A new wooden play area has been unveiled at the National Trust's Wimpole Estate in Arrington.

The play area aims to give younger visitors to the mansion, parkland, gardens and farm the opportunity to explore and play in a safe and stimulating way.

Royston Crow: The new toddler scramble climber at Wimpole Estate's new playgroundThe new toddler scramble climber at Wimpole Estate's new playground (Image: Elliot Neale)

Designed and crafted with an emphasis on fun and sustainability, the new play area features large climbing frames, an adventure trail and accessible swings made of natural materials, surrounded by hardwood chip safety surfacing.

The new equipment was installed by Playsafe Playgrounds, and is in place alongside the existing small farm play items along with picnic benches for families and friends to enjoy refreshments from the nearby Farm Café.

Royston Crow: Climbing on the new farm play equipmentClimbing on the new farm play equipment (Image: Elliot Neale)

Project manager and head gardener at Wimpole Estate, Tom Fradd, said:  "I was absolutely thrilled to be able to play my part in bringing this new playground to the estate.

"We have been determined to upgrade our offer for families ever since the loss of our adventure playground during the pandemic and with the farm already being so popular with our younger audiences, investing in improving the play area there was the natural next step."

Royston Crow: The playground features a toddler swing and one for children with disabilitiesThe playground features a toddler swing and one for children with disabilities (Image: Elliot Neale)

The new playground joins a host of other family-friendly activities on offer at Wimpole, including seasonal trails which encourage exploration in nature, getting to know the animals at Home Farm and learning about sustainable farming practices.

The play area is now open, and is available at no extra cost when purchasing a ticket for the whole estate, or is free for National Trust members.

Royston Crow: Trying out the new slide at Wimpole EstateTrying out the new slide at Wimpole Estate (Image: Elliot Neale)

Wimpole Estate has been lived and farmed on for more than 2,000 years, from Iron Age roundhouses to the present-day mansion.

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The mansion at the heart of the estate was the vision of Rudyard Kipling's daughter, Elsie Bambridge, and had been an 'empty shell' until she filled it with pictures and furniture in the 1930s, transforming it back into a welcoming home.

Royston Crow: The new junior scramble climber with slideThe new junior scramble climber with slide (Image: Elliot Neale)

The house and gardens are set within 600 acres of landscaped parkland, while Home Farm - one of the UK's largest rare breed centres - cares for and breeds cattle, sheep, pigs and Shire horses.