Kensington Gardens playground plans £3M inclusivity upgrade

The Princess Diana Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens is set for a £3 million refurbishment aimed at enhancing accessibility and inclusivity. Since its opening in 2000, the playground, inspired by Peter Pan, has welcomed over a million visitors annually but is now in need of updates after 25 years of use. Key features of the renovation include a new wheelchair-friendly galleon, a multi-level tree house made from sustainably sourced timber, and improvements to the Mermaid Fountain area. The refurbishment plans also involve planting new trees for shade and biodiversity and ensuring the playground remains engaging for children of all abilities. The playground will close for approximately six months starting in autumn 2025, pending planning approval. The Royal Parks charity emphasized that the renovations will retain the spirit of the original playground while providing more physically challenging and inclusive play opportunities.