The finishing touches are being applied to a magnificent new wooden ship that will form the heart of a major £3million renovation at the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground. Located next to her former home at Kensington Palace, the beloved play area is currently closed for its dramatic transformation and is scheduled to reopen to the public this summer.
A Ship Built for Adventure and Imagination
The centrepiece of the project is a 12-metre tall, full-scale wooden galleon, meticulously crafted in the German village of Frasdorf at the foothills of the Bavarian Alps. Staff from The Royal Parks, which manages the site, have already inspected the impressive structure in Germany before its maiden voyage to its permanent home in London's Kensington Gardens.
The new ship is designed to spark endless adventure, featuring a thrilling tunnel slide, two crow's nests for aspiring lookouts, and a specially ramped entrance to the main deck to ensure full disabled access. It replaces the original Peter Pan-themed ship from the playground's opening in 2000, which had simply been worn out by millions of joyful children over the decades.
Sustainable Craftsmanship and Lasting Legacy
Constructed by the same designers, Timberplay and Richter Spielgerate, who built the original, the new galleon is partially built from mountain larch wood sourced from sustainably managed forests in the Bavarian Alps. The harsh alpine conditions cause the trees to grow extremely slowly, resulting in timber that is exceptionally strong and naturally resistant to rot, eliminating the need for chemical treatments.
Andy Williams, park manager for Kensington Gardens, emphasised the playground's enduring ethos, stating: "It really reaches to children’s imaginations, it lets them set free in a safe space." He added that the new design remains "in the spirit of Princess Diana, we’ve kept faithful to that."
A Playground Reborn for Future Generations
The £3million investment will refresh the entire playground, with equipment that had reached the end of its operational life. Alongside the majestic galleon, visitors this summer will discover:
- A brand new treehouse for elevated exploration.
- A completely redesigned and engaging water play area.
- A dedicated new play zone for children under three years old.
Peter Heuken, head of planning at Richter Spielgerate, who helped design the original, expressed his pride, noting: "If equipment is not just rotting away, but it is run through and worn out by children, then this is the biggest compliment one can get."
First opened in June 2000, the playground sits on the site of a former play area opened in 1906 by Peter Pan author J.M. Barrie. It attracts an average of one million visitors each year, making it the most visited playground in the United Kingdom. The upcoming summer reopening promises to honour Diana's legacy by providing a magical and inclusive space for children to dream and play for many years to come.
