The Lakes Cafe

The Lakes Cafe Coffee & cake oasis on the edge of the stunning South Norwood Lakes. Baby friendly, ample space for prams, dog walkers welcome (with well-behaved dogs). Wifi. Mel

Lunches served. Play area for your kids. Weekly events. Free parking. What's not to love?! Growing up I had two dreams – to be in a rock band and to have my own cafe. In my misspent twenties I was in a girl-fronted punk band played on prime-time Radio 1! Then, after hanging up my bass guitar and having kids, I discovered how hard it is to find a place you can hang out with mates over a coffee whil

e your kids play. That drove me to turn the Lakes Cafe into the kind of place I would have loved, somewhere new parents can relax and anyone can feel at home. As a celiac it makes me angry that supermarket gluten free food is overpriced and pretty revolting, so the Cafe and my baking business Owl Kitchen makes sure gluten free doesn’t mean taste-free. So come and enjoy a little oasis of coffee & cake on the edge of the stunning South Norwood Lakes. Baby friendly, ample space for prams. Play area for your children. See you there!

13/09/2026

Tomorrow at 10am!

COME CHECK OUT THE NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK!A new brood of Egyptian Geese have arrived.See you soon and best wishes MelxOpe...
10/09/2026

COME CHECK OUT THE NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK!

A new brood of Egyptian Geese have arrived.

See you soon and best wishes

Mel
x

Open Monday, Thursday & Friday, 10am-4pm

The Lakes Cafe
Pavilion Hall, Waterside Centre
25 Avenue Road
SE25 4DX

Little Folks Nursery Rhymes is back tomorrow morning at 10!!
06/09/2026

Little Folks Nursery Rhymes is back tomorrow morning at 10!!

I am SO looking forward to this!

❤️little folk is BACK❤️

The new term starts NEXT WEEK and here’s how the weekly timetable looks:

MONDAYS 10am Mel Whitlock
TUESDAYS 10am Millie & Maisie Play Café Clapham
WEDNESDAYS 8:30am Zoom for wherever you are 🌍
WEDNESDAYS 10am & 10:45am (for this class only it’s just little pre-crawlers please) Stuffed Walrus Pub
FRIDAYS 08:45am Zoom for wherever you are 🌍
FRIDAYS 10:30am The Greyhound

You still have time to book (pre-booking discounts available for Superflex 6-blocks and for single classes) Happity | Find & List Baby & Toddler Classes for our joyful nursery rhymes sing-songs especially tailored for babies & toddlers ❤️

I am so passionate about how my sessions gently support all 7 areas of early learning in the EYFS framework, I’ve had fun picking the songs for each of them - learning through fun is so powerful! Just perfect for your curious little learners and a lovely way for mums and dads to connect too.

So,
1. GET BOOKING Happity | Find & List Baby & Toddler Classes 🎫 🎟️🎫🎟️🎫🎟️🎫🎟️
2. HELP ME OUT & TELL ALL YOUR MAMMA GANG!
3. SEE YOU NEXT WEEK LOVELIES ❤️

Fab illustration by the fab Neil Smith 🎨⚡️

Don’t forget to book your slot for Charlottes next visit to the cafe,next Thursday September 10th. Flying Colours Potter...
03/09/2026

Don’t forget to book your slot for Charlottes next visit to the cafe,next Thursday September 10th.

Flying Colours Pottery pop-up baby footprinting event, offering you the opportunity to print your baby's feet on precious pottery keepsakes!

Baby Footprints on pottery - The Lakes Cafe, South Norwood – The Lakes Cafe, 25 Avenue Rd,, Fri 11 Sep 2026 - We are delighted to be visiting The Lakes Cafe again, offering you the opportunity to print your baby's feet on precious pottery keepsakes. With over 20 years experience, specialising in.....

Our resident pups here for their weekly coffee and snack
27/08/2026

Our resident pups here for their weekly coffee and snack

COME PLAY IN THE PUDDLES AT SOUTH NORWOOD LAKE! And afterwards get dried off at The Lakes Cafe and enjoy our yummy homem...
27/08/2026

COME PLAY IN THE PUDDLES AT SOUTH NORWOOD LAKE!

And afterwards get dried off at The Lakes Cafe and enjoy our yummy homemade cakes (all gluten free), delicious food, fresh coffee and wide open space.

All within the oasis that is South Norwood Lake & Grounds.

See you soon and best wishes

Mel
x

Open Monday, Thursday & Friday, 10am-4pm

The Lakes Cafe
Pavilion Hall, Waterside Centre
25 Avenue Road
SE25 4DX

CHARLOTTE’S BACK WITH FLYING COLOURS POTTERY!Get booking She’ll be back Friday 11th September at The Lakes Cafe, creatin...
24/08/2026

CHARLOTTE’S BACK WITH FLYING COLOURS POTTERY!

Get booking

She’ll be back Friday 11th September at The Lakes Cafe, creating wonderful gifts with the wee ones feet and hands.

Best wishes

Mel

X

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/flyingcolourspottery/2367447?fbclid=PARlRTSATxUQlwZG9mAmZkaWQWUMt8jmPWwtXZLH0A20BTZdlM7upmD2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDzEyNDAyNDU3NDI4NzQxNAABp9SxHqueZ7v2LHX7dgbrB6CMl5_aOIcom4o99xoUjGyQqhAFxyW1YYwAJ3d0_aem_vblqr58E8Il5ukGgXgNa5A

The Lakes Cafe
Pavilion Hall, Waterside Centre
25 Avenue Road
SE25 4DX

Open Monday, Thursday and Friday, 10am-4pm

Baby Footprints on pottery - The Lakes Cafe, South Norwood – The Lakes Cafe, 25 Avenue Rd,, Fri 11 Sep 2026 - We are delighted to be visiting The Lakes Cafe again, offering you the opportunity to print your baby's feet on precious pottery keepsakes. With over 20 years experience, specialising in.....

22/08/2026

DON’T MISS THE REVEL PUCK CIRCUS THIS WEEKEND!

We had a blast last night at the brilliant and breathtaking circus that’s come to town at South Norwood Rec.

From trapeze and amazing acrobatics to the most incredible roller-skating, our teenagers loved it as much as we did.

Excellent family fun at a decent price, I highly recommend getting along today at 11am, 2.30pm or 5.30pm, or tomorrow at 11am or 2.30pm.

https://www.tixr.com/groups/revelpuckcircus

Best weekend wishes

Mel
x

The Lakes Cafe
Pavilion Hall, Waterside Centre
25 Avenue Road
SE25 4DX

Open Monday, Thursday & Friday, 10am-4pm

22/08/2026
19/08/2026

WAHAY!

GET DOWN TO THE LAKES CAFE!

We’re back in business from Thursday 20th August.

Enjoy our yummy homemade cakes (all gluten free), delicious food, fresh coffee and lollies.

All within the oasis that is South Norwood Lake & Grounds.

Open Monday, Thursday & Friday, 10am-4pm.

See you soon and best wishes

Mel
x

Open Monday, Thursday & Friday, 10am-4pm

The Lakes Cafe
Pavilion Hall, Waterside Centre
25 Avenue Road
SE25 4DX

WAHAY!GET DOWN TO THE LAKES CAFE!We’re back in business from Thursday 20th August.Enjoy our yummy homemade cakes (all gl...
19/08/2026

WAHAY!

GET DOWN TO THE LAKES CAFE!

We’re back in business from Thursday 20th August.

Enjoy our yummy homemade cakes (all gluten free), delicious food, fresh coffee and lollies.

All within the oasis that is South Norwood Lake & Grounds.

Open Monday, Thursday & Friday, 10am-4pm.

See you soon and best wishes

Mel
x

Open Monday, Thursday & Friday, 10am-4pm

The Lakes Cafe
Pavilion Hall, Waterside Centre
25 Avenue Road
SE25 4DX

THE LAKES CAFE WILL RETURN ON THURSDAY 19th AUGUST See you then!MelxOpen Monday, Thursday & Friday, 10am-4pm The Lakes C...
09/08/2026

THE LAKES CAFE WILL RETURN ON THURSDAY 19th AUGUST

See you then!

Mel
x

Open Monday, Thursday & Friday, 10am-4pm

The Lakes Cafe
Pavilion Hall, Waterside Centre
25 Avenue Road
SE25 4DX

THE LAKES CAFE IS BACK… FOR 3 DAYS ONLY!Come on down on Thursday 30th, Friday 31st and Monday 3rd August. The hall is co...
30/07/2026

THE LAKES CAFE IS BACK

… FOR 3 DAYS ONLY!

Come on down on Thursday 30th, Friday 31st and Monday 3rd August.

The hall is cool with plenty of space.

And those fresh iced coffees and ice lollies and yummy homemade cakes and food await.

We’ll then be closed until Thursday 20th August.

Take care and best wishes

Mel
x

Open Monday, Thursday & Friday, 10am-4pm

The Lakes Cafe
Pavilion Hall, Waterside Centre
25 Avenue Road
SE25 4DX

Address

25 Avenue Road
London
SE254DX

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