Creating Adventurous Places (CAP.Co), the adventure play specialist, is working with Helmingham Estate in Suffolk, UK, to design and create an immersive new play experience which is set to open this summer.
Nestled within a four-acre wood on the historic estate's grounds, Guildenacre will take children of all ages on an adventure through four themed areas, where they will meet the guardians of the forest.
'Challenge, discovery and intrigue'
Each area is themed around one of the guardian animals and their habitat, whether digging underground or soaring high in the trees.
In addition to adventure play, the facility offers educational activities such as a trail with stamp stations.
Edward Tollemache, custodian of Helmingham and co-founder of Guildenacre with his wife Sophie, says: "This meticulously considered new addition to the Helmingham Estate will be an exciting mix of challenge, discovery and intrigue for all its visitors, both young and the young at heart.
"Inspired by the estate’s beautiful surroundings and the animals you would expect to find in the neighbouring habitats, you will see references to our family’s coat of arms in the form of a magical flying Pegasus which we hope our visitors will enjoy discovering too."
The first play area will be Flint’s Hollow, home to Flint the Badger. This features tunnels, burrows, and two-storey lookout spots, with recognisable badger stripes on top of its turrets. After venturing up to the highest point, children can return to earth on a covered, twisting slide.
Eira the Owl’s Canopy Keep will be found high in the trees, with a wooden walkway and rope ladder leading to the stargazing deck. Talking tubes invite visitors to send secret messages.
The largest of the structures is Atlas the Stag's Elderglade. Here, children can enjoy climbing walls, tunnels, ladders, multi-level walkways, bridges, and several slides.
In Guildenacre's fourth area, the Ember Den, children will meet Vex the Vixen. This area features two zip lines, one of which is designed for younger visitors, as well as a racing slide, ground-level play trails and balance beams. The Ember Den is designed to encourage explorative play and is ideal for older children.
Connection to nature
All four play areas will be linked with bark pathways suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs, and will be accompanied by a den-building zone, refreshments and toilets.
Celia Deeley, estates director for Helmingham, says: "Construction of the playground is being carefully managed to cause minimal disruption to the estate’s woodland, to preserve habitats and to ensure that ancient trees are undamaged during the build.
"We’ll be using estate materials as much as possible and have chosen a wood-themed design to complement and blend into the surroundings, so that our visitors feel even more immersed in nature."
In addition to the adventure playground, Helmingham will be developing modest refreshment and retail facilities at the Grade II-listed Wades Barn. This will serve as the entry point for visitors preparing for their Guildenacre adventure.
"With the introduction of our new playground, visitors will have even more to experience during a day out at Helmingham," says Tollemache.
"Guildenacre will be a wonderful accompaniment to our Grade I listed gardens, 400-acre deer park, shops and seasonal events."
The build of the new adventure playground, including a separate car park, will continue throughout early 2026, with its opening planned for the summer.
CAP.Co recently completed a silo-themed play structure at Lewis Adventure Farm & Zoo in New Era, Michigan, which marked its first major work in the US.
