First look at new woodland adventure playground

A Suffolk Estate has revealed first look images of its new woodland adventure playground, the only one of its kind in the region, ahead of its opening this weekend.  

Guildenacre, an immersive play experience woven within a stunning four-acre wood in the grounds of Helmingham Estate, lowered its drawbridge and opened its grand wooden doors today (Saturday, June 27). 

Enhancing the visitor experience at Helmingham Estate with this permanent and immersive new addition, Guildenacre has been designed and created by CAP.CO (Creating Adventurous Places), who are specialists in hand-crafted adventure playgrounds.

Edward Tollemache, the 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 surroundings and natural woodland, the play areas are themed around animals in the neighbouring habitats, encouraging young explorers to notice  and appreciate nature whilst burning off some energy in the great outdoors.

Flint’s Hollow is home to Flint the badger and is full of tunnels and burrows alongside two-storey lookout spots and a covered, twisty slide, whilst high up in the trees is Eira the Owl’s canopy keep with a rope ladder to climb, wooden walkways to travel up and a giant telescope on the stargazing deck. 

The Elderglade, home to Atlas the stag, is the largest play area featuring climbing walls, tunnels, ladders, multi-level walkways, bridges and impressive twin slides to race down, whereas Vex the vixen’s ember den is ideal for older children with its challenging climbing structure, monkey bars and balance beams.

There’s also an adrenaline-fuelled zip line and a mini version for younger explorers, as well as areas to encourage explorative  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.”

All four play areas at Guildenacre are linked with bark pathways and amenities include a refreshment kiosk, places to rest and refuel, and toilets.

Ahead of the opening, the winner of Guildenacre’s school design competition, Noah Richards from Stonham Aspal CEVA Primary School and his class from Year 3, were some of the first children to enjoy the new woodland adventure playground this week. 

During a day out at Guildenacre, visitors can also head to the updated Grade II listed Wades Barn and its adjacent single storey brick range housing a kitchen serving refreshments, which will be run by Suffolk deli group The Black Dog Deli, toilets and a retail space. A new car park is also available and is free to use for Guildenacre visitors and walkers.

Until Monday, August 31, tickets to Guildenacre when booked online in advance are £11.50 for children aged five and over, £8 for adults and £6 for children aged three and over. Children under three go free.

Alternatively, tickets can be purchased on the day and these are £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. Tickets for seasonal events will be at a different price. 

Visitors to Guildenacre will also receive a 25% discount on Helmingham Hall Gardens, which are a short 10-minute walk away or a two-minute drive.

Guildenacre will be open for weekends from Saturday, June 27, and then daily for the summer holidays from Saturday, July 18, until Monday, August 31,  before returning to its weekend opening. 

For further information and to book tickets, please visit: www.guildenacre.co.uk