Clart About Sensory Cafe

27/07/2026

This weeks fully funded sessions are now on the website live to book!

These sessions have been funded via Point North and they are for families who may be struggling financially.

Book a session below.
https://www.clartabout.co.uk/product-category/special-events/

27/07/2026

🤣🤣🤣

26/07/2026

Clart About Award Winning Sensory Cafe is one of a kind offering a safe, stimulating, and tranquil environment designed to be inclusive of ALL children from birth.

Using fantastic state of the art technology, our sensory room allows our users to access THE VERY BEST in sensory experiences.

Upon opening in March 2018, we chose to use sustainable, timeless wooden resources and toys that not only allow children to learn through play but are also kinder to our environment, too!

Sensory environments are hugely beneficial from birth through to 100 years old! Promoting both physical and mental well-being to all.

Our interactive floor projects themed interactive images, games, and educational activities ideal for those standing, crawling, or in a wheelchair.

Babies are amazed by our sensory room with bubble tubes, fibre optics, colour column, music touch wall, disco tile and infinity panels, even the adults go home feeling relaxed from our calming and soothing environment!

Our NEW additions for 2025 include our BRAND NEW Sensory area with colour column, infinity panels, and our 'fish tank'

Our dedicated baby area is a tactile and curious way for babies to learn about the world around them, offering a heuristic approach to play using sustainable wooden and sensory resources throughout.

Our beautiful wooden caravan and home corner offers role play opportunities that help aid all aspects of little ones' development where their imaginations can flow!

Our Sensory Soft Play allows your little ones to explore safely within the padded area, too! Great for gross motor skills!

Our sensory cafe has been designed open plan with your little ones' safety in mind, including our sensory room, which is included in your entrance fee.

FREE onsite car parking, too! Easily accessible NO stairs.

Limited numbers to offer a relaxing, inclusive environment for all who visit us.

We open two Saturdays per month, which can be booked via special events/Saturdays on the website.

Sibling discount.

Quite simply the BEST Sensory Experience in County Durham!

https://clartabout.co.uk/product/sensory-cafe/

We also have our own toy shop Clart About Play Toyshop onsite, too! A beautiful selection of ethical, wooden, educational, and sensory toys and resources.

25/07/2026

Some new additions and some restocks this week at Clart About Play Toyshop onsite at Clart About Sensory Cafe....

24/07/2026

Saturday Sensory tomorrow at Clart About Sensory Cafe....

Spaces on our 9.30am-11.00am session and our 11.30am-1.00pm session

https://www.clartabout.co.uk/product/sensory-cafe/

24/07/2026

Why do we believe play should never be rushed?

In a world where everything seems to move so quickly, we believe children deserve the time to simply... play.

At Clart About Sensory Café, we don't expect children to race from one activity to the next or follow a set schedule. Instead, we encourage them to explore at their own pace, follow their curiosity and enjoy the freedom to play in whatever way feels right for them.

Every child is different.

💚 Some children will spend the whole session fascinated by one activity.
💚 Others will explore every corner of the room.
💚 Some need time to watch before joining in.
💚 Others are ready to dive straight into play.

And every one of those ways is perfectly okay.

We know that play isn't "just playing." It's how children learn, build confidence, solve problems, develop friendships and make sense of the world around them.

That's why we've designed our sessions to give families plenty of uninterrupted time together. There's no pressure to move on, no expectation to do everything and no right or wrong way to enjoy the space.

We simply want children to feel safe, relaxed and free to be themselves.

Because some of the most meaningful moments happen when children are given the time they need—not the time they're told they have.

That's why, at Clart About Sensory Cafe, we believe play should never be rushed.

23/07/2026

Today, we're sharing something incredibly personal.

Many of you know Clart About Sensory Cafe as a place where families come together to play, make friends, and find support. What many don't know is just how difficult things have become behind the scenes.

Last year, our founder, Lynn, was diagnosed with breast cancer. While continuing treatment, she did everything she could to keep supporting the community she loves.
Now, she's facing another unimaginable challenge. Yesterday, Lynn was diagnosed with a completely separate primary thyroid cancer. This means more surgery, more treatment, and a much longer road to recovery.

As she fights two cancers, Lynn has no choice but to step back from the day-to-day running of the cafe. There will be times when we may have to reduce our opening hours or temporarily close because her health has to come first.

Clart About has never just been a sensory cafe. It is a safe place for parents experiencing perinatal mental illness, a community where friendships are made, isolation is reduced, and families know they are never alone. Over the years, we've supported thousands of local families, and we don't want that support to disappear.

We launched our fundraiser to help cover the essential running costs of the cafe while Lynn focuses on getting well.

Every donation, no matter the amount, will help pay for rent, utilities, insurance, staffing, and keeping our doors open for the families who rely on us.

If you're able to donate, we cannot thank you enough. If you can't, please consider sharing this post. Every share helps us reach someone who may be able to help.

Lynn's hope is simple: to finish her treatment, walk back through the doors of Clart About, and see the community she built still thriving.

Thank you for every donation, every share, every kind message, and every bit of support you've shown us over the years. It truly means the world.

❤️ Lynn & Mark

Help Save Clart About Sensory Cafe Whilst I Fight Two Cancers … Lynn Hammel needs your support for Help save Clart About Sensory Cafe whilst I fight cancer.

23/07/2026

NEW STOCK incoming.....

Clart About Play Toyshop onsite at Clart About Sensory Cafe Consett DH8 6SZ

23/07/2026

Clart About Sensory Cafe Consett DH8 6SZ suitable from birth upwards

21/07/2026

Did you know Clart About Sensory Cafe is a not-for-profit organisation?

When you visit Clart About, you're doing much more than booking a play session.

Every booking, every coffee, every cake and every purchase helps us continue to grow and improve the experience we provide for local families.

As a not-for-profit organisation, we don't have shareholders taking profits. Instead, any surplus we make is reinvested straight back into our organisation.

That means we can continue to:
🌈 Invest in new sensory equipment and resources.
🧸 Refresh and improve our play spaces.
☕ Enhance our café facilities.
💚 Support families through a variety of community projects and initiatives.
✨ Continue creating a welcoming, inclusive environment where every family feels they belong.

Your support also helps us provide opportunities such as our fully funded play sessions, ensuring that if cost is ever a barrier, families can still access the benefits of sensory play.

Everything we do is driven by one simple purpose:

To support families and create the very best experiences for children in our community.

So, every time you choose Clart About, you're helping us invest back into the place you love while supporting projects that make a real difference to local families.

From us, thank you for being part of our journey. We couldn't do it without you.