I adore this children's literature-themed place very much. The first floor is the bookshop and a big cafe. The second to fourth floors are galleries for presenting different authors’ artworks. It was very nice to see how many cute hand drawings and decor they demonstrated. I like how they designed some places for kids to hide and play. Also, they have giant toys displayed on two floors which are based on the characters from children’s books. It is such an amazing combo of a bookshop and galleries to go to, especially for kids with their families.
My family and I really loved our first visit to Seven Stories. I had initially read some of the more negative reviews before visiting which made me a little unsure of what to expect, but I needn't have worried. It was a fantastic space for our 3 year old and 16 month old to enjoy. There were some great interactive activities for them on one of the floors - such as dressing up boxes, a story cave and shadow puppets - and although the other floors may not have been quite as engaging, they loved the sheer space of the place to run around in as well as features like the bean bags.
We didn't eat in the café but it looked like a really nice space to have lunch in and the bookshop had some lovely looking books.
It felt like great value considering it was free and we're excited to go back time and time again to see what future exhibitions have to offer.
We had my daughters 3rd birthday party here and it was great. The room was perfect size and decorated to her theme. The storyteller was brilliant and all the kids loved it.
Came here on the shaun the sheep trail. I was embarrassed to say that I didn't know that this place existed. I'm really impressed by it. Definitely will be coming back
We visited today from Lancashire with our 18m old and 5yr old. We had a great time! Parking on street nearby is 60p for an hour which we thought was a bargain compared to Manchester or Liverpool. 7stories has 7 floors, 2 are for corporate/parties etc so there's 5 floors to visit. Plenty to see and do. One floor was a play area for children that was 'A tiger comes to tea themed'. There was a horrible histories theme on one level and on another exhibition about different types of stories with shadow puppet play & dress up stations. We stopped in the cafe/shop before we left and had hot drinks. My 5yr old had the butterbeer milkshake which he loved. They had oat milk for dairy free drinks. The babychino was massive! The book shop and cafe are beautifully merchandised. We'd happily visit again, my son asked to come back and didn't want to leave.
This is a wonderful place. With exhibits on Judith Kerr, Martin Brown and others, it is a fantastic place to understand story-making. Though I didn't go with a child, as a teacher, I could see how welcoming and accessible it is for families and children to visit, with plenty to do and hold theis interest. Fantastic book shop and cafe also.
Lovely location, interesting galleries, reading room and lots of attractions for children.
Amazing centre for children's literature, stories and informative exhibitions. Cafe, toilets, baby change and bookshop on site. Cafe and bookshop free admission. Very well presented and ideal due families and younger children. Full of attractive, well designed themed exhibitions on children's literature which regularly change. Would recommend, ideal for 2 - 11 year olds.
A lovely place for kids, the staff are friendly and theres a lot to see and do. They also have a cafe and book shop. We had fun making canopic jars as part of the putrid pasta workshop.
I stumbled across this place looking for something to do with my 1 and 2 year olds whilst visiting my 89 year old mum in South Shields. Tough mix, right? As an aspiring writer I've studied and warmed to the idea that there are 7 fundamental types of story, so I couldn't believe my luck at seeing it brought to life so beautifully. Between this, the Word in South Shields and some of my favourite kids stories coming from local authors like Ross Welford and David Almond, you have to feel there's some literary magic in the area.
Turned out we were visiting on fathers day and my wife booked us a father's day craft and story time in the cafe, and it really was lovely. There wasn't an amazing turnout but Oscar was awesome and gave my son in particular (who loves a performance!) such a great time.
Even if you don't have time to look at everything properly, the book shop and cafe are worth the visit. I could have spent many hours and many pounds there if the kids hadn't been getting tired.
Worth noting the Ouseburn area where this is based is well worth a look more broadly. The urban farm, alongside Seven Stories, makes for a great kids day out and the old world industrial heritage and grafitti gives it a vibe I've only otherwise seen in Shoreditch.
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