Studio Hardie were engaged from concept design through to manufacture and install of the play offer at Belsay.
The theme for the play area is Tame to Wild, strongly influenced by the history of the site, its features and the people who lived there. The design incorporates and immerses the equipment into the landscape, constantly blurring the boundaries of tame and wild, man-made and natural. Play elements are constructed from natural materials and emulate natural forms; the trees and topology are intertwined with the equipment. The designs seek to harness the surroundings and incorporate the varying levels, adding play value to the journey through the woods as well as the equipment.
The resulting scheme is an original and exciting evolution of how play, landscape, interpretation, and heritage can be fused together, creating a cohesive whole. With the target for increasing visitor numbers, we believe that Belsay Awakes will establish itself as a landmark for play. Offering a full day, memorable experience and enough scope and depth for repeat visitors. A non-gratuitous, innovative provision, authentic in content and carefully balanced between an attractive visitor offer and sensitivity to the history, ecology, and landscape.
The most dramatic feature of the play is a cluster of 7m tall woodland pods, which allow visitors to climb up into the canopies of the trees. The structures feature accessible slides and wobbly bridges as well as extensive net walkways and spiral slide.
