Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground

An Adventure Playground Inspired by Stories of Peter Pan:

Diana Memorial Playground © Travel Signposts..

Our walks through Kensington Gardens brought us to the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground which is dedicated to the memory of Princess Diana.  Princess Di was known for her love of children and this memorial playground, which opened in June 2000, is a permanent recognition of her love of kids.

Close to the Bayswater Road end of Kensington Gardens, the memorial playground is located near Kensington Palace, the former home of Princess Diana.

The Diana Memorial Playground was designed to create an area where children, both able and those with special needs can play safely. Apart from physical activity, the adventure playground is intended to encourage creative, social and educational development.

The playground design was inspired by stories of Peter Pan, the boy who didn’t want to grow up. Its centrepiece is a 50 ft. wooden pirate ship on a beach cove which allows children to play out their pirate fantasies. Other features include a tree-house with walkways and ramps, tee pees a mermaid’s fountain, a half-submerged crocodile, slides, swings and more.  The playground is very popular with Londoners and visitors and each year about 750,000 children come to enjoy this central London playground.

The Diana Memorial Playground is manned by staff at all times during opening hours. For safety reasons, entry is only permitted to children 12 and under who are accompanied by an adult. Unaccompanied children will not be admitted. Visitors without children can view the playground between 09:30 – 10:00 a.m. seven days a week. The notice at the Playground entrance also lists restrictions on smoking, alcohol, glass bottles, etc. within the playground.

For food and drinks, the Diana Playground Café is an open air café with outside seating near the playground entrance. Here you are able to buy snacks like fresh salads, sandwiches or simple hot meals such as jacket potatoes and pizza as well as hot and cold drinks. There are plenty of toilets nearby in the toilet building.

And while at the Diana Memorial Playground, visitors can also check out the 900 year-old Elfin Oak stump and all its carvings.

Opening Times:

Apr & Sep : 10.00 – 18.45
May – Aug : 10.00 – 19.45
Mar & Early Oct : 10.00 – 17.45
Feb & Late Oct : 10.00 – 16.45
Nov – Jan : 10.00 – 15.45

Closed on 25 December (Christmas Day)

Kensington Gardens Map:

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