A new retail play space inspired by history - Kildare

A unique wooden play tower with natural log features, slides, and bridges installed outside a shopping centre

Following our successful playground build at the famous Bicester Village in Oxfordshire, we were recommissioned by Value Retail to create another play space at their site in Kildare, Ireland.

Kildare, meaning “Church of Oak”, became our muse. To honour this name, we crafted much of the space from sustainably sourced British Oak, blending local heritage with an immersive play experience for all ages. The design was inspired by the Irish Round Towers and Grey Abbey ruins.

 

A unique wooden play tower with natural log features, slides, and bridges installed outside a shopping centre
A unique wooden play tower with natural log features, slides, and bridges installed outside a shopping centre

A towering playground adventure

An inviting wooden play tower with textured panels, bridges, and a climbing pole—perfect for adventurous, open-ended play.

From the moment children step into the space, they’re greeted by hand-crafted entrance features, a natural blend of plants and bespoke benches that link to the historical narrative of the wolfhound legend Fionn Mac Cumhaill.

Once inside, little legs will be drawn to the multi-level hexagonal Round Tower, the playground’s centrepiece inspired by Kildare’s own historic landmark. Here, they can imagine themselves as daring Vikings or settlers defending the tower. To challenge their bravery, they’ll cross The Bridge of Courage stepping carefully over the widely spaced deck boards and peeking through them to the ground. A tube slide offers a thrilling reward for reaching the top.

Playful features and immersive design

The Ruin Play area takes inspiration from the abbey grounds, where children can scramble over a tree crown or bounce around on giant carved acorns, immersing themselves in the landscape of Kildare in a playful, hands-on way.

The play space also includes a double swing, tree crown and ample seating areas, encouraging cross-generational play and giving parents comfortable spots to rest while watching children dive into their own historical reenactments. The combination of these features creates cyclical routes that naturally encourage exploration and prevent queueing, keeping the flow of play dynamic and fun.

A bespoke tower cluster play feature illuminated at night

Thoughtful design for all ages

We designed the Kildare Village playground for children of all abilities, creating a space for everyone to explore. The towers and ruins offer climbing challenges, the carved acorns and a tree crown give balance practice and hiding spots in the towers encourage imaginative play. We ensured there was room for everyone to join in, with seating spread throughout so parents, carers and grandparents could be close to the action.

Robust materials like oak ensure the landscape is ready for the hundreds of feet that will explore it daily, while the hand-crafted details bring an authenticity that truly feels part of Kildare’s heritage.

Ready to elevate your retail space with a one-of-a-kind play experience? Get in touch to see how we can help create an engaging, memorable environment that captures the essence of your location and delights visitors of all ages.

Come and look around some of our bespoke playgrounds

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Increasing family appeal for retail at Bicester Village

Increasing family appeal for retail at Bicester Village
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Elevating a retail space to boost F&B

Elevating a retail space to boost F&B
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Play space transformation at Bainland Lodge Retreat

Play space transformation at Bainland Lodge Retreat
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Create a playground that’s uniquely yours.

We’re always happy to answer any questions you may have about how we work, or offer advice on how best to successfully deliver your project.