Barnville play area opens inside Mamiina shop at Stonham Barns Park

A new indoor role play area has opened at a Suffolk retail village featuring a cottage for little bakers and a dinosaur cave for explorers.

Barnville, opened on Februray 11, at Stonham Barns Park, near Stowmarket, inside the Mamiina baby shop.

Featuring a construction area, ice cream shop and a market stall the play area is the brainchild of Simona Pounds, 34, of Mendlesham.

The mum of five-year-old Maddalena and two-year-old Ilyana, said she and her partner Steve Bullman, 48, were overwhelmed with the number of bookings they received within 48 hours of opening.

Barnville, which was fully booked every day in half term, is aimed at children up to the age of five.

Simona said: “Reviews have been great and I haven’t had a negative comment yet.

“Everyone seems really happy and because it is a small play area parents like that they can sit and watch their children play.”

Her highlight so far, has been seeing families enjoying themselves in the play area which ‘took so long to create’.

It was after the birth of Ilyana, that Simona came up with the idea of Barnville.

Her hope is it will provide support for the educational development of young children.

Simona said: “The play we can provide here is educational in a very safe and secure setting.

“The products are all beautifully designed to stimulate creative play and we think the children will grow and build their confidence by coming to these sessions with their parents."

Simona and Steve started the Mamiinia business in July 2020, while researching the safety and effectiveness of baby care products.

Steve, a web developer, created the website for Barnville - where parents can book sessions in advance.