One of England’s best playgrounds to reopen this summer after major £3million renewal
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.
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.