SPORTS & PLAY
WICKSTEED LEADS THE WAY IN INCLUSIVE PLAY DESIGN
than equipment and reach into the overall experience.
What Inclusive Play Really Means Inclusive play is often misunderstood as something focused only on physical mobility. In reality, it reflects the wider diversity of how children experience the world.
For more than a century, Wicksteed has believed that play should belong to every child. Our founder, Charles Wicksteed, expressed this vision clearly when he wrote:
“ The Playground should not be put in a corner behind railings, but in a conspicuous and beautiful part of a Park, free to all, where people can enjoy the play and charming scenery at the same time; where mothers can sit, while they are looking on and caring for their children.”
His belief that play should be open, welcoming, and accessible to every family continues to guide us today. Since 1918, we have been designing and manufacturing playgrounds in Britain, a legacy rooted in community, imagination, and the idea that play should be free to all. Long before inclusive design became a mainstream topic, it was already shaping how Wicksteed approached the spaces we build.
As conversations around accessibility and inclusion have evolved, Wicksteed has continued to lead the way, not only through products that meet physical access needs, but through environments that remove social and sensory barriers too. For us, inclusion isn’ t an added feature. It’ s a design philosophy that shapes every stage of consultation, design, and build.
Yet many playgrounds in the UK still unintentionally exclude children. Some lack step-free access. Others offer limited sensory variety. Some environments feel overwhelming, while others don’ t allow mixed ability play to happen naturally. These barriers remind us why inclusion must go deeper
Some children respond best to movement and climbing. Others need quieter areas to regulate. Many
rely on predictable spaces and gentle sensory input. Communication styles vary, learning needs differ, and confidence levels shift day to day.
Inclusive play embraces this range. It creates environments where children with different abilities, behaviours, and needs can play
side-by-side in ways that feel natural and enjoyable. It avoids creating“ special” or segregated areas and instead widens the range of play opportunities so more children can join in comfortably.
When we design for this diversity, we create spaces that feel welcoming to everyone.
Accessible vs Inclusive: Why the Distinction Matters While accessible and inclusive design work hand in hand, they are not the same.
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