A new voyage: Pirate Ship playground for Christ Church C of E Primary School

A wooden pirate-themed play structure with a rope mast and bunting, surrounded by trees and set on a blue wet pour play surface.

Located in picturesque Clifton, Bristol, Christ Church C of E Primary School is known for its rich curriculum and close-knit community. When the school’s beloved pirate ship playground began to show its age, it was clear it had reached its final voyage. Our task was to design and construct a new ship that honoured the old favourite while offering even more play opportunities for students.

New Adventure

The project, funded by the school’s PTA and their fundraising events, aimed to capture the spirit of the original playship and elevate it. With the children’s imaginations in mind, we brought to life a supership bursting with features to spark creative play and active exploration. The new design offers a range of imaginative features, from a telescope and steering wheel for aspiring captains to a treasure chest and an under-ship quiet area, ensuring countless opportunities for adventure.

Various climbing routes lead to porthole windows and lookout points, ensuring every child gets a view from the top. Blue wet pour surfacing adds a vibrant, water-like effect to the play area and a carved tentacle on the bow introduces a unique design element. We repurposed the school’s original ‘Christ Church Primary’ sign and adorned it with bunting, creating a strong connection to the old ship. Addressing safety standards for the ropes required innovative approaches, and we carefully integrated an existing tree into the design.

Inclusive design

Inclusivity shaped the design from the ground up. The ship features a mix of play routes, with accessible ground-level areas alongside more challenging climbing options to suit a range of abilities. Wet pour surfacing supports wheelchair access and the refuge area beneath the ship creates a comfortable space for calm and quieter activities.

If you’re interested in similar playground designs for schools, we can help create bespoke solutions tailored to your needs.

Setting sail

The Christ Church community warmly welcomed the new ship and we were delighted to join them for the grand opening. One teacher shared, “We are very lucky to have worked closely with TouchWood from conception to completion. The children have been on the journey from briefing to seeing the designs as they were progressing to the final completion of the pirate ship in the playground.”

The story of this ship didn’t just stay on-site. The playground’s transformation was featured in Bristol Parent, highlighting its impact on the school and its community. If you’re looking to transform your school’s playground into an inspiring and inclusive play environment, get in touch with us today to explore the possibilities!