A revamped playground in honor of Princess Diana is set to reopen tomorrow after a £3 million makeover. The playground, located in Kensington Palace Gardens and dedicated to the late Princess of Wales, has been closed for refurbishment since last autumn. The highlight of the new playground is a full-scale 17-meter wooden ship, including a 12-meter galleon, designed with a Peter Pan theme.
The ship, constructed from mountain larch wood sourced from sustainable forests in the Bavarian Alps, offers children the opportunity to climb to two crow’s nests, slide down a large tunnel slide, and enjoy a play kitchen below deck. The wooden structure was built in Frasdorf, Germany, by Timberplay and Richter Spielgerate, the same designers behind the original Peter Pan-themed galleon when the playground first opened in 2000.
Additionally, the playground features a treehouse with a four-meter slide tunnel and wheelchair-accessible walkways. A section designed for children under three includes timber houses, play ships, and a large sandpit. A new waterplay area with a life-sized crocodile sculpture has been added, although it will not operate initially due to the current hosepipe ban in London.
Prior to the public reopening, children from the nearby St Mary Abbot School had the opportunity to test out the playground equipment. Park Manager Andy Williams expressed excitement about the playground’s reopening, emphasizing its inclusive design to cater to children of all abilities and interests.
While The Royal Parks is eager to welcome visitors to the revamped playground, it anticipates higher footfall in the initial months. With a capacity of 450 people, the playground may experience longer queues, especially on weekends. The Royal Parks suggests exploring the other 13 playgrounds across the park system and checking their website for alternative family events to manage expectations during peak times.
The Princess Diana Memorial Playground first opened in June 2000, built on the site of a former playground inaugurated in 1906 by JM Barrie, the author of Peter Pan. Princess Diana’s close friend Rosa Monckton and her daughter Domenica, along with former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, were present at the opening ceremony. The playground, known for its one million annual visitors, remains the most visited playground in the UK, reflecting Princess Diana’s enduring legacy of connecting with children.
