Exploratree at Westonbirt, The National Arboretum

We won the Forestry England tender to reimagine the central ‘Exploratree’ play space aimed at a younger age group and those with additional needs. Our design creates a playful and imaginative environment where children become explorers, scavengers or plant hunters, venturing into the surrounding woodland and returning to a central base camp to explore their treasures.

The playground serves as a hub for adventure and discovery as is rooted in Forestry England’s play ethos; to encourage children to develop a curiosity, understanding and love of the natural environment through encouraging exploration, discovery and imaginative play. The theme encourages curiosity, exploration and a connection with nature, whilst also functioning as a standalone play destination within Westonbirt.

A young girl in a colorful yellow dress with floral patterns and a blue hat looks through a telescope at an outdoor setting, with an older woman in a green floral dress and white hat in the background.
Two young children wearing hats are crawling on a hammock made of netting, attached to wooden posts, in an outdoor playground with people and wooden structures in the background.
Child wearing a hat and shorts playing at a wooden outdoor sensory wall with various textured and interactive elements.
A young child wearing a floral dress and sun hat plays under a wooden play structure outdoors, reaching up to touch the wood panel with a carved oak tree and acorn.
Child standing outside near wooden 'Collectors Corner' display with pinecones, an apple, and small compartments.
A young girl in a pink dress sliding down a metal slide at a wooden playground surrounded by wood chips and green trees.
A young girl in a yellow dress with curly hair tied back, leaning her head on a wooden block on a picnic table outdoors, with wooden playground equipment and greenery in the background.

 The design prioritises inclusivity and accessibility, ensuring that children of all ages and abilities, as well as parents and carers, can fully engage with the space. Key features include centrally located, fully accessible play structures, two inclusive circulation routes (a smooth rubber mulch path and a DDA-compliant timber walkway) and sensory-rich elements throughout. The layout includes ample seating and quiet areas for rest or retreat further enhance the accessibility and comfort of the space.

Young boy walking outdoors on a gravel surface, wearing a tan hat, white t-shirt, light-colored shorts, and sandals, with trees and a wooden structure in the background.
A young girl with curly blonde hair, wearing a pink T-shirt, grey shorts, and patterned sneakers, is standing outdoors on wood chips, touching and examining a large wooden log with carved drawings on it.
A wooden shelf with a back panel featuring circular holes, set outdoors with people and trees in the background.
Wooden sign with the word 'EXPLORE' hanging from a wooden frame, set against a background of green trees.
An older woman with gray hair, wearing sunglasses and a yellow floral dress, is sitting on a wooden park bench, resting her chin on her hand, appearing thoughtful.
A woman and a young girl at a playground swing set, with the woman adjusting the swing and the girl holding onto the chains, both wearing summer hats.
Wooden playground with a treehouse, slide, and benches surrounded by greenery. Direction signs point to Gruffalo, Holford Hollow, Branch Out, Treetop Walk, and Coming Soon.

Detail 01. The Entrance

The entrance to the playground features a timber portal designed to resemble salvaged wood. The initial area is a transitional, accessible space with seating and a buggy park, centered around a 3m tall Finger Post sign that helps orient users and supports neurodivergent children by offering a pause point. Seating is thoughtfully placed for comfort, visibility and accessibility. Clear sight lines and accessible surfaces ensure inclusive access from the café and surrounding areas.

Woman and young girl observing a pinecone inside a wooden insect shelter on a wooden table outdoors.

Detail 02. Explorer’s Lab

The Explorer’s Lab is a fully accessible play area designed for EYFS children but suitable for all, encouraging imaginative play, role play and investigation. Featuring a boardwalk for wheelchair access, the space includes interactive work tables with magnifiers, rulers, chutes, and a pulley system to explore natural objects. Loose play elements like the pea gravel surfacing and scavenged items from the wider site promote sensory engagement and creativity. The design supports both collaborative and independent play styles and includes a quieter adjacent space, the Collector’s Corner, for reflective or low-stimulation play.

A child climbing a wooden play structure outdoors, wearing a sun hat, orange shirt, and shorts, with a clear blue sky and green trees in the background.

Detail 03. The Walkway

The walkway leads from the rubber mulch surface at the entrance to the Weather Station, providing an accessible route to the higher level elements. The walkway is linked to a second tower, which has a slide and adjacent climbing wall access (for varying abilities). Along with being an access route, the walkway is an interactive feature incorporating carvings and multiple playful connections across the space. Net sides ensure good sight lines and easy supervision.

Child wearing black t-shirt and shorts standing in front of a wooden interactive wall with various educational and sensory activities in an outdoor playground surrounded by trees.

Detail 04. The Weather Station

The Weather Station is a 4m tall, playful structure designed to resemble a handmade explorer's hideout built from scavenged natural materials. Positioned near the playground's center, it acts as a visual highlight to draw visitors in. Accessible via the non-slip walkway and rubber mulch surfacing, it features inclusive elements such as a wide slide, weather-themed sensory play tools and a speaking tube (linked to another one along the walkway). Westonbirt held a competition to design a weather vane to go onto top of the tower, which will be installed soon.

Two children, a girl in a pink dress and a boy in a black t-shirt, are balancing on large logs outdoors in a wooded area, smiling and enjoying playtime.

Detail 05. The Log Scramble

The back area of the playground features a large Log Scramble made from Westonbirt’s oak trunks, offering a sustainable and natural play experience. This open-ended feature supports a range of abilities and ages, encouraging climbing, balancing, crawling and imaginative play. Relief carvings of animals and insects found within woodlands can be discovered on some of the logs.

Two children, a girl and a boy, lying on a large hammock outdoors in a wooded area with trees and a wooden fence in the background.

Detail 06. The Hangout Net

Connected to the log scramble is a large hammock net for quiet observation or socialising. Whilst positioned within the wood chip area, it is close to the rubber mulch path to provide good accessibility. It is the perfect place to take a break from active play and look up into the tree canopy above.

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Young boy smiling and swinging on a tire swing outdoors in a wooded area.
A circular orange badge featuring a white silhouette of a bee with leaf patterns on its wings.