Natural Playgrounds
Beautifully Made For Real Play.
We’re TouchWood.
We Design, Manufacture, Install & Maintain Wooden Playground Equipment
Natural Playgrounds Designed for Real Play
At TouchWood Play, we design natural playgrounds that inspire movement, imagination and a closer connection with the world outdoors. We combine creative design, skilled craftsmanship and durable timber to create spaces where children can climb, balance and explore through outdoor play.
Whether you need a compact play space or a larger adventure area, our play equipment can suit a wide range of settings. Each installation uses high-quality timber and blends with the natural environment to create a wooden playground that feels welcoming, safe and exciting.
Bespoke Natural Playground Equipment for Every Setting
Every project is unique, so we design bespoke playgrounds around your space, users and goals.
Our experienced team works with clients to create sustainable, nature inspired playgrounds that encourage children of all ages to interact with nature. From a simple climbing frame to larger nature play areas, we create long-lasting structures that keep children playing, moving and discovering.
Many designs include balance beams, climbing features and tactile surfaces to create sensory-rich play environments. These details invite children to explore, move with confidence and enjoy meaningful outdoor experiences.
PLAY ON
Here at TouchWood, we design, manufacture, install and maintain bespoke natural playgrounds, from single primary school towers to world-class leisure installations – that amaze, engage and excite.
Trusted UK Natural Playgrounds Built with Sustainability in Mind
Our team manages every stage of your project, from the first idea through to final installation. We work closely with each client to create bespoke playgrounds that feel safe, engaging and built around real play.
Whether you need one climbing frame, a set of balance beams or a full natural playground installation, we can help turn your ideas into a practical design.
We manufacture our wooden playgrounds in the UK using responsibly sourced materials. This helps us create reliable, sustainable playground equipment while keeping the natural look and feel that shapes our play spaces.
From small school projects to large destination playgrounds, we design every structure to suit its setting and help children connect with the natural world through play.
TouchWood has been absolutely brilliant to work with. They understood us from the get-go and we couldn't be happier with what they have delivered us.
Darren Hoare Head of Programme Delivery
The children are loving the new equipment and the outdoor classroom has already been used in so many different ways.
We are so very grateful.
Kevin Hawkins Headteacher, Hannah More Primary School
Spending just a few minutes with the TouchWood team enables you to feel their passion on what they are designing and creating.
Steve Atkins RIBA RIAI Director, LYONS+SLEEMAN+HOARE, Architects
Touchwood have created something special to help children learn through active play. William's Den inspires and challenges children with a natural play experience, giving them freedom and space to play inside and out, whatever the weather. It's the stuff our childhood memories are made from.
Tor Carver Co-Founder, William's Den
Come and look around some of our bespoke playgrounds
Diversification to drive visitor numbers - Harewood House DISCOVER MORE
Crafting immersive water play to draw visitors - WWT Martin Mere DISCOVER MORE
Towering Play and Woodland Thrills on the Isle of Wight DISCOVER MORE
Frequently asked questions
TouchWood Play works with a wide range of clients across commercial and residential settings. We design and install natural playground equipment for visitor attractions, historic houses, schools, town and parish councils, shopping centres, developers and private landowners.
Our team creates natural playgrounds that suit different environments, from public parks to private developments and educational spaces.
TouchWood Play was established in 2002 at the Bower Ashton Woodyard in Bristol. The company began by designing and building wooden playgrounds for local schools.
Today, more than twenty years later, we remain based in the same woodyard and have delivered over 500 projects across the UK and internationally, creating high-quality natural playgrounds for a wide range of organisations.
We prioritise durability and sustainability in every design. Our natural playground equipment is primarily built using locally sourced hardwoods such as robinia, larch, chestnut and oak.
These materials are chosen for their strength and natural resistance to wear, making them ideal for long-lasting, sustainable playground equipment.
To enhance the play experience, we also use natural surfacing materials such as sand, bark and pea gravel. Glacial boulders sourced from local quarries are often incorporated to create sensory-rich and engaging nature play areas.
Yes. TouchWood Play provides a complete service from concept to installation. We design, manufacture and install natural playground equipment as part of a turnkey process.
We also offer maintenance packages that include annual play safety inspections and ongoing care to ensure your natural playground remains safe, durable and enjoyable for years to come.
Wooden playgrounds offer a balance of durability, sustainability and natural beauty. Timber structures blend easily into outdoor environments and create inviting play spaces that connect children with the natural world.
Wood is renewable and environmentally responsible when sourced correctly, making it a strong choice for sustainable playground equipment. It also stays cooler than metal in sunlight and naturally absorbs sound, helping create calmer play environments.
The tactile qualities of timber also support sensory-rich play experiences that encourage exploration and development.
TouchWood Play focuses on designing natural playgrounds with genuine play value. Rather than simply installing structures, we create engaging play environments that encourage exploration, creativity and social interaction.
By combining natural materials with thoughtful design, we produce bespoke playgrounds that support physical activity while helping children connect with the natural world.
Yes. TouchWood Play works with organisations across the UK, Europe and internationally to design and deliver natural playground equipment.
You can explore examples of previous natural playgrounds on our case studies page.
Yes. Our team can design and install wooden playgrounds in both indoor and outdoor environments.
We have delivered projects in barns, shopping centres, schools and visitor attractions, creating engaging nature play areas that bring elements of the outdoors inside.
Planning permission for natural playgrounds depends on the size, location and local planning regulations. Smaller installations in existing recreation areas may not require approval, while larger or more complex projects often do.
TouchWood Play works closely with clients and local authorities to determine planning requirements and support the application process where needed.
The cost of bespoke playgrounds varies depending on the size of the space, design complexity and surfacing requirements.
Most full projects for natural playground equipment start from around £50,000. For smaller budgets, equipment can sometimes be supplied on an ex works basis, allowing clients to arrange installation independently.
Our team works closely with clients to create natural playgrounds that match both the vision and the available budget.
