Situated on a 550-acre estate in Staffordshire, Alton Towers is the UK’s largest theme park. It is home to a fantastic variety of attractions and themed accommodation- including the accessible Blue Butterfly Lodges.
The installation of these lodges marked a significant step towards embedding inclusivity within the resort. To further build on this commitment, Merlin Entertainments approached Playdale to create an inclusive playground where every guest could feel welcome and join in the fun.
Merlin Entertainments recognised a growing demand for accessible play areas among their guests. This need inspired the idea of installing a brand-new inclusive playground directly in front of the Blue Butterfly Lodges. As a result, it enhanced an already welcoming and inclusive space for visitors with additional needs.
Incorporating several of the six senses of inclusive play, the playground offers a rich, multi-sensory experience. Encouraging both proprioceptive and vestibular development.
To bring this to life, the space features a Gravity Bowl, which allows seamless transfers; a Gravity Rider, featuring a supportive high back; and our best-selling Inclusive Orbit roundabout, designed for easy wheelchair access and shared fun for everyone.
Every detail of the playground was carefully crafted to stay true to the look and feel of the lodges. Working closely with the client, Playdale’s design team drew inspiration from the blue butterfly theme, integrating our Tactile Butterfly Play Panel into the design.
In addition, to complement the tactile panels, we added a range of accessible Play Panels. These include our Noughts and Crosses Panel to support critical thinking and touch, as well as a Communication Board Panel to encourage social interaction. To further enhance the playground’s sensory features we added a Sensory Look Through Panel, providing visual stimulation by altering the perception of colours in the surrounding environment.
Finally, to ensure every child could join the fun, the designers chose Bonded Rubber Mulch as the safety surfacing across the entire play area. Its ramped finish minimises trip hazards and makes it easy for wheelchair users to manoeuvre, creating a truly inclusive and accessible space for all.
Completed just in time for the summer holidays, this exciting new addition has been well-loved by guests. Throughout the season, families staying in the Enchanted Village have enjoyed an inclusive outdoor play space designed for everyone to join in the fun.
This installation has not only successfully integrated inclusive play but has also enhanced the overall guest experience at Alton Towers. Through thoughtful design and durable, high-quality playground equipment that complements the Blue Butterfly Lodges, this project stands out. It showcases the creativity and care that defines every Playdale project.
It’s important to us at Playdale that we design playgrounds for everyone. Get in touch today and explore the possibilities an inclusive playground has to offer.
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