The Puzzle Forest

The Puzzle Forest at Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest in Kent is a motivational and adventurous piece of climbing play equipment designed for older children and adults, whilst being an aspirational piece for younger children. 

We wanted to create a new play structure for older children celebrated the Plant Hunter’s’ intrepid spirit and sense of adventure so we have named this space Puzzle Forest after the South American Chilean Pine or Monkey Puzzle Trees that grows at Bedgebury. Monkey Puzzle trees were so named as they seemed to be a puzzle to climb, requiring planning, strategy and skill to be successful.

Puzzle Forest is made from 4m high round robinia poles that have been debarked and sanded to create a smooth surface. Attached to the poles at a variety of heights off the ground are a large number of high and low level scramble nets, balance ropes, climbing holds and foot notches. There are many entry and exit points to this piece of play equipment and various ways of traversing which allows it to be used by a large number of children at the same time. Some routes are low level and some routes are high level presenting different levels of risk.

Inspirational words, questions and symbols are carved on to some of the poles to encourage and acknowledge the children as they navigate the Puzzle Trees landscape. Distances are also carved into some balance beams and tall poles to show the children how far they have traversed or climbed, adding to a sense of determination and achievement.