Worldwide
December 19, 2025
Worldwide
As 2025 draws to a close, we've been having a look back at some of our favorite projects throughout the year, and there have been some real highlights.
We’re fortunate to have received recognition for our work over the years, but the Adventure Play Fair at Thursford may be one of the projects we’re most proud of to date. It's a large and immersive, brightly colored traditional fun fair, reimagined as a fully playable environment. Even the Ferris Wheel and Helter Skelter allow you to get inside and clamber all the way to the top, before sliding out again. There's also a first of it’s kind in the UK splash pad that adds another layer of play, particularly in warmer months, while integrated lighting used throughout every structure means it's an all year round experience too. I know we built it, but we're big, big fans. Bold client with a big vision = top project.
Next came a significant milestone for us, in the completion of Haystack Hills at Lewis Adventure Farm, in New Era, Michigan - our first major project in North America. The two giant play solos were created to elevate their outdoor play experience and have been popular since the day they opened their doors in September this year. There's plenty more coming too.
The Dozing Duck at Center Parcs in Sherwood Forest was another first for us, a play space connected to a pub (what's not to like?) and built inside a former squash court. The end result is a welcoming and engaging family-friendly indoor play area that works at multi levels and has something of interest for a wide range of ages.
The Apple Harvest Play at Applewood Country Park was handed over, in time for the summer holidays. It was created to welcome a whole new generation of play and to allow guests to imagine themselves playing in the middle of a Norfolk apple harvest, with natural materials and familiar forms shaping the play space.
2025 saw the completion of Woodland Adventures at The Belfry Hotel and Resort, a first for us, building at one of the world’s best-known golf resorts. The play area draws on local wildlife, with the Belfry Barn Owl providing a key point of inspiration.
In the heart of Sherwood Forest lives Nottingham's most famous son - Robin Hood. No longer secret, Robin Hood’s Hideout is now a lively place full of children playing together. He'll probably be furious we've made it such a popular spot.
It may have been finished at the very end of last year, but as it missed the end of year round up last year and it was such a special project for all involved, we're adding it to this one! The play at Newhaven Fort was developed in conjunction with the overhaul of the museum experience, created within one of England's most picturesque Grade One listed forts, located on the Sussex Coastline. The play experience pays homage to the genius of the 22-year-old Anglo-Irish Lieutenant and military engineer, John Charles Ardagh, who designed the fort back in 1862.
The dream of playing alongside Gorillas may not be for everyone, but our play concept for Howlett’s draws inspiration from the dynamic world of young gorillas and offers an engaging environment of climbing, swinging, and balancing activities alongside sensory games. The theme came from Joshi - a 30-stone, 13-year-old male born at Howletts to parents Kijo and Shumbaa.
Alongside these projects, there were many other upgrades, additions, repairs and refurbishments throughout the year too.
There were also two significant moments for us as a team.
Firstly, we had the opportunity to travel to Lala Land to collect a THEA Award, recognizing excellence in the themed entertainment industry, for our project - Adventure Play at Windsor Great Park. Having our work recognized by industry peers, alongside projects of international scale, including the likes of The Sphere in Las Vegas and the 2024 opening ceremony for the Olympics in Paris, is a seriously defining moment for all of us.
Secondly, we were honored to announce that we had been awarded the Royal Warrant. While it reflects work we’ve carried out for the Royal Household, it also recognizes the ongoing focus on sustainability that underpins how we work.
We'll be sharing a lot more about that in the next year too as we're working towards greatly reducing our environmental impact as we create new places to play. It's been a year of learning and serious hard work - but all in the best sense.
As we head into 2026, we’re feeling positive, (relatively) well-rested and hope you are too.
Happy New Year
From the entire CAP.CO team
