Final touches are being applied to the central feature of a £3 million renovation of a playground dedicated to the memory of Princess Diana. The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground, located adjacent to her former residence at Kensington Palace, is presently closed for a significant overhaul and is scheduled to reopen this summer with a brand-new ‘full-scale’ wooden ship for children to enjoy.
The ship, crafted in the foothills of the Bavarian Alps, has been inspected by Royal Parks staff, the organization responsible for managing the playground, before its journey to London to become a part of Kensington Gardens. The upgrade of the playground, costing £3 million, focuses on replacing equipment that has reached the end of its lifespan.
The enhanced play area will showcase a 12-meter tall galleon, complete with a tunnel slide, two crows’ nests, and a ramped entrance to the main deck to ensure accessibility for disabled children. Additionally, the attraction will include a new treehouse, a redesigned water play section, and a dedicated area for children under the age of three. The new ship incorporates mountain larch wood sourced from sustainably managed forests in the Bavarian Alps, known for its slow growth that results in durable and naturally rot-resistant timber, eliminating the need for chemical treatment.
Manufactured in the German village of Frasdorf by Timberplay and Richter Spielgerate, the same designers behind the original Peter Pan-themed galleon unveiled when the playground first opened in 2000, this wooden structure has garnered praise for its durability and safety. Andy Williams, the park manager at Kensington Gardens, expressed that the new playground encourages children’s creativity and provides a secure environment for play, staying true to Princess Diana’s ethos.
Paul Collings, the managing director at Timberplay, noted that the new galleon and treehouse will set a high standard for public play areas, promising to bring joy to countless children for years to come. Peter Heuken, the head of planning and projects at Richter Spielgerate, emphasized the significance of playground equipment enduring the test of time and children’s active play, showcasing their commitment to preserving and enhancing the beloved space.
The Diana Memorial Playground, inaugurated in June 2000, commemorates Princess Diana’s legacy and stands on the site of a former playground established in 1906 by JM Barrie, the author of Peter Pan. Notably, the official opening of the playground over a quarter-century ago was graced by Diana’s friend Rosa Monckton, her godchild Domenica, and then-Chancellor Gordon Brown. With an annual average of one million visitors, the playground remains a popular destination and holds the distinction of being the most frequented playground in the UK under the management of the Royal Parks.
The new wooden ship set to anchor the revitalized Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground
Crafted in the Bavarian Alps, the wooden ship will find its new home in Kensington Gardens
The upgraded play area will boast a 12-meter tall galleon with various play features for children
The wooden structure, meticulously constructed in Frasdorf, Germany by Timberplay
Spectators gather to witness the arrival of the ship destined for the playground
The new ship incorporates mountain larch wood from sustainable sources in the Bavarian Alps
The designers responsible for the original Peter Pan-themed galleon in 2000 have created the new ship
An artistic rendering of the forthcoming playground at Kensington Gardens