The memorial playground close to Princess Diana’s former Kensington Palace home has had a Peter Pan-themed makeover and will open to the public tomorrow (Wednesday)
A playground honouring the memory of Princess Diana reopens tomorrow following a £3million revamp.
The memorial playground dedicated to the late Princess of Wales in Kensington Palace Gardens has been closed since last autumn and has undergone a Peter Pan-themed makeover. Tomorrow (Wednesday) at 10am will see the new playground, which features a full-scale 17-metre wooden ship, complete with a 12-metre galleon, open to the public for the first time.
The ship, which was built in the foothills of the Bavarian Alps out of mountain larch wood from sustainably managed forests, allows children to climb up to one of two crow’s nests, whizz down a large tunnel slide and enjoy a play kitchen located below deck.
The wooden structure was constructed in the German village of Frasdorf by Timberplay and its partners Richter Spielgerate, the same designers who produced the original Peter Pan-themed galleon for the playground’s opening in 2000.
There is also a treehouse, which features a four-metre slide tunnel and walkways that are wheelchair accessible. There is also a redesigned area for children under three, featuring timber houses, play ships and a large sandpit.
The playground also has a new waterplay area with a life-sized crocodile sculpture, although the current hosepipe ban across London means it cannot yet operate with water.
Ahead of the revamped playground being open to the public, children from the nearby St Mary Abbot School, just a stone’s throw from Kensington Palace, tested out the new equipment.
Andy Williams, Park Manager for Kensington Gardens, said: “We know that children across London, the UK and the world have been eagerly awaiting the reopening of this playground, and we can’t wait to see their reactions when they visit. We know they will absolutely love it.
“This playground has been thoughtfully designed so that children of all abilities and interests can find something that appeals to them. Children can once again splash, swing, climb and hide in this almost two-acre playground set amongst sub-tropical planting.”
While The Royal Parks says it is excited to welcome children back to the playground, it warns it may be busier than usual for the first few months.
Mr Williams added: “This incredibly popular playground has a capacity of 450 people and with UK schools now on summer break, we are expecting more people to visit than usual. Therefore, there may be lengthy queues across the week, but especially at weekends.
“We want to manage expectations and help people plan ahead. There are 13 other playgrounds to visit across the Royal Parks, plus lots of family events, so if you get to this playground and don’t want to wait, please check out The Royal Parks website for what else might be going on.”
The Diana Memorial Playground first opened in June 2000, three years after her death on the site of a former playground opened in 1906 by Peter Pan author JM Barrie. The princess, a former kindergarten teacher, was known for her easy rapport with children.
No royals attended the official opening 26 years ago, and Diana’s close friend Rosa Monckton and her then five-year-old daughter Domenica, one of Diana’s godchildren, helped to open the site alongside former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who was Chancellor at the time. Her brother Charles Spencer also attended the opening with his four oldest children Lady Kitty Spencer, Lady Eliza Spencer, Lady Amelia Spencer and Louis Spencer, Viscount Althorp.
It has an average of one million visitors per year, making it the UK’s most visited playground, according to the Royal Parks.
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