Our Story | Kidspace Romford | Where Real Childhood Happens

The Philosophy
How It All Began

Where Every Child's Adventure Begins

Discover Our World

Kidspace Romford isn't just a play centre - it's a place where real childhood happens.

Every climb, every race, every moment of wide-eyed wonder is part of your family's story.

From the moment you walk through the doors, children are free to explore, discover and play on their own terms. There are no scripts here - just big imaginations and even bigger adventures waiting to unfold.

From the thundering go-kart track to the towering play frames, from the soft-ball arena to the magical Oceanarium - every corner invites children to push boundaries, make memories and simply be kids.

Children don't just visit Kidspace Romford... they become part of the adventure - racing friends through tunnels, scaling climbing walls and discovering something new every single time.

Explore Kidspace Romford

Where It All Started

The Founders’ Vision

Kidspace Romford was the very first attraction opened by founders Nick de Candole and Richard Farley. It was here, in Romford, that a bold idea took its first breath.

Their passion was simple but powerful - to create a place where children could truly play freely, where families could make memories that last a lifetime, and where the joy of real childhood could be protected and celebrated.

They believed that play isn't just fun - it's how children grow, explore, connect and discover who they are. That belief is written into every slide, every climbing frame, every inch of Kidspace Romford.

That thinking sits behind everything we do.

"We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing"

George Bernard Shaw

Nick de Candole

Co-Founder of Kidspace and The Escapade Group
Richard 'Charlie' Farley

Co-Founder of Kidspace and The Escapade Group

A note from our founders:

Welcome to Escapade. Before anything else, we want you to know one important thing: this business was built on friendship, trust, and the belief that great things happen when people who care about each other work toward a shared purpose.

We’ve been friends since we were about fifteen years old. Long before Escapade existed, we spent years working together in property development, and while it paid the bills, it didn’t give us that sense of meaning or fulfilment we were looking for.

The coin flip

In 2005, we sat down with two big ideas in front of us: a high-quality children’s attraction, and a stylish men’s gym-wear brand. We couldn’t pick between them… so we tossed a coin.

That coin flip led to Kidspace Romford, our first site, and it set us on a journey that became far bigger than either of us expected.

Since then, Escapade has grown into a group of attractions that hundreds of thousands of families visit every year. What started as two friends wanting to build something better has become a team of passionate people creating memorable experiences for guests every single day.

And now you’re part of that story.

Our mission and values aren’t just words on a page, they’re the principles that guided us from that first coin toss to where we are today.

If this sense of adventure and imagination resonates with you, you’ll feel right at home at Kidspace.

We’re delighted to welcome you. Every visit is part of the story - and we can’t wait for you to discover, explore and create unforgettable memories with us.

Kidspace Romford Indoor Adventure Park Kids Playing

Bringing Back the Joy of Real Childhood

Charlie and I hope Kidspace becomes your family's place - somewhere children can race, climb, bounce, and lose themselves in play that doesn't feel like exercise, but quietly is.

In a world where screens compete for attention more than ever, we believe children need space to switch off, move their bodies, take on challenges, and use their imagination. A wobbly moment on the climbing wall or a daring run through the Thunderdome? We see those as small badges of honour in a life of adventurous play.

We feel incredibly grateful to have grown up in the 70s, when that kind of freedom was simply part of everyday life. Kidspace is our small way of trying to bring a bit of that spirit back - a place where childhood can still feel active, exciting, and full of possibility, whatever the weather outside.

We also obsess over how Kidspace looks, feels, and surprises. Because we know great play starts with great environments. Every attraction - from the go-kart track to the Oceanarium - is designed to spark that wide-eyed moment of what's next? We layer in details, variety, and the unexpected so it doesn't feel like a typical soft play centre, but a world that rewards curiosity at every turn.

Just as importantly, we design it for grown-ups too. We want parents to feel something shift when they walk through the door - the urge to peek into the Oceanarium, cheer their child up the climbing wall, or simply exhale for a moment knowing their kids are having the time of their lives. Because when adults are present rather than just waiting, something magical happens: play becomes shared, not supervised. And those are the moments families tend to remember.

Charlie & Nick

Your family's story starts here…

Start Your Own Adventure

Your adventure at Kidspace Romford is whatever you make it. Race your mates on the go-kart track, conquer the climbing wall, blast your way through the Thunderdome, or lose yourself in the multi-level play frame - there's no right way to play here, just your way.

Are you ready to make it yours?

Book Your Journey

Always Something New to Discover

At Kidspace Romford, there's always something fresh to explore. From interactive experiences like Draw Alive and the Oceanarium to the ever-changing energy of children at play - no two visits are ever quite the same.

What will your family discover next?

Discover your next adventure

About Kidspace Romford | Our Story