In the English Civil War, the future King Charles II famously avoided captivity by hiding inside an old oak tree. Inspired by this stranger-than-fiction tale, you can now find an all-weather playground, Hockerhill Adventure Playbarn, on the same land this took place on—complete with its own awe-inspiring mock Royal Oak tree to climb.
Just 45 minutes from Birmingham, Hockerhill Adventure Playbarn can be found just a stone’s throw away from Chillington Estate in Staffordshire (where King Charles II’s tale is said to have happened). Designed to “challenge, entertain and inspire” kids, it’s full of swings, slides, towers, bridges, walkways and tunnels to interact with.
At the heart of the Adventure Playbarn sits the mock Royal Oak tree, but elsewhere, there are pedal go-karts, a climbing wall, a racing zipline, ‘sensory dens’, see-saws, pulleys, and just endless fun to be had. Meanwhile, the grown-ups can relax in the cafe area—tucking into artisanal sourdough pizzas or wines, beers and coffees.
What is Hockerhill Adventure Playbarn?
Hockerhill Adventure Playbarn is the project of the Giffard family. Tessa has a background in child psychology and catering, while Charlie manages the estate to preserve its history and beauty. Between them, they have built a playground made from sustainably sourced wood and designed for “active learning”.
What’s new?
A dedicated outdoor sensory space for toddlers is currently being built at Hockerhill Adventure Playbarn, with a sail canopy providing shade and protection from the sun. Work is expected to be completed in time for the summer holidays.
What else does Hockerhill Adventure Playbarn offer?
Got a birthday coming up? Hockerhill hosts lots of party packages, from a birthday banquet to tipi rentals and even hiring out the entire play barn. Meanwhile, those who are interested in SEN Sessions should visit on the first Thursday of each month (3pm to 5.30pm) for quieter playtimes.
You can learn more about Hockerhill Adventure Playbarn here.
