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Diana Memorial Playground’s New 12-Metre Galleon Nears Completion After Bavaria Inspection

The £3 million upgrade replaces worn-out equipment with inclusive, sustainably sourced play structures ahead of a summer 2026 reopening.

Overview

  • Royal Parks staff inspected the full-scale wooden ship in Frasdorf, Bavaria, before its journey to Kensington Gardens.
  • The galleon is being built by Timberplay and Richter Spielgerate, the original team behind the 2000 Peter Pan–themed design.
  • Key features include a tunnel slide, two crow’s nests and a ramped main-deck entrance designed for wheelchair access.
  • Mountain larch sourced from sustainably managed alpine forests was selected for natural strength and rot resistance, eliminating chemical treatment.
  • The refurbishment also introduces a new treehouse, a redesigned water play zone and a dedicated under‑threes area after the autumn 2025 closure of the UK’s most visited playground.