First Look at New Woodland Adventure Playground
A Suffolk estate has unveiled first look images of its brand-new woodland adventure playground, the only attraction of its kind in the region, ahead of opening to visitors this weekend.
Guildenacre, an immersive play experience set within a stunning four-acre woodland at Helmingham Estate, will lower its drawbridge and open its grand wooden doors on Saturday 27th June.
Designed and created by world-class adventure playground specialists CAP.CO (Creating Adventurous Places), Guildenacre is a permanent addition to the Helmingham Estate visitor experience, offering families an imaginative outdoor adventure inspired by nature.
Edward Tollemache, custodian of Helmingham and co-founder of Guildenacre with his wife Sophie said: “Families can spend as long as they like at Guildenacre and are not restricted by time slots, you just need to reserve your arrival time. We want families to enjoy discovering the four themed play areas at their leisure, especially as each section offers a multitude of different play experiences and opportunities for children to create adventures and memories of their own.”
Inspired by the estate's woodland setting, each of the four themed play areas has been designed around animals found in the surrounding habitats, encouraging children to connect with nature while enjoying active outdoor play.
Flint's Hollow, home to Flint the Badger, features tunnels, burrows, two-storey lookout points and a covered twisty slide. High amongst the trees, Eira the Owl's Canopy Keep invites young adventurers to climb rope ladders, cross wooden walkways and discover a giant telescope on the stargazing deck.
The Elderglade, home to Atlas the Stag, is the largest play area and includes climbing walls, tunnels, ladders, bridges, multi-level walkways and impressive twin slides. Meanwhile, Vex the Vixen's Ember Den offers older children more challenging play with climbing structures, monkey bars and balance beams. Visitors can also enjoy an adrenaline-fuelled zip line, a smaller version for younger explorers and plenty of opportunities for imaginative play.
Edward added: “As well as the play equipment, there are imaginative and educational tasks for children to enjoy, including den building and the Guardian Shield Quest, to ignite an appreciation for the flora and fauna that makes its home on the Helmingham Estate.
“We’ve chosen a wood-themed design to immerse and reconnect visitors with nature and have worked closely with CAP.CO to ensure Guildenacre has been sustainably built, using estate materials as much as possible.”
The four play areas are linked by bark pathways, with facilities including a refreshment kiosk, seating areas and toilets available throughout the site.
Ahead of the official opening, Noah Richards, winner of Guildenacre's school playground design competition, and his Year 3 classmates from Stonham Aspal CEVA Primary School became some of the very first children to experience the new attraction.
Visitors can also explore the newly restored Grade II listed Wades Barn and its adjoining single-storey brick range, which includes a café operated by Suffolk deli group The Black Dog Deli, visitor toilets and a retail space. A new free car park is available for both Guildenacre visitors and walkers.
Until Monday 31st August, advance online tickets are priced at £11.50 for children aged five and over, £8 for adults and £6 for children aged three and over. Children under three go free.
Edward said: “We have welcomed the recent announcement from the government and the temporary reduced rate of VAT on tickets to certain attractions and we are pleased to be able to pass this saving on to our visitors by reducing the ticket prices for our debut summer.”
Alternatively, tickets can be purchased on the day for £13 for children aged five and over, £9.50 for adults and £7.50 for children aged three and over until the end of August. Children under three go free. Seasonal event tickets will be priced separately.
Visitors to Guildenacre will also receive a 25% discount on admission to Helmingham Hall Gardens, located just a 10-minute walk or two-minute drive away.
Guildenacre will be open on weekends from Saturday 27th June, before opening daily for the summer holidays from Saturday 18th July until Monday 31st August, after which it will return to weekend opening.
For further information and to book tickets, please visit:
