[AD] I was recently invited to lunch at Monkey Park Community Café to find out about the great work they do. As a social enterprise, the purpose of Monkey Park is to improve the local community by bringing people together and supporting their efforts to improve the local area in Brampton, Chesterfield. It’s a friendly, welcoming space with lots going on.
There’s everything from stay and play sessions, where, in addition to the toys which are available all the time at the café, there are a range of musical instruments for children to use (so maybe avoid these times if you fancy a quiet coffee!). There’s a fortnightly art club which welcomes young artists starting at just 12 months old. This needs booking via a link on their website. It costs just £1.50 which goes towards the art supplies used.
There are a range of social clubs focused around activities such as crochet, sewing and book clubs. There’s also a bike workshop where volunteers refurbish adult and children’s bikes which are then sold at greatly reduced prices. Monkey Park is also open to anyone who wishes to set up their own social group.
There’s lots going on – and not just for kids. Coming up soon is their popular Halloween trail but keep an eye on their social media for more seasonal events.
Co-working space upstairs with a nice view of the park. It’s not slick, but it’s very reasonably priced and may prove a useful option for freelancers etc in light of the cost of living crisis.
Monkey Park Community Café
Run by a team of friendly, supportive staff and volunteers, the café is welcoming and inclusive. The food is good quality and freshly prepared. There’s always vegan options on the menu and a range of plant based milks are available.
I enjoyed a generously portioned, crispy, oven baked jacket potato with cheese, and optional salad and creamy coleslaw.
As a ‘not for profit’, everything was very reasonably priced. My lunch and a flat white cost just £8.80. Delicious lemon meringue cupcakes were just £1, and shortbread rounds for 50p!
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Family friendly
There are plenty of toys for children to play with, and a range of books that customers can read whilst at the café (and even take home to finish – before returning for other people to enjoy). It’s a friendly, sociable hub with Breast Feeding Welcome Here status. Just over the road is a well maintained play area.
Read about other great playgrounds in Derbyshire.
There’s also a Maker’s Market which provides local crafters and makers a very affordable retail space. Monkey Park is also a drop off point for donations for the local food bank and for Baby Basics.
Go for:
A reasonably priced, welcoming café with plenty of social activities.
Details:
Monkey Park, 128A Chester Street, Brampton, Chesterfield, S40 1DN.
Monkey Park Community Café is open Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm.
Street parking.
See their website and social media for details of what’s on when.
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