Fantastic new Castle Grounds play area is now open

Work to create a fantastic new £375,000 adventure playground in the heart of Tamworth’s Castle Grounds is now complete and welcoming children to explore and play.

The new playground, which is free to use, has now been revealed and fully open, which includes equipment for youngsters aged three to 14.

Children are able to play the day away on a huge variety of swings, slides, seesaws, towers, roundabouts, climbing frames, climbing walls, monkey bars, trim trails, action spinners, buddy board, tee pees and loads more.

The play area also has a much bigger focus on inclusivity with many elements that can be enjoyed by children of all abilities. This includes a wheelchair accessible roundabout, supported swing seats, wheelchair access ramps and a variety of sensory play boards, including human-powered kinetic energy play panels.

In keeping with the castle theme to tie in with our historic Tamworth Castle which overlooks the play park, the new equipment includes bespoke castle-themed structures at the centre, complete with turrets. Visitors are welcomed to the park through a castle gate design.

The Castle Grounds play area has been visited by excited families from Wednesday, August 25. Parents and grandparents have enjoyed the new facilities and commented: “It is exciting to see there is more on offer than the previous playground.”

A grandmother described the park as: “This is more accessible for children of all ages and abilities. It is great to have this so close to where we live, my grandkids have given it a 10/10!”

And another parent said “We can’t wait to return over the bank holiday weekend with friends and a picnic. It’s lovely as the play area is free to use and very well-spaced so you can easily watch your children playing.”

Cllr Robert Pritchard, Deputy Leader of Tamworth Borough Council, said: “The old playground was a much-loved and iconic play area, which created happy memories for many thousands of children.

“We know how much families have been looking forward to the opening of this brand-new play area, and we are delighted to now fully open the playground ready for the Bank Holiday weekend.

“The new design has something to offer all children, including those with additional needs or disabilities. We also wanted to make as much use of the space as possible and the new layout packs in loads of swings, slides, climbing frames and other multi-use equipment, so more children can enjoy the park at one time.

“There is so much for people to enjoy in the Castle Grounds with the brand new Battle and Tribute exhibition in Tamworth Castle, the new outdoor gym, table tennis tables, new benches and picnic tables, the Pavillion Café, Castle Kiosk, playground and don’t forget a busy upcoming events programme including We Love Tamworth and the Saxon Weekender events. The grounds really is a great day out for Tamworth residents and people from a wider area.”

To see the full outdoor events programme for this summer, please visit www.tamworthartsandevents.co.uk. Tickets for Tamworth Castle can be booked at www.tamworthcastle.co.uk.