting visitors on a steam train into a secret valley of play and fun.  Open for over 40 years, the visitor attraction is a gentle and nostalgic day out for the whole family.

Based in 35 acres of beautiful Cornish woodland, visitors travel into the park on one of Lappa’s many beautiful steam engines. The award-winning attraction is fun for all generations of the family - with activities including crazy golf, pedal cars, toddlers’ maze, play areas, wildlife walks, a canoeing lake and two further railways to explore.

Lappa Valley is open daily from 10am on Saturday 30 March – Sunday 3 November. Situated in St Newlyn East, you can enjoy all the activities on offer for the price of one great admission ticket!