Adventure & Play

Adventure Playground

Can you conquer the adventure playground? Children can swing into action at the adventure playground, where there are activities for everyone from tots to teens, all made from naturalistic materials. Tackle the Altitude Tower or conquer the climbing wall and enjoy an exhilarating slide back down to earth.

Have fun on the agility course, fly high on the swings or have a go at tightrope walking. For older children there are the challenges of the Viking Rope Swing, the whirling roundabout aptly-named ‘The Whirlwind’ and the boisterous ‘Queen of Swings’. Then race down our new twin zip-lines beside the Barefoot Walk.

Enjoy a day at the beach

The toddler zone is a natural and nautical themed adventure area with willow dens and tunnels to explore and a range of equipment to develop motor skills and confidence whilst having lots of fun.

For those with younger toddlers there is a separate pair of sand pits for quieter play, surrounded by convenient seating. At the heart of the main toddler zone is a large sand play area including three activity boats, one of which is wheelchair accessible, on a “sea of sand”. There is a sandplay activity tower and wobbly leaves to balance on as well as larger diggers which can be operated with a little help or are great for older siblings.

There’s lots of fun to be had with nest swings, toddlers’ and traditional seesaws, a mini slide, plus two stages of baby and toddler swings. And with lots of lawns to play and picnic on and the Italian Garden Tearoom is close to hand for icecreams and hot drink, there is always something to do.

Young Drivers Zone

Test your driving skills at the Young Drivers Zone (vehicles are suitable for children aged 5 and under).

Barefoot Walk

We dare you to brave the Barefoot Walk!

Get naked from the knees down and enjoy a walk through the Capability Brown landscape. Tantalise your toes with an array of testing textures including mud, bark, babbling streams, grass and pebbles.

Shoe lockers and foot showers are available.

Hide and Speak Maze

Within the Hide and Speak Maze, you’ll discover special talking pipes. Shout through them to help you to find your way. Discover a range of flowering meadows with bug hotels attracting lots of interesting seasonally active insects including hoverflies, bees, butterflies, moths, damselflies and beetles as you explore. The final destination is the ‘Treasure Chest’ meadow mound buzzing with pollinators on a sunny day, with a spiral path leading you to the top of the maze. From this high position, you can shout your instructions to others, still lost in the maze.

Natural Play

Discover the Gardens natural play features and opportunities. Outdoor play has physical benefits for developing children including helping to develop motor skills, eye-hand coordination as well as building confidence and collaborative skills. Many of our visitors ( 4 years and under) learn to ride scooters and bicycles. Rolling down the grassy banks in the gardens is always popular and a great test of your washing powder!