A Magical New Woodland Playground Is Coming to Suffolk This Summer

Families planning summer days out in Suffolk will soon have an exciting new destination to add to their list, as Helmingham Estate prepares to open an imaginative woodland adventure playground designed to bring children closer to nature.

Set within four acres of established woodland, the new attraction, named Guildenacre, promises an immersive outdoor play experience inspired by wildlife, storytelling and exploration. The playground has been created by internationally recognised designers CAP.CO, specialists in crafting adventurous play environments that blend seamlessly into their surroundings.

Rather than a traditional playground, Guildenacre has been designed as a living storybook. Children are invited to step into a magical forest watched over by four guardian animals, each representing a different habitat and style of play. Throughout the woodland, subtle storytelling elements encourage young visitors to imagine, explore and discover as they move between areas.

Edward Tollemache, custodian of Helmingham Estate and co-founder of Guildenacre alongside his wife Sophie, describes the project as an extension of the estate’s long connection with nature.

He explained that the playground has been carefully planned to offer challenge, discovery and curiosity for visitors of all ages. Inspired by the estate’s landscapes and native wildlife, the design also includes references to the Tollemache family heritage, including a flying Pegasus motif hidden throughout the experience.

Four Worlds to Explore

Each section of Guildenacre centres around one of the woodland guardians.

The first area visitors encounter is Flint’s Hollow, home to Flint the Badger. Marked by distinctive striped turrets, this zone focuses on underground adventure, featuring tunnels, burrows and lookout points spread across two levels. Children can climb to the highest point before returning to ground level via a winding enclosed slide.

High among the trees lies Eira the Owl’s Canopy Keep. Wooden walkways and rope climbs lead to a stargazing deck where young explorers can survey the woodland or communicate through talking tubes hidden within the structure.

The largest play structure is the Elderglade, protected by Atlas the Stag. Here, children will find climbing walls, bridges, ladders and interconnected walkways designed to encourage movement, confidence and cooperative play. Several large slides add an extra element of excitement.

The fourth area, known as the Ember Den and watched over by Vex the Vixen, introduces faster paced play. Featuring a zip line, racing slide, balance trails and ground level activities, this section caters particularly well to older children seeking more adventurous challenges, while still remaining accessible to younger visitors.

Designed for Exploration and Inclusion

Accessibility has been a key consideration throughout the design. Bark pathways will connect all four zones, making the woodland navigable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. A dedicated den building area will allow children to create their own hideouts using natural materials, encouraging imaginative and unstructured play.

Facilities including refreshments and toilets will be located within the woodland itself, allowing families to remain immersed in the outdoor setting throughout their visit.

Celia Deeley, estates director at Helmingham, said construction has been carefully managed to protect the surrounding environment. The project aims to minimise disruption to wildlife habitats and safeguard the estate’s ancient trees, while materials sourced from the estate itself have been used wherever possible.

The wood themed design has been intentionally chosen to blend into the landscape, ensuring the playground feels like a natural extension of the forest rather than an addition imposed upon it.

A New Chapter for Helmingham Estate

Guildenacre will be accessed through Wades Barn, a Grade II listed building that is being sensitively adapted to provide modest retail and refreshment facilities for visitors preparing to enter the woodland experience.

The new playground builds on Helmingham Estate’s reputation as a family friendly destination. Alongside Guildenacre, visitors can explore the estate’s Grade I listed gardens, extensive deer park, independent shops and programme of seasonal events.

Edward Tollemache believes the addition will enhance the experience of a day out at Helmingham, offering families another way to engage with the estate’s landscape while encouraging children to play, learn and connect with nature.

Construction is continuing through early 2026, with Guildenacre scheduled to open in time for the summer season.

For further information, visit www.guildenacre.co.uk.