NCT Baby Friendly Survey - Results 2011

Certificate handed over to Merryhatton Garden Centre

Last year, we asked East Lothian parents to get in touch and nominate their favourite baby-friendly eateries, attractions and public places in East Lothian. The aim was to highlight those places that provide the best facilities and the most supportive environment for parents and their young children and encourage other local businesses to follow their lead.

We're delighted to announce that Merryhatton Garden Centre at East Fortune led the way with the most nominations for its Sunflower Cafe. Local mums praised the Centre's friendly staff and fantastic home baking and voiced their appreciation of its spacious buggy-friendly layout, great toy corner and general cleanliness. Merryhatton were delighted with the result.

Relaxing in the Sunflower Cafe, Merryhatton Garden Centre

For info on these great baby-friendly venues and many others around the county and lots of useful comments from local parents ‐ have a look below. And let us know what you think! Comments, nominations and photos of you and your family at your favourite local haunts can be sent to us at info@ncteastlothian.org.uk.

Results

Listed below are the top 5 venues that you voted for.

  1. Sunflower Cafe, Merryhatton Garden Centre
    Address: East Fortune, North Berwick, EH39 5JS
    Tel: 01620 880278
    Website: www.merryhatton.co.uk

    Facilities:
    • Spacious baby changing
    • Microwave for heating food
    • Highchairs
    • Bottle heating
    • Free help-yourself water jugs
    • Large childrens play corner and toys

    Comments:
    • "Friendly, good food" Jane Crawford
    • "Fantastic homebaking! Plenty of space for buggies" Zoe Leitch
    • "Friendly staff, lots of room, really clean" Laura Blair

  2. The Quay
    Address: New Street, Fisherrow Harbour, Musselburgh, EH21 6DH
    Tel: 0131 665 1066
    Email: info@thequaycomplex.com
    Website: www.thequaycomplex.com

    Facilities:
    • Baby changing within disabled toilet
    • Spacious for buggies
    • Highchairs

    Comments:
    • "Friendly, staff very helpful" Alison Maxwell
    • Friendly helpful staff, excellent reasonably priced food, baby and child friendly, spacious" Lorna Scott

  3. Peter Potter Gallery
    Address: 10 The Sands, Haddington, EH41 3EY
    Tel: 01620 822080
    Email: peter_potter@btconnect.com
    Website: www.peterpottergallery.org

    Facilities:
    • Baby changing
    • Spacious for buggies
    • Spacious cafe

    Comments:
    • "Relaxed atmosphere" Claire Baillie
    • "Nice cafe and menu" Vicki Murray

  4. Aubigny Sports Centre Cafe
    Address: Aubigny Sports Centre, Mill Wynd, Haddington, EH41 4DB
    Tel: 01620 826800
    Email: aubignysports@enjoyleisure.com
    Website: www.enjoyleisure.com/Centre.aspx?comp_id=2

    Facilities:
    • Baby changing
    • Family changing rooms
    • Baby pool
    • Cafe

    Comments:
    • "Relaxed and unpretentious cafe" Clare Dunbar

  5. Gosford Bothy Farm Shop & Cafe
    Address: Gosford Estate, near Aberlady, EH32 0BX
    Tel: 01875 871234/01875 870201
    Email: bob@gosfordfarmshop.co.uk
    Website: www.gosfordfarmshop.co.uk

    Facilities:
    • Baby changing
    • High chairs
    • Ella's Kitchen food for sale

    Comments:
    • "Lovely area and great for walks, good food and cakes, friendly staff" Cara Thompson

Listed below are venues ranked 6 to 10.

  1. Peregrine Cafe, Dunbar Leisure Pool
    Address: Castlepark, Dunbar, EH42 1EU
    Tel: 01368 865456
    Email: dunbarleisure@enjoyleisure.com
    Website: www.enjoyleisure.com/Centre.aspx?comp_id=4

    Facilities:
    • Good baby changing
    • Faily changing rooms
    • Unpretentious cafe

    Comments:
    • "Doesn't matter if your child has a tantrum in the cafe or runs about, which makes it relaxed for parents" Clare Dunbar

  2. Smeaton Nursery Gardens and Tearoom
    Address: Smeaton Estate, Preston Road, East Linton, EH40 3DS
    Tel: 01620 860 501 (Nursery)/ 01620 861366 (Tearoom)
    Email: mail@smeatonnurserygardens.co.uk
    Website: www.smeatonnurserygardens.co.uk/index.html

    Facilities:
    • Baby changing
    • Ramp access

    Comments:
    • "Good changing facilities, great toy cupboard" Clare Dunbar

  3. Asda (Dunbar)
    Address: Spott Road, Dunbar, EH42 1LE
    Tel: 01368 861100
    Website: www.asda.com

    Facilities:
    • Baby changing with free nappies and wipes
    • Feeding chairs

    Comments:
    • "Staff so friendly, facilities immaculate and changing supplies always fully-stacked" Kirstie Campbell

  4. East Links Family Park
    Address: Dunbar, EH42 1XF
    Tel: 01368 863607
    Email: grant@eastlinks.co.uk
    Website: www.eastlinks.co.uk

    Facilities:
    • Baby changing
    • High chairs
    • Soft play
    • Lots of indoor and outdoor activities

    Comments:
    • "Knowing your baby is in a safe place means you can relax" Rachel Scotland

  5. Tesco Cafe (Haddington)
    Address: Newton Port, Haddington, EH41 3LZ
    Tel: 0845 6779316
    Website: www.tesco.com

    Facilities:
    • Baby changing
    • High chairs

    Comments:
    • "The Manager of the Cafe is fantastically supportive of breastfeeding ‐ she'll bring you a coffee and tell you to sit down in peace so you don't have to queue with your baby. Fantastic!" Jo Lawrence (Mitchell)

Listed below are venues ranked 11 to 15.

  1. Tesco Homeplus Cafe (Fort Kinnaird)
    Address: Fort Kinnaird, Newcraighall Road, Edinburgh, EH15 3HS
    Tel: 08456 779233
    Website: www.tesco.com

    Facilities:
    • Baby changing with free water
    • Bottle warmer
    • Convenient parking

    Comments:
    • "Nice coffee and atmosphere" Jane Baptie

  2. Scottish Seabird Centre
    Address: The Harbour, North Berwick, EH39 4SS
    Tel: 01620 890202
    Email: info@seabird.org
    Website: www.seabird.org

    Facilities:
    • Baby changing
    • Cafe
    • Beach nearby

    Comments:
    • "I also have a three-year-old and she has great fun at the Seabird Centre" Nikki Crawford

  3. The Garden Path Cafe, Lauderdale Park
    Address: Lauderdale Park, Bayswell Road, Dunbar, EH42 1AB
    Tel: 01368 865746
    Email: paul@gardenpathcafe.co.uk
    Website: www.gardenpathcafe.co.uk

    Facilities:
    • Baby changing in toilet,
    • High chairs
    • Toy box

    Comments:
    • "Swing park for older kids, big decked area to sit out on and no traffic!" Zoe Leitch

  4. Cafe, Belhaven Fruit Farm
    Address: Thistly Cross, Dunbar, EH42 1RG
    Tel: 01368 860573
    Email: fruit@belton.sol.co.uk
    Website: www.belhavenfruitfarm.co.uk

    Facilities:
    • Baby changing
    • Playpen
    • Toys
    • High chairs

  5. Aviator Cafe, National Museum of Flight
    Address: East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian, EH39 5LF
    Tel: 0300 123 6789
    Website: www.nms.ac.uk

    Facilities:
    • All buildings are easily accessible with a buggy
    • Transport between hangars
    • Interactive exhibitions
    • Cafe
    • Shop
    • Several baby changing facilities

    Comments:
    • "For a family of five there is lots to entertain them and a good deal if you take out Membership. Under 12s are free!" Jane Craig

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