[title]
Kensington’s Princess Diana Memorial Playground is the jewel in the crown of central London playparks, drawing in over a million kids a year with the prospect of Peter Pan-inspired adventures. But unfortunately, it's been closed since last autumn for a £3 million renovation, leaving a fun-shaped gap in Kensington Gardens. Sure, you could feed the ducks, but it's not quite as good as rampaging over a gigantic pirate ship, is it?
Luckily, it looks like the playground is shaping up beautifully ahead of its big reopening this summer. The centrepiece? A spectacular life-size galleon that’s travelled over the North Sea to reach Kensington (loaded onto another, more-seaworthy vessel). The 12-metre tall ship was made in Frasdorf, Germany, by Bavarian specialists in wooden play equipment, and is made from larch wood from the nearby Alps. It’s been assembled by crane, and is set to have two crow’s nests, a tunnel slide, and rigging for maximum realism.
Andy Williams, park manager for Kensington Gardens, has said that he’s thrilled with the new arrival: ‘Children can be the captain of their own ship and let their imaginations soar when the playground reopens’.
Still, there’s still a few more months to wait for that to happen this summer, and a specific date has not yet been set. Royal Parks is still seeking donations for the big refurb, which it’s funding with support from both private individuals and corporate supporters.
Let’s hope we’re not waiting too long, because this playground is pretty special. It was first built in 2000 to honour Diana, Princess of Wales after she passed away three years earlier – it was decided that the famously approachable ‘People's Princess’ would be best honoured by creating a space that kids could enjoy, instead of a dull public statue. In Hyde Park, you'll find another, equally joyful Diana memorial in the form of a giant, ring-shaped fountain and you can paddle in during warmer months.
The Easter holidays are hatching soon! Here are some brilliant kid-friendly things to do.
Get the latest and greatest from the Big Smoke – from news and reviews to events and trends. Just follow our Time Out London WhatsApp channel.
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out London newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.