Summer of fun on the menu

Theatre, music and some innovative new features are helping to breathe new life into the play area at a stately home on the Shropshire/Staffordshire border.

The much-loved Woodland Adventure Playground at Weston Park has seen some exciting new features arrive this summer, in the first phase of a three-year development.

Five new pieces of interactive equipment aimed at younger children have been installed including the Little Beavers Stream, the Theatre and Music Cottage, a butterfly seesaw and two eco spinners.

Jennifer Astbury, head of estate operations, said: “The first pieces of equipment installed in this upgrade are designed to encourage children in the early years stage to explore, interact and discover more about their surroundings.

“It’s very important to us that everything we do is as environmentally-friendly as possible, so every effort has been made to make these pieces sustainable and inclusive so all children can enjoy the playground.

“It’s the perfect place to bring your youngsters to let off some excess energy while exploring and learning about the world around them.”

Children exploring the Theatre and Music Cottage can play the drums and xylophone, discover the interactive desk and practise their climbing skills to get over and through the cottage.

The Little Beavers Stream is an activity-packed ground level play area which offers the richness of home-themed play that toddlers love, while being accessible for children who might not be able to use conventional play equipment.

The butterfly seesaw takes classic seesawing to new heights – and thanks to a clever spring design, it works even when the number of children is unequal or even when only one child wants to play.

Finally, two new eco spinners made out of recycled ocean waste will provide hours of entertainment for children visiting the site.

The new additions to the Woodland Adventure Playground are open now.

The park and gardens at Weston Park, just off the A5 at Weston-under-Lizard, are open daily for the summer season until Sunday September 25.

They are open from 10:30am to 6pm, with last entry at 4:30pm, with admission £9.50 for adults and children £5.50. A Weston Park Membership gives unlimited access to the house, park and gardens for the season, and is just £85 for a family of two adults and up to three children – endless fun over the school holidays and beyond, and the membership pays for itself within four visits.

The house is open on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday afternoons from 1pm to 4:30pm with last admission at 4pm.