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Nature-inspired play areas open at arboretum

Johnny Hathaway A young boy wearing blue shorts and a white t-shirt doing a splits jump with his arms out, above several large tree stumps in the middle of the forest. There is another young boy to the right clapping his hands together and watchingJohnny Hathaway
The playgrounds are made using timber from the surrounding arboretum

An arboretum has built two new play areas to help children "connect with nature".

The "natural playgrounds" at the Westonbirt Arboretum, near Tetbury in Gloucestershire, include walkways, tree nets, rope bridges and climbing frames.

The project is a partnership between the Forestry England and The Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum, funded by the charity's members and donors.

CEO of Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum Emma Griffiths said: "This equipment really helps to generate creative thinking and get children, of all abilities, out playing."

Wooden play area with rounded tree stumps, cross-etched logs and bark chippings all over the ground
The zones include walkways, tree nets, rope bridges, climbing frames and balance beams

Designed by Earth Wrights, the play zones are "fully accessible with wheelchair ramps" and have quiet observation points for children on the autistic spectrum.

According to Earth Wrights, the play area's natural materials and shapes stimulates a child's imagination and unleashes their innate play instinct by connecting them to their "primal roots early on".

Emma Griffiths wearing a black polo shirt and a red fleece zip up jacket. She has short brown hair and a name tag on. In the background there are trees, bark chipping paths and wooden climbing frames
Ms Griffiths says Westonbirt is committed to offering an "engaging experience" to visitors

"That connection then carries on throughout life," added Ms Griffiths.

"We find a lot of our members came here as a child, come back as an adult and bring their own children.

"A lot of children don't get the opportunity to roll around in the mud, and play with sticks, and make up their own imaginary games."

Sophie Nash from Forestry England wearing a green and black raincoat and yellow jumper. She has shoulder length wavy hair and is smiling at the camera. In the background there are trees, bark chipping paths and wooden climbing frames
Forestry England Sophie Nash says the play zones are "all about getting children out in nature"

Programme manager from Forestry England Sophie Nash said the play areas are placed strategically to be integrated with the whole family experience.

"It's here for families to discover as they go on a walk around, rather than as a separate play space," she said.

Westonbirt Arboretum has more than 15,000 trees and shrubs from around the world.

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