A £3 million renovation has been completed on a playground dedicated to Princess Diana, set to reopen to the public tomorrow. The playground, located in Kensington Palace Gardens, has been closed for refurbishment since last autumn and transformed with a Peter Pan theme. The highlight of the revamped playground is a 17-meter wooden ship, including a 12-meter galleon, which children can explore by climbing to crow’s nests, sliding down a tunnel slide, and playing in a kitchen area below deck. The ship, crafted from sustainably managed mountain larch wood in the Bavarian Alps, was built by Timberplay and Richter Spielgerate, the same designers behind the original Peter Pan galleon erected in 2000.
In addition to the ship, the playground features a wheelchair-accessible treehouse with a four-meter slide tunnel and walkways, along with an area specially designed for children under three, offering timber houses, play ships, and a large sandpit. A new waterplay section with a life-sized crocodile sculpture is also included, although it will not operate initially due to the hosepipe ban in London.
Before the official reopening, children from the nearby St Mary Abbot School had the opportunity to test the new playground equipment. Park Manager Andy Williams expressed excitement about the playground’s reopening, highlighting the inclusive design catering to children of all abilities and interests. The Royal Parks organization anticipates high visitor numbers, especially with schools on summer break, and advises planning ahead due to potential queues. The Diana Memorial Playground, opened in 2000 on the former site of a playground established in 1906 by JM Barrie, author of Peter Pan, is a popular destination, welcoming around one million visitors annually.
The playground holds historical significance, as it was opened three years after Princess Diana’s passing and was inaugurated by her close friend Rosa Monckton, Monckton’s daughter Domenica, and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The site’s reopening marks a milestone in preserving Princess Diana’s legacy and her connection with children.
