Final preparations are underway on a central feature of the multi-million-pound refurbishment of the Princess Diana memorial playground in London, with a spectacular new wooden ship being constructed in Germany.
Bavarian Craftsmanship for a London Landmark
The full-scale, 12-metre (39ft) tall wooden galleon is being built near the village of Frasdorf, in the foothills of the Bavarian Alps. It is being crafted by the firms Timberplay and Richter Spielgerate, the same designers responsible for the original Peter Pan-themed pirate ship installed when the playground first opened in 2000.
The playground, located in Kensington Gardens near Diana's former home at Kensington Palace, was closed in October 2024 as The Royal Parks stated many features had reached the end of their lifespan. A total of £3 million is being invested in the comprehensive upgrade.
Features Focused on Inclusive Play
The new galleon is designed to be far more than a static sculpture. It will include a tunnel slide, two crow's nests, and a ramped entrance to the main deck to ensure disabled access. This aligns with the project's goal to provide "more accessible and inclusive play" for children of all abilities.
Other new elements for the revamped space include a fresh treehouse, a redesigned water play area, and a dedicated zone for children under three years old. The Royal Parks has emphasised that while the new equipment will retain the magical, Peter Pan-inspired characteristics of the original, it will offer enhanced opportunities for creative and challenging physical play.
Sustainable Materials and Lasting Legacy
The structure is being partially built from mountain larch wood sourced from sustainably managed forests in the Bavarian Alps. The harsh alpine conditions cause extremely slow tree growth, resulting in timber that is stronger and naturally resistant to rot, eliminating the need for chemical treatments.
Andy Williams, park manager for Kensington Gardens, said the playground "really reaches to children's imaginations" and lets them "set free in a safe space." He added that the new design remains "in the spirit of Princess Diana."
Peter Heuken, head of planning at Richter Spielgerate, who helped design the original ship in 2000, expressed his passion for the project, stating, "We are so much in love with the place and the park that I decided, we absolutely want to help redo it."
The completed galleon is scheduled to be transported to London in time for the playground's grand reopening in the summer of 2025, where it is expected to delight millions of children for decades to come.
