The Princess Diana Memorial Playground in London's Kensington Gardens is set to reopen on Wednesday, August 5, following a £3 million renovation. The playground, which first opened in 2000, honors the late Princess of Wales. The Royal Parks charity announced the reopening after the extensive makeover.
The playground, inspired by Peter Pan, has undergone a complete overhaul after more than two decades of use. Many popular features, including the iconic wooden sailing ship, have been replaced due to wear and tear. Before its closure for refurbishment, the free attraction welcomed over one million visitors annually, establishing itself as one of the UK's most popular playgrounds.
Visitors will find a new 17-meter by 12-meter Galleon ship situated on a sandy beach. This centerpiece includes two crow's nests, a tunnel slide, a play telescope, and interior spaces like a kitchen. Additionally, the park features a "Treehouse of Dreams" with three climbable towers, a four-meter tunnel slide, and an accessible walkway equipped with talk tubes, musical instruments, and interactive games. A larger water play area with a crocodile sculpture, allowing children to control the water flow, has also been added. Younger children will benefit from a redesigned area with timber houses, mini play ships, and a sandpit.
Accessibility was a key focus of the refurbishment. The new design incorporates wheelchair-accessible spaces within the galleon and treehouse, a new accessible path, raised play tables, sensory planting, and upgraded musical features. Sustainability measures include sourcing timber from sustainably managed forests in Europe and implementing a new water play system that collects runoff for irrigation. The playground's restroom facilities have also been improved, with nearly double the number of toilets and two accessible cubicles.
Children from nearby St Mary Abbots School were invited to test the new equipment ahead of the official reopening. Andy Williams, Park Manager for Kensington Gardens, expressed anticipation for the public's reaction, stating that the playground was designed to appeal to children of all abilities and interests. He also noted that the nearly two-acre site offers ample space for children to play.
The Royal Parks charity has cautioned that the playground is likely to be very busy in the coming weeks due to school holidays. With a capacity of 450 people, visitors may face queues, especially on weekends. Williams advised visitors to check The Royal Parks website for information on 13 other playgrounds and family events across the Royal Parks if they wish to avoid waiting.
The playground's initial opening in 2000 was marked by controversy when the Royal Family faced criticism for not attending the ceremony. At the time, Buckingham Palace stated that engagements prevented Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, Prince William, and Prince Harry from attending. Then-chancellor Gordon Brown and Royal Parks Minister Alan Howarth officially opened the memorial, accompanied by Diana's brother, Earl Spencer, and Diana's friend Rosa Monckton. The playground, originally costing £1.7 million to build, is based on a Peter Pan theme, referencing the site's history as the location of a playground funded by J.M. Barrie, author of the Peter Pan stories, in 1906. Princess Diana died in a car crash in Paris in 1997. The park is located in Kensington Gardens, where she resided at Kensington Palace.