New UK attraction opening this week with huge play area, slide & climbing ladder

A NEW “adventure play area” is opening at a major UK attraction this week, ahead of the summer holidays.

Keeping kids entertained during the school break can be difficult, but the new playground could be a good place to start.

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Nature’s Playground will open this weekend, on Saturday, July 8 at the Eden Project in Cornwall, and promises “inclusive and accessible” play for children of all ages.

The new play area will consist of slides and ladders, swings, and a nine-metre-tall “Tree of Life” tower, that will provide year-round play for visitors.

Other features will include water play, suspended nets and even a miniature clay quarry.

The tree will be the centrepiece of the new area, with children able to scramble, crawl and climb their way through and over it to a viewing nest at the very top.

From there they can get back down to the bottom via a big corkscrew tube slide.

The new site will cover an area of nearly 500 square metres, roughly the size of two and a half tennis courts.

The Eden Project say it has been designed “to nestle seamlessly within an existing sloped woodland landscape” and will “provide imaginative multi-level, sensory and accessible play”.

They also claim the play area will “immerse children in a wonderful woodland world with diverse types of play to excite and engage all ages”.

 Eden’s Chief Marketing Officer Emma Evans said: “Eden is all about connecting with the natural world and we are investing hugely in play to encourage children of all ages and abilities to discover this connection in an exciting and unforgettable way.

“We know that being active outside in the fresh air is a brilliant way for children to develop mentally, physically and emotionally, stretching their imaginations and engaging with the world around them, all while having fun and creating rich memories.

“We can’t wait to welcome families and school groups to kick off what will be a fantastic summer of play.”

Entrance to Nature’s Playground will be included in the price of a ticket to the Eden Project, although booking a time slot is essential for children aged 16 and under.

Adults do not need to pre-book entry, but all children must be accompanied by an adult.

Guests need only to arrive within the hour time slot they have booked, and can stay for as long as they like.

Relaxed sessions, designed for those with autism, sensory or communication needs, will run on Wednesday, July 12 and Thursday, July 20, then every Sunday from July 30 until September 3.

Meanwhile, Alton Towers has brought back a popular ride that closed down years ago.

And a new “thrill” ride is being built at a UK theme park.

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