Helmingham, Suffolk
February 10, 2026
Helmingham, Suffolk
We are very pleased to announce the opening of a brand-new immersive adventure playground, Guildenacre, at the stunning Helmingham Hall and Gardens in Suffolk.
This summer, families visiting the estate will be able to explore an imaginative new woodland play destination designed and built by our in house team.
Woven into the existing woodland setting, Guildenacre is an immersive outdoor play experience inspired by the natural habitats and stories of the surrounding estate.
At the heart of the experience is a narrative-led journey, where children are invited to discover four special guardian animals who protect the forest with the help of the magical Whispering Oak Tree. Subtle references to Helmingham’s history and heritage are also hidden throughout the playground, including a flying Pegasus inspired by the family’s coat of arms, encouraging children to look closely and discover every corner of the site.
Designed for children of all ages, Guildenacre blends adventurous physical play with imaginative storytelling and simple learning opportunities, including themed activities and stamp stations that can be collected along a dedicated trail.
Each of the four play areas is themed around one of the guardian animals and their natural habitat, offering a varied and progressive play journey.
With distinctive badger-stripe detailing across the turret tops, Flint’s Hollow invites children to explore tunnels, burrows and two-storey lookout points. From the highest level, explorers can swoop back down to the forest floor via a covered, twisting slide.
Set high among the trees, the Canopy Keep can be reached by a timber walkway or rope ladder. A stargazing deck offers a dramatic elevated destination, while talking tubes allow children to send secret messages to fellow adventurers below.
The largest of the structures, the Elderglade provides a rich mix of physical challenges, including climbing walls, tunnels, ladders, multi-level walkways, bridges and a series of long, exciting slides.
Designed to encourage confident and exploratory play, the Ember Den includes a high adrenaline zip line, a separate zip line for younger explorers, racing slides, ground-level play trails and balance beams. This area is particularly well-suited to older children looking for higher levels of challenge.
All four play areas are connected by bark pathways designed to be suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs, ensuring the experience is accessible for a wide range of visitors. A dedicated den-building zone allows children to create their own hideouts and woodland shelters, extending imaginative and social play.
Refreshments and toilet facilities are located within the woodland itself, enabling families to spend longer enjoying the experience.
Carefully delivered within a sensitive woodland setting
The construction of Guildenacre has been carefully managed to minimise disruption to the estate’s woodland environment. Particular attention has been given to protecting existing habitats and ensuring that ancient trees remain undisturbed throughout the build.
Wherever possible, estate materials are being reused, and the overall design has been deliberately shaped around natural forms, textures and timber finishes to ensure the playground blends seamlessly into its surroundings and enhances visitors’ connection with nature.
A new destination within the wider Helmingham experience
Alongside the new adventure playground, Helmingham is creating refreshment and retail facilities within the Grade II listed Wades Barn, which will serve as the entry point for visitors preparing to embark on their Guildenacre adventure.
Guildenacre will become a major new attraction within the wider Helmingham offer, complementing the estate’s Grade I listed gardens, 400-acre deer park, independent shops and popular seasonal events.
Construction of the new adventure playground, including a dedicated visitor car park, will continue through early 2026, with Guildenacre scheduled to open to the public in summer 2026.
For further information, visit:
www.guildenacre.co.uk
