Playground in memory of Princess Diana to get £3 million refurbishment
Kensington & Chelsea council has approved planning permission for a £3 million refurbishment for a playground built in memory of Princess Diana. Opened in 2000, the playground sees over a million children visiting every year, making it one of London’s most popular play areas.
Plans were approved on 8th May after a public consultation which ended in April 2025. The makeover will be funded by the Royal Parks charity with a combination of private and public donations.
“Working with play specialist providers, our own landscape teams, and the local community we have developed proposals that will continue to make this playground an experience like no other,” Andy Williams, park manager for Kensington Gardens said. “The planned accessibility improvements will mean that the playground is open and welcoming to all children.”
As part of the £3 million upgrade, a Peter-Pan themed area will receive a pirate ship upgrade and a multiple-level tree house. The current galleon ship at the playground will be replaced by an all-new galleon, with the addition of a crow’s nest, ship’s wheel, and telescope. It will be built over three levels, be wheelchair accessible, and be completed after around six months.
The Royal Parks charity, responsible for playground has said that the approved plans will “retain the characteristics of the existing Peter Pan-inspired playground.” The charity has previously said that it would “provide more accessible and inclusive play, as well as challenging physical play, so that children of all abilities can enjoy creative and imaginative play together.”
Along with a more accessible galleon ship, the tree house will be given a suspension bridge and the Mermaid Fountain will be redesigned, with the water and sandy play area being expanded.
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