Sick of the daily grind and feel like unleashing your inner child? Half term is nearly upon us and to save yourself from the cries of ‘I’m bored’, check out some of the UK’s best adventure playgrounds. Play is such an important part of a child’s development, encouraging motor skills and imaginative role play. It’s also great for grown ups to de-stress and enjoy the freedom of behaving like a big kid again.
Toffee Park, London – this park is fantastic and won the London Adventure Playground of the Year Award in 2011. It features open access with a range of opportunities for imaginative and creative play. There is a tree house, nature garden, aerial runway and a multi-sports arena so you’ll be spoiled for choice.
Harewood House, Yorkshire – this is one of Yorkshire’s best adventure playgrounds featuring climbing nets, zipwires and aerial walkways. The 3 acre site also has picnic areas and there is something for children of every age.
Bodelwyddan Castle, North Wales – this one is only open at weekends but if you want to combine play with a little bit of learning about history, then this is the one for you. Set in 260 acres, you’ll also find a maze here. There are walking routes, woodland trails and First World War trenches! RabbitWood play area has swings, climbing frames and slides. Sounds like a great day out for all the family. Why not create your very own bespoke adventure playground in your back garden? For a top quality Wood climbing Frame, visit http://www.niclimbingframes.com/climbing-frames.
Cave Hill, Belfast – this play area is located in the grounds of the Belfast Castle Estate and Cave Hill opens at weekends for kids from age 3 to 14. Older children will love the space net and aerial runway while younger siblings can enjoy cradle swings, slides, roundabouts and spring rockers.
Chatsworth, Derbyshire – opening in time for the February half term, you’ll find this playground in the Peak District. Complete with a climbing forest and trailer rides, this is sure to wear out your little terrors. There is a farmyard, petting area and daily milking demonstrations to combine a bit of education too.
Bowood House, Wiltshire – who doesn’t love a good pirate ship to explore? You’ll also find scramble nets, aerial walkways, flume tubes, steep slides including a so called ‘death slide’, ball pools, swings and sandpits. Turn it into a day out and visit Bowood House and Gardens too.
Heartlands, Cornwall – this place boasts the title of having the largest free adventure playground in the county. As well as the usual swings etc, there are crawling tunnels, a shipwreck to climb, funnel slides and a massive wooden climbing structure called The Giant’s Trap. The little ones will love the mini beach and diggers, where they can move the sand around to their heart’s content.