Huge new wooden play attraction to open at historic English house with den building, zip lines and racing slides
FAMILIES will be thrilled to hear that an enormous wooden playground is set to open this summer.
Tucked away in Suffolk, the play area will be set within the four-acre grounds of Helmingham Estate in Stowmarket.
The attraction will be called Guildenacre and will be suitable for children of all ages who can immerse themselves in a magical adventure.
There will be four themed areas around the playground – the first will be Flint’s Hollow, home to Flint the Badger.
You’ll be able to tell where it is as it has badger stripes covering the top of the turrets.
Flint’s Hollow will have tunnels, burrows and two-storey lookout spots.
Once the kids get up there, they’ll be able to look across the grounds before heading back down on the twisty slide.
Up amongst the trees is Eira the Owl’s Canopy Keep with wooden walkways and rope ladders.
There’s a stargazing deck and even talking tubes where children can send messages to their playmates.
The biggest part of the playground is Elderglade which is looked over by Atlas the Stag.
Here there are climbing walls, tunnels, ladders, multi-level walkways, bridges and several impressive slides to race down.
The Ember Den is the fourth area and is the ideal place for older children with an exciting zip line and racing slide.
On the ground there are play trails and balance beams too.
Each area of the playground is linked through bark pathways – so anyone with pushchairs or wheelchairs can easily access it.
There’s also a den building zone for children to build their own hideout.
Adults won’t have to go far for drinks and snacks either as there will also be a place to pick these up within the wood – at the Grade II listed Wades Barn.
The new adventure playground also includes a separate car park and the planned opening is for summer 2026.
Helmingham Hall itself is a moated 16th century manor house with a 400-acre deer park.
It has Grade I listed gardens surrounding the house. It also has a café and shops in the Coach House Courtyard.
Helmingham Hall and Gardens is currently closed for the season and will open May 3, 2026.
Plus, one of England’s best playgrounds to reopen this summer after major £3million renewal.
And here’s London’s best family attraction that ‘feels like it was created for kids’ to get huge new nature playground.