Inside the biggest kids’ adventure playgrounds with elves and trails – and one is just an hour from London
THERE’S less than a month before schools are out for holiday, which means parents will have weeks to work on entertaining their little ones at home.
Peppa Pig, play dates and iPads can only go so far, which is why we’ve collated a list of seven of the biggest children’s playgrounds – and one of them is just an hour away from London.
From roaming a gorgeous garden full of pixies, elves and goblins to playing the role of a pirate on a shipwrecked ship, there’s so much to do.
Let’s get into it…
Lilidorei, The Alnwick Garden, Northumberland
It might be summer, but the magical village of Lilidorei worships Christmas all year round.
Children aged 11 and under will be met with elves, pixies, fairies and goblins in the biggest play structure in the world.
With a total of nine clans, every child who steps into the forest clearing ground of Alnwick Castle will be able to create their own narratives with fun activities and games along the way.
Tickets: It’s free to go in with children under the age of 2. Going with children between the ages of 3-16 can range between £15 and £24.
Where: The Alnwick Garden, Gardeners Cottage, Greenwell Rd, Alnwick NE66 1FJ
Belvoir Castle, Grantham, Leicestershire
Nestled in the Leicestershire countryside there is a stunning castle with an adventure playground anyone from young children to adults can enjoy.
Covering four acres, it features a giant timber castle, a ship and towers for kids of all ages to explore.
Tunnels lead to a secret climbing wall, too, and going up a net will lead those daring enough to a zip wire.
Tickets: Children under the age of 4 can go in for free, while kids aged 4-16 can get tickets for just £4. And if you’re an adult looking for some adventure, you can pay an easy £3 for the experience. Families of two adults and three children can go in for £12.
Where: Woolsthorpe Rd, Grantham NG32 1PA
Tudor Towers, Hever Castle and Gardens, Kent
Kids who are not easily squeamish will love hearing all the gory details of the historical site’s 700-year history that was once Anne Boleyn’s home.
And for those a little less inclined to hear stories of beheadings, there’s the Acorn playground, which includes a 2 metre high living willow structure, giant sandpit, and a grassy mound with three tunnels alongside a climbing frame.
Plus, there’s the Adventure playground, which is made of a nine metre tall wooden play castle complete with its own moat, drawbridge and three turrets.
Kids can run riot and create their own games within the play area and if all goes south, they can always use the two fireman’s poles to escape!
Tickets: Kids up to the age of 4 can go in for free, while kids aged 5 to 17 will need tickets that sell for £11.80. Parents, meanwhile, can get their tickets for £20.80.
Where: Hever, Edenbridge TN8 7NG
Margam Country Park, Port Talbot
Children can enjoy a fun-filled day exploring the grounds of a miniature castle in the fairy tale village, which has everything from a candy-themed tiny house to a giant outdoor chess board. They’ll love going through secret tunnels, climbing nets and enjoying the swings in the playground, too.
And for those who are looking for a lighter activity, there’s a farm trail where you can feed the ponies, alpacas, bunnies and pigs. And there’s even a little train that will take you through Margam Country Park’s historic landscape.
Tickets: It’s free!
Where: Port Talbot SA13 2TJ
Heartlands, Redruth, Cornwall
Aspiring pirates and sailors-in-the-making can climb aboard a shipwrecked ship, where they can rule the Adventure playground residents from. And if there happens to be a mutiny, kids can make a quick escape through the funnel slides.
There’s also a giant wooden climbing structure – called The Giant’s Trap – which is based on a story of a local giant Bolster, who fell in love with a St Agnes maid. Kids will take full advantage of the inland beach, too, which comes with diggers and tunnels.
The Heartlands playground is an adventure waiting to happen for your kids, while you sit back and enjoy the sounds of laughter and fun.
Tickets: It’s free for all.
Where: Robinson’s Shaft, Dudnance Ln, Pool, Redruth TR15 3QY
Tyntesfield, Wraxall, Somerset
While you might want to look at the 72,000 objects inside the gothic house, your kids will be spoilt for choice on the outdoor play areas.
The Home Farm courtyard has everything you can imagine from a tractor to climb up to slides to giggle down. And if you thought there were only areas for the little ones to enjoy, you’d be wrong. Bigger kids can enjoy the orchard play area by the Tyntesfield’s Pavilion Café.
If that’s not enough, there’s also a woodland play area with a den-building village and a sculpture trail, where kids can spot lion heads and dogs.
Tickets: Children can enjoy the house and ground for £8.50, while adults pay £17 each. Family tickets, meanwhile, cost £42.50. Where: Wraxall, Bristol BS48 1NX
WildPlay, Keswick, Cumbria
Looking for an even better budget option? WildPlay is your go-to place. Located in the Whinlatter mountain park, there’s a 600m trail with obstacles the kids will love.
Besides seeing sculptures of Shaun the Sheep and the Gruffalo, there are rope bridges, timber climbing frames and log swings, too. Not to mention, there’s a Go Ape attraction overhead, which is a fun zip lining activity for those adventurous types.
Tickets: Go Ape sells for £20 per person.
Where: In between Cockermouth / Keswick / Braithwaite / Lorton