Diana memorial playground in west London to reopen with new wooden ship
The £3 million revamp includes a redesigned galleon, treehouse, and other new features
Last updated 14th Jan 2026
The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground in west London is undergoing a £3 million redevelopment and is scheduled to reopen in the summer of 2026.
At the heart of the redesign is a new "full-scale" wooden ship built in the Bavarian Alps, which has been designed to spark children’s imaginations. According to the Royal Parks, the galleon will include features such as a tunnel slide, two crow’s nests, and a ramped entrance for improved accessibility.
The Kensington Gardens playground, which attracts around one million visitors annually and is described as the UK's most visited playground, was closed for refurbishment in autumn 2025.
The revamped space will also feature a treehouse, a redesigned water play area, and a dedicated zone for children under three years old.
Designed with sustainability and imagination
Timberplay, alongside its German partners Richter Spielgerate, created the new galleon using mountain larch wood from sustainably managed forests in the Bavarian Alps. The timber is naturally rot-resistant due to the slow growth caused by the region’s harsh climate, meaning chemical treatments are unnecessary.
Paul Collings, managing director at Timberplay, said: "This new galleon and treehouse will reinforce the space as a benchmark for public play, delighting millions of children for years to come."
Peter Heuken, who led the design and also contributed to the original playground’s galleon in 2000, said: "If equipment is not just rotting away, but it is run through and worn out by children, then this is the biggest compliment one can get."
Royal Parks staff have inspected the newly built galleon in Germany ahead of its journey to London.
Park manager Andy Williams said the playground’s redesign remained "in the spirit of Princess Diana" and aimed to provide children with a place to play and explore freely.