With a large, wooded private garden and plenty of natural space to work with, this family wanted a substantial play area that would give their children plenty to explore without compromising the character of the garden.

The brief was to create an exciting, challenging play environment that felt like a natural part of the landscape rather than a brightly coloured play area imposed upon it. Timber, natural forms and a carefully considered layout were therefore central to the design.

The finished configuration is a large-scale adventure play area built around a triple tower formation, with a central pyramid frame providing the focal point.

Two 4.5m-long V-log bridges extend from the pyramid to a pair of Super Play Forts, creating an impressive elevated route through the play area. A monkey bar ladder extends from the rear of the pyramid. As well as adding another physical challenge, this helps to balance the overall structure visually and makes use of the space around the central frame.

The two Super Play Forts provide a huge variety of ways to climb, cross, slide and move through the structure. Access and exit points include:

• Stainless steel pipe slide
• Stainless steel spiral slide
• Fireman’s pole
• Tumble bar
• Timber jungle log ladder ramp
• Pull-rope access
• Climbing rock wall
• Long green plastic slide

Underneath each fort, base dens create quieter, more enclosed spaces for imaginative play, giving children somewhere to retreat to, create their own games or simply take a break from the more active elements above.

For this project, it was important that the play equipment complemented the existing garden rather than dominated it.

The substantial timber construction works naturally alongside the surrounding woodland, while the configuration has been carefully arranged to make the most of the available space. The natural timber, log bridges and pyramid structure give the installation an adventurous, almost woodland-play feel, while the variety of access points ensures there is something different to discover each time children use it.

The result is much more than a collection of individual pieces of play equipment. It is a large-scale adventure playground designed specifically for its setting, giving the children a space to climb, balance, swing, slide, explore and create their own adventures, while allowing the garden’s natural character to remain at the heart of the design.

With multiple levels, challenging climbing routes, enclosed dens and a wide range of slides and access points, the configuration offers opportunities for children of different ages and abilities to play alongside one another.

From the lower dens and climbing elements to the high-level bridges and towers, there are plenty of ways to use the equipment, encouraging active outdoor play and imaginative adventures for years to come.