Your kids want excitement and adventure. They want to swing from ropes, climb monkey bars, become captains of ships, rule castles and take on challenges that an ordinary playground might not offer.
The best adventure playgrounds in the UK
Weston Park – The Forest Friends
This outdoor adventure playground has plenty for children to get stuck into, including swings, slides, cargo climbing nets, a climbing wall, ground-level trampolines, nest and log swings, plus a large sandpit with sand diggers.
At almost 40 metres long, the park also has one of the longest zip wires in England. Families can use the Forest Friends of Weston Park app to look for magical creatures around the grounds.
- Location: Weston-under-Lizard, Staffordshire, West Midlands, TF11 8LE
- Price: Under 4s free. Children aged 4 to 14: GBP 5.50. Adults: GBP 9.50.
Stanwick Lakes
Stanwick Lakes
has a wooden playground surrounded by a moat, where children can feel like rulers of their own kingdom. There is water play too, with streams, lakes and water wheels to explore.
The outdoor adventure trail includes rocks, rope bridges, balance beams, ropes and a zip wire.There is also an assault course with tunnels, tyres, cargo nets, ropes and monkey bars. Bring a change of clothes because this one can get messy.
- Location: Stanwick, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, NN9 6GY
- Price: Parking charges apply.
Markeaton Park – Mundy Play Centre
Markeaton Park offers an outdoor adventure playground for children of all ages. Younger visitors have their own area with swings and a slide, while older children can tackle larger swings, slides and a spider net.
Children can climb aboard the pirate ship, which is also suitable for disabled children. Beyond the playground, families can enjoy nine-hole mini golf, a paddling pool, bouncy castles and car tracks.
- Location: Markeaton Lane, Derbyshire, DE22 4NH
- Price: Free.
Play Bradford
Play Bradford provides sustainable play opportunities for children and young people. Its Big Swing gives children a chance to play together, while the playground also includes spider nets, a jumping tower, two in-ground trampolines and a 50-foot zip wire.
Several areas have been adapted to help children of all abilities join in. It is a brilliant option for active outdoor family fun, whatever the weather.
- Location: 452 Harrogate Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD10 0EU
- Price: Free.
The Web Adventure Park
The Web Adventure Park
gives families plenty to do indoors and outdoors. Children can explore adventure play areas, splash in the water play zone, meet animals in the petting area and enjoy the baby sensory zone.
There is even a fairground for children who love a little extra thrill.
- Location: Clifton Gate Business Park, North Yorkshire, YO32 2RH
- Price: Children aged 1 to 3 and children aged 4 to 15: GBP 6.50. Adults: GBP 5.50.
Bennets End Adventure Playground
Bennets End Adventure Playground has plenty to keep energetic children busy. Expect wooden climbing frames, a zip wire, table tennis, table football, a pool table and a skate park.
It is the sort of place families could visit more than once during the summer holidays.
- Location: Rant Meadow, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP3 8EQ
- Price: Free.
Hackney Adventure Playground
Hackney Adventure Playground prioritises children with specific needs and disabilities, while also welcoming young people from the local community. The site is designed to offer an exciting and supportive outdoor play experience.
Children can enjoy soft play, zip wires, sensory rooms, rope swings, climbing frames and treehouses. It is ideal for children who want either energetic adventure or a calmer sensory experience.
Other London adventure playgrounds include:
- Lady Allen Adventure Playground, Chivalry Road, London
- Chelsea Adventure Playground, Royal Hospital grounds, London
- Hayward Adventure Playground, Market Road, London
- Location: Spring Lane, London, E5 9HQ
- Price: Free.
Heartlands Cornish Heritage and Culture
Heartlands has an outdoor adventure playground inspired by Cornish folklore. Children can explore The Giant’s Trap, a custom-made wooden climbing structure with tunnels, a shipwrecked boat, funnel slides and a sandy beach area complete with diggers.
It is a great choice for little explorers who love imaginative outdoor play.
- Location: Pool, Redruth, Cornwall, TR15 3QY
- Price: Free.
Hever Castle
The Tudors Tower Adventure Playground at Hever Castle lets children become rulers of their own kingdom. The huge wooden castle is nine metres tall and has a moat, drawbridge and three turrets.
Young adventurers can escape down a fireman’s pole, climb the rope wall, explore tunnels and discover a secret dungeon.
- Location: Hever Castle and Gardens, Kent, TN8 7NG
- Price: Under 4s free. Children: GBP 9.95. Adults: GBP 15.85.
Castlewellan Forest Park and Peace Maze
Animal Wood at Castlewellan Forest Park is designed for children aged 4 to 11. The woodland play area includes a badger’s den, a red squirrel and a giant spider, giving children plenty of imaginative animal-themed adventures.
There is also a wooden tower, climbing wall, fireman’s pole, rope bridge and hollow tree-stump slide.
- Location: 6 to 8 Burren Walk, Castlewellan, County Down, Northern Ireland, BT31 9AF
- Price: GBP 5 per car.
The Land
The Land in Wrexham is an adventure playground with a difference. Built from reclaimed materials, it gives children the chance to build dens, climb trees, use tools, light fires and explore a more hands-on form of play in a managed environment.
It encourages children to take considered risks, cooperate with one another and create their own adventures. The playground was featured in the documentary The Land by Erin Davis.
- Location: The Opportunity Centre, Hampden Way, Acrefair, Wrexham, LL14 3US
- Price: Free.
Fort Douglas Adventure Park
Fort Douglas Adventure Park is packed with wooden structures, rope walls, zip wires, turreted treehouses, slides and a freestanding metal tunnel. It is built for children who want to run, climb, explore and burn off energy.
Families can spend hours making their way through the different play areas and creating outdoor memories.
- Location: Dalkeith Country Park, Dalkeith, Scotland, EH22 1ST
- Price: Ages 0 to 2 free. Ages 2 to 4: GBP 4.50. Ages 5 to 12: GBP 5.50. Adults aged 13 and over: GBP 2.
More family days out ideas
These are only a few of our favourite adventure playgrounds. Find even more family-friendly places to visit, including ideas for
rainy days, indoor water parks and outdoor inflatable water parks.
You can also save on family days out with a Days Out+ membership.