A spectacular 17-meter-long galleon, slated to be the focal point of a £3 million upgrade to the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground, has been hoisted into position. Crafted from mountain larch in the Bavarian Alps of Germany, the wooden ship embarked on its maiden voyage before being installed in London’s Kensington Gardens.
Aerial footage captured the cautious lifting of the first half of the structure by a crane into the royal park, where it will stand as a new “full-scale” vessel for children of all ages to relish. The anticipated opening of the playground is set for later this year.
Park manager Andy Williams expressed excitement over the arrival of the new galleon at Kensington Gardens, highlighting its significance for the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground. Children will have the opportunity to steer their imaginary ship as the playground is scheduled to reopen in the summer of 2026.
Transported across the North Sea from Rotterdam to Tilbury in Essex and then by road to London, the enhanced play area will showcase the galleon, featuring a tunnel slide, two crow’s nests, and a ramped entrance to the main deck for disability access. Additionally, new attractions such as a treehouse, revamped water play area, and an under-threes zone will be included.
Constructed as a tribute to the late princess, the free playground, located adjacent to Diana’s former residence, Kensington Palace, first welcomed visitors in 2000. The Royal Parks charity disclosed that the £3 million investment was necessary due to the aging equipment at the site.
Despite being closed for refurbishment since last autumn, the playground, attracting around one million visitors annually and holding the title of the UK’s most frequented playground, is on track to reopen this summer. The galleon was built in Frasdorf, Germany, by Timberplay and Richter Spielgerate, the same designers behind the original Peter Pan-themed galleon at the playground’s inception.
Royal Parks emphasized that the harsh alpine conditions in the construction area led to slow timber growth, resulting in stronger, naturally rot-resistant wood that eliminates the need for chemical treatments.
