3MILLION

A LONDON playground that is a regular fixture on lists of England’s best playparks for kids is set to reopen later this year.

The Princess Diana Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens is set to reopen in summer 2026 with a brand new full-scale wooden ship set over three floors.

The popular attraction closed for refurbishment in November 2025 and is set to open in a few months with a brand new galleon.

The new ship costing £3million, will be set over three levels and will replace the existing pirate ship.

It will have an additional crow’s nest and a double-storey stern with a ship’s wheel, a telescope and accessible wheelchair spaces.

Other new additions to the playground will be its new treehouse, redesigned water play area and a new space for little ones aged three and under three.

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Royal Parks said in order to improve “accessibility and inclusivity some of the paths in the playground will be resurfaced and a new accessible path will be created”.

It added that other additions will be wheelchair accessible picnic tables, sensory planting and an upgraded musical area.

The new ship was constructed by the same designers who made the original ship back in 2000.

The playground which is in Kensington Gardens, next to Princess Diana‘s former home, welcomes over one million visitors every year.

It was opened as a tribute to Princess Diana after her death in 1997 and is completely free to visitors.

The park’s pirate ship was inspired by the book Peter Pan, with author JM Barrie setting part of the story in Kensington Gardens.

The park is a popular spot for families thanks to its giant wooden pirate structure with its own beach, as well as a sensory trail and teepees to play in.

There are also a great variety of play sculptures set among the trees and plants, including a tree-house with walkways, ladders and slides.

There’s seating around the edges so that grownups can relax while their kids play.

The on-site Broad Walk Cafe serves tea, coffee, juices, pastries, sandwiches, salads and pizza.

It has over 550 5-star reviews on Tripadvisor with parents praising the playground with some calling it the ‘best playground in London‘.

One wrote: “Such a fun playground. Great use of space and different sections to play in. We could spend hours there.”

Another added: “My kids love this playground especially the pirate ship it keeps them busy for ages.”

The playground isn’t the only thing for kids to wonder at as the park is home to ring-necked parakeets.

Next to The Long Water in the park is a stretch of hedges which people frequently visit to see the little green birds.

This indoor playground has oak tree slides & castle play fort…

In Stafford is a play area set in amongst the Chillington Estate and has lots to entertain both children and adults whatever the weather…

Hockerhill opened just last year, but has already proved to be a hit with families, especially during the winter.

The playground has both indoor and outdoor areas so whether there’s rare winter sun, or what’s more likely, rain, kids can still play.

Inside, families will find a huge fake oak tree with a huge slide, and places to climb.

There’s also an indoor castle where kids can explore bridges, high-level walkways, tunnels, slides and ropes.

It’s no surprise that parents have made it their go-to spot for when the weather turns grey.

It’s not just play either, there are lots of places to eat and drink around it along with tables and chairs for parents to relax in.

There are places to grab snacks such as cakes and ice cream as well as hot food such as sourdough pizzas and sandwiches.

The children’s menu serves up an all day breakfast as well as pancakes, for lunch, kids can have pasta and toasties.

When there’s a clear winter’s day, outside is an area with zip lines, swings, slides and a designated area for toddlers.

For keen drivers, there’s a winding pedal go-kart track which starts outside and heads indoors.

For more on playgrounds, here’s the biggest park in the UK with an award-winning adventure attraction, huge playground and ‘roller slide’.

And here’s London’s best family attraction that ‘feels like it was created for kids’ to get huge new nature playground.

A previous European route for passengers was axed back in 2018, but connections could be revived as soon as spring 2025. If launched, it would become the second-longest ferry route across Europe and take over 20 hours.

A proposed ferry route that would connect Scotland to France could launch as soon as spring 2026, with a 20-hour journey open for both passengers and freight.

Ferry operator DFDS has floated plans to offer a ferry services from Rosyth, about half an hour from Edinburgh, to Dunkirk on France’s Nord department.

It’s not the first time the Scottish port has had a European service. Until 2010, passengers could travel by boat to Zeebrugge in Belgium, which used to take 17 hours. The service, which ran four times a week, was axed for passengers in 2010 and turned into a freight service before being discontinued completely in 2018.

The plans, dubbed ‘Project Brave’ were first revealed in 2022, but soon hit red tape. There was initially a need to build new border control facilities at Rosyth to process certain goods. However, officials are now looking to remove the need for the facilities, which means the route could be ready to launch in as soon as spring.

Questions were also raised about whether Transport Scotland should subsidise the £3 million needed to open the route, with the government arguing it would be ‘anti-competitive’ to provide the funding. However, Labour MP Graeme Downie argued in Westminster in November that “It is estimated the direct ferry link would initially carry 51,000 passengers a year, rising to 79,000, bringing an additional £11.5 million (€14 million) of spend to the Scottish economy.”

The planned 20-hour route would run three times a week, and would become the second-longest ferry service in all of Europe, just behind the Portsmouth to Bilbao route which takes between 27 and 30 hours.

Graeme Downie also previously spoke in parliament about the delays faced in making the new route a reality, saying: “These matters can be complex but we have taken a huge stride towards making this ferry service a reality. I want to thank the secretary of state for Scotland and his officials for their work and assistance in finding a way to ensure a Border Control Post is not required at Rosyth. Their efforts make it more likely a passenger and freight ferry to Dunkirk could begin as soon as next year

“We are not quite there yet and, in particular, a small amount of infrastructure is needed at the Port of Rosyth. However, as the ferry is one of the projects in the strategy of the Forth Green Freeport I am hopeful we can overcome this problem as well.”

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Dunkirk’s location makes it a handy port for those planning to drive on the continent. As well as being a gateway to France, it is close to the Belgium and just over an hour from the Netherlands.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

THE Government is launching a week long sale on train tickets that could save you up to 70 per cent on transport.

Running from 6-12 January millions of train tickets will be discounted to help make half term activities, weekend getaways and commuting more affordable.

The reduced fares can be used to travel on thousands of popular routes between 13 January and 25 March 2026.

The routes span the length and breadth of Britain as nearly all train operators are taking part.

Make the most of the £10 fares from south coast destinations such as Portsmouth to London Waterloo by booking a big day out or catch up with a city friend.

If you’re planning a holiday abroad you could maximise your savings by booking it between January and March as journeys from Manchester Piccadilly to Manchester Airport will cost just £1.20, down from £2.90. 

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This is the fourth year of the Rail Sale and last year over 1 million tickets were sold, bringing in over £9 million in ticket sale revenue for the industry. 

Passengers last time saved an average of £8 per journey.

The sale marks another of the Government’s attempts to ease the cost of living by freezing rail fares for the first time in 30 years. 

Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said: “The Rail Sale is back – and it means further discounts for passengers as we freeze rail fares for the first time in three decades to help ease the cost of living.

“We all want to see cheaper rail travel, so whether you’re planning a half term getaway, or visiting friends or family, this sale offers huge reductions. 

“It’s all part of our plans to build a railway owned by the public, that works for the public.”