Z – Soft Play, Café & Postnatal Fitness Classes in Stockton Heath, Warrington
Your village for family life
More informationWelcome to Z
The Premier Play Cafe & Family Fitness Hub in South Warrington
Experience the perfect balance for parents. Downstairs, unwind with locally sourced, home-cooked food while your little ones explore our soft play and role-play zones. Upstairs, prioritize your health with expert-led postnatal fitness, Pilates and Barre classes designed for every stage of your journey. All under one roof in the heart of Stockton Heath.
Z is the place in Warrington where parents can exercise without worrying about childcare – babies join you in Baby & Me, and toddlers play safely in the studio during Mini & Me Barre. We welcome families from Stockton Heath, Appleton, Grappenhall, Lymm, Walton, Thelwall and across Warrington.
Play
Soft play designed specifically for 0-5 year olds! Large enough to explore, climb and make friends whilst staying in sight!
After mastering the slides, rollers and ball pit, kids can head over to the role play village and do their shopping whilst dressed as a princess, fire fighter or police officer!
Dine
We’ve got you covered for breakfast, lunch and dinner 7 days a week!
Our home cooked menu is made using locally sourced ingredients and there are extensive options for adults and children of all ages including weaning babies.
We are proud to serve Two Brothers Coffee, roasted in Warrington! We also offer a range of teas, Matcha, Ube as well as cold drinks including our in house created shakes and coolers.
Fitness
Fitness Classes in Stockton Heath for New Mums and Their Little Ones
At Z, we believe fitness should fit around family life, not the other way around. Our studio is dedicated to parents with babies and toddlers. You train with your little one right beside you, so you never need to arrange childcare.
Whether you're taking your first steps back into exercise after pregnancy or you're ready to graduate to a class with your toddler, our timetable is built to support you through those early years.
Why choose Z?
Ask our members what keeps them coming back and the same things come up again and again:
- A welcoming atmosphere
- No judgement, whatever your level
- Coaches who know everyone's name
- Classes suitable for complete beginners
- A supportive community of other parents
- A premium studio
- Flexible memberships
- No childcare needed: your little one comes with you
Who are our classes for?
- New mums with pre-walking babies
- Parents with toddlers
- Complete beginners
- Anyone returning to exercise after pregnancy
Baby & Me – Postnatal Fitness in Warrington
Our postnatal fitness classes are designed for new mums who want to rebuild strength while keeping their pre-walking baby by their side.
- Postnatal Fitness (Monday and Wednesday)
- Postnatal Pilates (Thursday)
Every class is designed to help you recover safely, regain confidence and enjoy exercising with your baby. Read our full guide to postnatal fitness in Warrington, including returning to exercise after a C-section and pelvic floor recovery.
"I've honestly had the best time in these classes during maternity leave. I could barely keep up with the first class and had DOMS for days, but now I leave feeling strong after every class. They have saved my sanity, entertained my baby and helped me rebuild strength all at the same time, plus we've made Mum friends."
— Louise
Mini & Me Barre – Thursday
The next step once your little one is on the move. Enjoy a full Barre workout while your toddler plays safely in our dedicated play area on the other side of the studio. It's a great way to prioritise your health without giving up precious time together.
Expert Coaching
Every class is led by fully qualified coaches experienced in pregnancy and postnatal recovery. They adapt each session to your body, your stage and your confidence level, so you'll always feel supported.
Party
Make birthdays magical with our perfect party packages.
At Z, we LOVE to party. Celebrate your special milestones with us with a choice of exclusive and non-exclusive hire options in our play space.
- Exclusive Play Package£300 · whole venue · up to 30 children
- Playdate Package£18 per child · reserved café booths · up to 12 children
"We recently celebrated our daughter's birthday here, and I honestly couldn't recommend this place enough!
From the very beginning, the team was incredibly helpful in organising everything, and the whole day ran so smoothly. Every detail was taken care of, which meant we could just relax and enjoy the party."
— Laura
If you need more info, contact events@zzz.site.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the opening times?
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8:00am - 5:00pm - Monday
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8:00am - 5:00pm - Tuesday
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8:00am - 7:00pm - Wednesday
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8:00am - 5:00pm - Thursday
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8:00am - 5:00pm - Friday
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8:00am - 5:00pm - Saturday
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8:00am - 5:00pm - Sunday
What activities and events do you offer?
We offer a diverse range of fun classes that can support your child’s development socially, emotionally & physically. Please refer to our activities and events timetable for more details.
Where can I find Z?
We are located at No 1 The Forge, Stockton Heath, WA4 6HW. We are right at the front of The Forge shopping centre facing onto London Road, next to Clarks Shoes, a 2 minute walk from Marks & Spencers Food Hall.
Where can I park?
We have a carpark just a 2 minute walk from our door! Search on your maps for The Forge Car Park, WA4 6HW. It is free on Sundays, but operates on an hourly basis Monday-Saturday. There is a machine to pay cash or card in the car park, but the easiest thing to do is download RingGo car parking app before visiting us, then you can pay via the app on arrival all from the comfort of your car.
Can I do anything else whilst in Stockton Heath?
Absolutely, we are so proud of our beautiful village. Stockton Heath is awash with fantastic independent shops and restaurants including Juniper, Lemon Tree & All That Jazz (our personal favourite, selling anything from home furnishings to cleaning products!). Equally, we have some great nature walks on our door step too, so why not make a day of it with a visit to Z, followed by a spot of shopping and a walk to Walton Hall and Gardens!
Is Z buggy friendly?
Yes of course! We have a buggy park near our main reception.
Do you charge for adults?
Nope, as many adults as you like welcome free of charge.
Can kids aged 6+ come to Z?
We love to see older children visit with their families. They are not permitted to go onto the soft play equipment, but can absolutely join for free as ‘adults’ to enjoy food / drink with their family.
Do you have baby changers / disabled toilets?
Yes, of course - we even stock some essentials such as wipes free of charge - just in case you're caught short!
Is there a lift?
Unfortunately not. The main soft play & cafe is on the ground floor, but our studio for fitness classes & events is upstairs. However, we always have a member of staff on hand to assist in getting you up the stairs, or you can leave your buggy in the buggy park downstairs to make things easier for you if you are attending a class / event upstairs.
Is there a time limit on my play session?
Your table is guaranteed for 2 hours; you're welcome to stay longer when there's space, at no extra charge.
Do I have to pay upfront / is there a cancellation charge for a play session?
Nope. Simply reserve your table online & pay upon arrival. Again, life is stressful enough!
Can I stay for a soft play session or eat in the cafe before / after a class?
Absolutely, your ticket to any fitness or activity class / event gives you complimentary access to our soft play and cafe before or after your class (subject to availability on the day, albeit we always try to reserve space for our class attendees as best we can).
Fitness classes
Can I bring my baby to a class?
Yes. Our Baby & Me postnatal classes – Postnatal Fitness (Monday and Wednesday) and Postnatal Pilates (Thursday) – are designed for new mums who want to rebuild strength while keeping their pre-walking baby by their side.
Do I need childcare to come to a class?
No. In Baby & Me your baby comes with you, and in Mini & Me Barre your toddler plays safely in our dedicated play area on the other side of the studio.
When can I start postnatal exercise?
The usual NHS advice is to wait until after your postnatal check (around six to eight weeks) and to speak to your GP or midwife before returning to structured exercise. Our Baby & Me classes are designed to help you recover safely, so they're the natural first step back. Read more in our postnatal fitness guide.
Can I attend after a C-section?
Yes, once you've had your postnatal check and your GP has given you the go-ahead. Let your coach know at your first class and every exercise will be adapted for you.
I'm completely new to fitness – can I still join?
Absolutely. Every session can be adapted to suit your experience, goals and fitness level, making our classes ideal whether you're just getting started or looking to challenge yourself.
What should I bring to a class?
Comfortable clothes you can move in, trainers, and a water bottle. For Baby & Me, bring whatever your baby usually needs – there's a buggy park by reception and baby changing facilities downstairs.
Are memberships flexible?
Yes. Classes start from £8 per session and can be booked using individual class credits, credit bundles or unlimited monthly memberships, so you can choose the option that works best for your lifestyle. See our memberships.
About Us
Founded by local parents, for local families
Z was founded by local parents, Olivia and Dan, who felt that Stockton Heath needed a space designed specifically for families to play, dine, party and enjoy fitness classes together.
“We want to create a lifelong love of movement within a welcoming community, where families can stay active, play together, and socialise whilst enjoying locally sourced, home cooked meals“
Why Stockton Heath needed Z
Olivia and Dan felt Stockton Heath needed one place where families could do it all: a soft play designed specifically for 0–5 year olds that's large enough to explore but keeps little ones in sight, a café serving home-cooked food made with locally sourced ingredients, and a studio upstairs where parents can exercise without needing childcare. All in the heart of the village at The Forge, facing onto London Road and a two-minute walk from the car park.
Why family fitness matters
We believe fitness should fit around family life, not the other way around. Too many parents put their own health on hold for years because there's never a gap in the day, never a babysitter, never the energy left over.
Our timetable is built for every stage of that journey: Baby & Me for new mums with pre-walking babies, and Mini & Me Barre for parents with toddlers. Whatever stage you're at, there's a class where you belong – and no childcare to arrange.
Why movement after pregnancy matters
The months after having a baby are some of the hardest on a body, and often some of the least supported. Rebuilding your core and pelvic floor, regaining the strength that lifting and carrying a growing baby demands, and simply having an hour that's about you – these things matter enormously for how you feel, physically and mentally.
Our postnatal classes – Postnatal Fitness and Postnatal Pilates – were created to give new mums a safe, supportive route back to exercise, led by coaches experienced in adapting sessions for pregnancy and postnatal recovery, in a room full of other mums who understand.
Why children need to see active parents
Children copy what they see. A child who grows up watching their parents move, sweat, laugh and try hard learns that exercise is a normal, enjoyable part of life rather than a chore. That's why so much of what we do at Z is designed to be done together – from babies by your side in Baby & Me to toddlers playing in the studio while a parent does Barre. A lifelong love of movement starts young.
Everything under one roof
Play downstairs, dine downstairs, train upstairs. Every class ticket includes complimentary access to the soft play and café before or after your session, so a workout can turn into a whole morning. Birthday parties, a menu with options for weaning babies, Two Brothers Coffee roasted in Warrington, a buggy park by reception – all under one roof in the heart of Stockton Heath.
We welcome families from Stockton Heath, Appleton, Grappenhall, Lymm, Walton, Thelwall and across Warrington, and we're proud that our members keep telling us the same things: that it's welcoming, that nobody is judged, and that the coaches know everyone's name.
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