When you think of Camden you probably think of tourist-swamped streets, aromas floating from food stalls and a seemingly infinite selection of jewellery glinting in the sun…you don’t really think of intergalactic gateways to a neon-drenched playground. But that is exactly what you can find at the indoor theme park Babylon Park.
Below the well-trodden tarmac are three-storeys of arcade games, fairground attractions and yes, an indoor rollercoaster. Now, I didn’t have kids of my own to take, so I figured it was time to reconnect with my inner child and see if we ever really outgrow the joys of a theme park. Here’s my Babylon Park review…
Where is it?
You’ll find Babylon Park just under a ten-minute walk from Camden Town station – maybe allow an extra minute for navigating the obstacle course of daydreaming window shoppers and outstretched arms photographing quintessential Camden sights. The entrance lies on Castlehaven Road, where you can duck off the busy high street, wander under the lava-lamp-reminiscent bubble writing and head down the escalators.
First Thoughts
It would be near impossible to try and describe in one word what awaited me at the bottom. Mainly, because there was just so much to look at: giant UFOs, waving aliens, claw machines, a labyrinthine soft play area – and yes, slap bang in the middle, a rollercoaster.
Though one thing in particular which immediately dragged me down memory lane was the sized-up Hungry Hungry Hippos game. Cue flashbacks of board-rattling face offs against my brother that sent balls flying into distant corners, never to be seen again. I can only imagine the chaos a human-sized one could encite. Alas, the one in front of me seemed built for toddlers, so we moved on.
Babylon Park previously operated purely on a pay as you go kind of system, where you can purchase coins online before your visit or get a card and top it up when you arrive. This is still an option, or you can go for the unlimited ticket where you can get your fill of as many games and rides as you’d like, in your choice of either a one or two hour time limit. We opted for unlimited access.
The Rides
Now, we’re all wondering the same thing at this point, what is the rollercoaster like? Well, we wasted no time in getting to the nitty gritty of our visit and after a bit of limb-tucking were soon buckled in with knees bent next to our ears. Ok not quite, but let’s just say The Rock would likely have to sit this one out. Then, we were lurching into motion and starting the initial climb.
I have to confess, I’m no rollercoaster aficionado. The last theme park I went to was well over a decade ago, but I do enjoy a good stomach-rolling drop and breath-stealing spin. Obviously, this is a family-friendly rollercoaster, and it’s underground, so those aspects had to be dialled back a bit, but there was enough speed and sharp turns to get your hair whipping around your face and even spark a fun-sized adrenaline kick. It’s certainly enough to get even the surliest visitor to crack a smile, whatever the age. But yes, it’s quite clear that I was not exactly their target audience and I feel like it would be a different, slightly more thrilling story for kids enjoying their first rollercoaster ride – enough to inspire a few giddy screams and demand a second go for sure.
Of course, if the rollercoaster doesn’t quite do the trick there are plenty of other rides to try out. For example, I was never a particular fan of a cloud-brushing, heart-in-your-mouth kind of drop tower, but the one at Babylon Park felt almost like being on a bobbing boat taking on a few big waves and was a great spot to take in the surprisingly cavernous sprawl of the space-themed site.
Elsewhere, getting behind the wheel in the bumper cars was a humbling (a driving license will be obsolete here) but funny experience as we spun chaotically into one another as if stuck in a pinball machine. Plus, speaking of spinning, if you’re a fan of the teacup ride there is an intergalactic variation on the classic that will turn the vibrant venue into psychedelic blur of colour.
The Games
Next up: the seemingly infinite selection of arcade games. I think this is where big kids (aka adults) will be much more in their element. There was pretty much something for every mood. Need an adventure? Slip on a VR headset to encounter gargantuan gorillas and giant spiders (so so many spiders) on Skull Island. Want to practice your aim? Shoot some hoops or try out axe-throwing – don’t worry they are foam axes, this is a family-friendly park after all. Feeling competitive? There are plenty of air hockey tables and dance machines to face off against your nemesis. Made your nemesis cry after ruthlessly winning over and over again? Try and cheer them up with something nice from the claw machine.
I can’t lie, as someone who is chronically uncompetitive I was pretty dismal at most of these games but I still had a good time. Which I guess is the whole point. You can easily while away the time hopping from machine to machine purely on a whim, or go in with a battle plan and try and collect as many tickets as possible to treat yourself at the winner station. The flexibility and freedom of it all means you can make the experience exactly what you want it to be.
It’s not every day you descend below the streets of London and discover a new planet. Not only did I learn that an indoor roller coaster was indeed possible, but that there was much more to be found around this surprising subterranean world and with its abundance of nostalgic games, experiences and attractions, it is not just for the kids. But, considering some of the slightly smaller seats on the rides, I would say it probably helps if you are one.
Ultimately, all ages can enjoy an intergalactic escape from reality at Babylon Park, and, as London is no stranger to a wet, cold and gloomy day, an indoor escape is needed more often than not.
