An oversized king’ s throne represents Edward VI, while a striking cluster of angled, crimsonstained timber stakes pays homage to Mary I.
• Elizabethan Exploration: The timeline culminates in the era of maritime exploration with a bespoke timber play vessel. Complete with rigging, climbing nets, and stainless-steel slides, the ship is embedded amidst rolling landforms and tall grasses, inviting children to navigate“ oceans of vegetation and earthen waves”.
Topography, Universal Accessibility, and Tactile Materiality Rather than imposing rigid architectural boundaries or separate, isolated accessible equipment, the design utilizes subtle landform manipulation to achieve universal design principles. Gently sloping earthen embankments lead directly to the crest of the main play mounds, allowing children with limited mobility or wheelchair users to seamlessly reach elevated play nodes alongside their peers. Custom extrawide slide profiles were specified so parents and carers can accompany children requiring additional physical support. Sited carefully within an informal arboretum, the material palette favors longevity, raw organic textures, and visual integration. Unfinished Robinia timbers, natural stone, bound gravel pathways, and earth-toned safety surfacing allows the structures to read as natural extensions of the existing woodland canopy. A stepped turf‘ Globe’ amphitheatre and acoustic sensory zones— featuring outdoor musical instruments and chime cascades nestled near the tree line— provide quiet moments of performance and sensory rest.
Heritage and Ecological Stewardship Operating within a designated historic site presented complex planning and archaeological constraints. To demonstrate that the elevated play mounds and play towers would not disrupt key visual sightlines or diminish the registered historic setting, epd Landscape produced detailed sightline crosssections to satisfy the Local Planning Authority( LPA).
During construction, service trenches required for a new onsite catering facility(‘ The Play Shed’) were executed under a strict archaeological watching brief agreed upon with the LPA archaeologist. Hand-digging and low-impact excavation techniques were rigorously employed around root protection zones and sensitive ground layers to ensure zero net disturbance to the heritage landscape. By harmonizing heritage preservation with high-capacity play, the project successfully revives a deteriorating landscape into a resilient, living space that reconnects visitors with the story of Rufford Abbey.
SPORTS & PLAY
Project Information
Project Name: Rufford Abbey Natural Playground
Location: Rufford Abbey Country Park, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom
Project Type: Destination Natural Play / Historic Parkland
Landscape Architect: epd Landscape Contractor: Glendale Countryside Ltd Specialist Craftsmen & Suppliers:
Rockworks: Simulated sandstone ruin walls, concrete bouldering, play catacombs & subterranean tunnel portals
Jupiter Play: Bespoke timber play structures & zip line
Client: Rufford Abbey Country Park
Completion: Phase I: 2017( 3 months build time)
Project Status: Phase I Completed Project Budget: £ 380,000
Project Flythrough by Jupiter: www. youtube. com / watch? v = EIQNakyfnKI
Follow us @ ludmagazine www. landud. co. uk 93