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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
National
Ross Lydall

Princess Diana memorial playground in Kensington Gardens to close for £3m refurbishment

Pirate ship: the galleon centrepiece of the Diana playground will be rebuilt - (The Royal Parks)

One of London’s best children’s adventure playgrounds is to undergo a £3m refurbishment – but will be closed for six months while the work is carried out.

The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens, just north of Diana’s former home at Kensington Palace, is used by about a million children a year.

First opened in 2000, much of its equipment – including the “pirate galleon” that forms the centrepiece of the Peter Pan-inspired playground, and a wooden fort – has reached an “end of life” state, necessitating the need for a refresh.

King of the castle: the wooden fort will be rebuilt (The Royal Parks)
Ship shape: inside the new galleon, which will be accessible to all children (The Royal Parks)

The new designs include a rebuilt galleon, which will be accessible to children with mobility needs. The new ship, which will have three levels, will be recreated using sustainable mountain larch.

The changes, which are awaiting planning permission, will be funded with £3m from The Royal Parks charity.

The existing playground– a haven for young children and families, that is often packed during good weather – will be “carefully deconstructed”, with items reused where possible.

The treehouse “encampment” will be rebuilt, the mermaid water feature retained, and new towers and climbing areas created to offer new challenges for children.

Kensington Gardens park manager Andy Williams described the playground as a “magnificent facility for millions of young people”.

Setting sail: Flashback to the opening of the Diana memorial playground in 2000 (Getty Images)

The playground is due to close in the autumn of 2025 to allow construction to start. It should reopen in the spring of 2026.

Initial designs for the playground were revealed on Thursday by The Royal Parks charity, which manages London’s eight royal parks.

The new galleon will have an additional “crow’s nest” and a double storey “stern”, plus ship’s wheel and a telescope.

A new multiple-level “tree house encampment” will allow children to climb and play at different heights. Features include a suspension bridge, a tunnel slide, a rope bridge and a see-saw bridge with a slide.

A redesigned and improved mermaid fountain will expand the water and sand play area. The new designs will allow runoff water to be collected and reused for irrigation.

New tree planting for shade and biodiversity, and sensory, allergy-friendly and pollinator-friendly planting, will improve the playground’s natural setting, alongside new seating and paths.

Fantasy voyage: the Peter Pan themed playground is the ‘most famous playground in the world’ (The Royal Parks/Timberplay)

Mr Williams said: “It’s been wonderful to welcome millions and millions of children to what is arguably the most famous playground in the world, set against the beautiful backdrop of Kensington Gardens.

“We’re delighted to share the first designs for this exciting renewal which will retain the character of the existing playground, but will incorporate new improved features, inspiring children to be curious about the natural environment, for many years.

“We’re working together with local communities, especially children, to gather and incorporate their feedback into the designs at every stage, so that that all children feel welcome and can enjoy free, accessible, creative and social play, fostering their health and wellbeing.”

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