Tunnel playcentre

Tunnel playcentre is situated within a fully enclosed site, there are cycle ways and footpaths close to the centre and an underpass links us with local housing and a footbridge linking Orton to Hampton.  There are car-parking facilities to the side of the building which we share with the allotment owners.

Opening times

Term time:

  • Tuesday Closed for Targeted Activities Programme
  • Wednesday 3.15pm to 5.00pm
  • Thursday 3.15pm to 5.00pm
  • Friday 3.15pm to 5.00pm
  • Saturday 10.00am to 1.00pm

School holidays:

  • Monday to Friday 10.00am to 1.00pm and 2.00pm to 5.00pm Please check times with the playecntre as the centre may be closed due to trips

Facilities available

The building was custom built as a playcentre in the early 1970's and is well known for its similarity to an aircraft hanger; recently painted bright red the Tunnel is hard to miss from the road. The centre itself consists of one large main room where the various activities take place, including:

  • Arts & crafts
  • Sports
  • Games
  • Pool table
  • Playstation
  • Internet cafe
  • TV & DVD
  • Air hockey
  • Table tennis
  • Pool tables

The floor is brightly coloured with pathways through and different pictures to identify.The acoustics, because of the curved roof, are amazing and the sound created from an activity involving music or drama is carried all around the building. Our large outside site has:

  • A football area
  • Full size basketball court
  • Intelligent Play equipment (i.play)
  • A large climbing structure
  • A buddy swing
  • Modem roundabout
  • Mobilus which is a swing, merry-go-round and see-saw all in one
  • Lighting

The i.play system has been designed to encourage children away from the sofa and into the playground and aims to break new ground in playground equipment through the invention of a facility that will promote high energy exercise for the young.  i.play is a great new way to exercise without even realising that's what you're doing. You can select single player or multi player games, the activity switches have bright LED lights that flash and switches that produce sound so you know which one to go to. You will be given either a personal or a team score, if you play i.match multi player game. See if you can improve your score each time; you can even post your score to the i.play league table to see how you compare to your friends.

The children who attend are encouraged to make decisions regarding the activities and events planned for the centre; the children meet on a regular basis and discuss improvements to the centre, how to raise funds in order to make the improvements and how to spend the centre's budget.

We enjoy links with other groups in Orton who regularly use our building to run clubs and groups for residents.  We are always looking for people with new skills and ideas to bring to the playcentres so if you have some spare time and would like to help us out please get in touch with your playcentre for more information; all help is much appreciated and it is a very rewarding way to spend your spare time.

Contact details

  • Tunnel Playcentre, Malborne Way, Orton Malborne, Peterborough PE2 5QA
  • Telephone 01733 231295

Useful lnks


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  Information parents need to know
  (20KB, 1 pages)

  How do I register my child?
  (18KB, 1 pages)

  Playcentre registration form
  (27KB, 2 pages)