Waddesdon Manor: bringing heritage to life through play

Photo of child sat at bottom of stainless steel curved tube slide on wooden play tower at Waddesdon Manor adventure playground

Set within the Buckinghamshire countryside, Waddesdon Manor is a French-inspired château where art, history and nature come together. Created by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild from 1874 and now managed by the Rothschild Foundation on behalf of the National Trust, the Manor welcomes families to explore its collections, gardens and woodland throughout the year.

Photo of child sat at bottom of stainless steel curved tube slide on wooden play tower at Waddesdon Manor adventure playground
Photo of child sat at bottom of stainless steel curved tube slide on wooden play tower at Waddesdon Manor adventure playground

To strengthen its family offer and give younger visitors a new way to experience the estate, Waddesdon Manor commissioned TouchWood to create Wild Wood Adventure Playground: a bespoke woodland playscape inspired by the stories, architecture and wildlife that make the Manor unique.

Designed for children aged two to 12, the playground opened in August 2026 following 10 months of consultation, design and construction.

Shaped by the community

Waddesdon Manor wanted to create a larger, more inclusive play space that would bring its woodland to life and encourage families to spend time playing, exploring and connecting with nature together.

From the outset, collaboration was central to the project. TouchWood ran workshops with local schools and community groups across Buckinghamshire to understand what children and families wanted from the new experience. Their ideas helped shape a playground with different levels of challenge, accessible routes and opportunities for younger and older children and their grown-ups to play alongside one another.

Photo of three adults using traditional wood shaving horses to remove bark from wooden logs

A playground that could only belong at Waddesdon Manor

Every element of Wild Wood draws on Waddesdon Manor’s distinctive character while responding sensitively to its woodland setting. The sloping site became an integral part of the design. Rather than imposing a conventional playground on the landscape, the team used the natural topography to create a journey through the trees, with winding routes, elevated challenges and discoveries unfolding along the way.

At its heart is the Lost Mansion, an imaginative timber structure inspired by the Manor itself. Curious corners, mirrored spaces, climbing routes and hidden details invite children to invent their own stories as they explore.

Higher in the woodland, the Plaviary creates an exhilarating treetop experience. Named in reference to Waddesdon Manor’s historic Aviary, the elevated walkway connects with the estate’s existing hill slide through net tunnels, bridges and a series of challenges and stopping points. Children can journey through the trees before taking one of three slides back down to the woodland floor.

Playful encounters with the Manor’s animal stories are woven throughout the space. These include a giant timber Rothschild mynah bird, a stick insect and Poupon – the much-loved poodle of Waddesdon Manor’s founder, Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild.

Together, these features turn the Manor’s heritage and landscape into something children can climb through, interact with and interpret for themselves.

Natural materials, crafted for the landscape

More than 17 tonnes of sustainably sourced timber from five different tree species were used to build the playground. The variety of natural forms, textures and tones helps the structures sit comfortably among the established trees while giving each feature its own character.

The result is an immersive play environment with towers, tunnels, slides, swings, balancing elements, a zip wire and quieter moments of discovery. More accessible pathways and varied entry-level play experiences ensure children of different ages, abilities and confidence levels can find their own way into the adventure.

Creating a new family destination

Wild Wood is more than a collection of play equipment. It gives families another compelling reason to visit Waddesdon Manor, explore more of the grounds and make lasting memories together.

The playground sits alongside a new woodland trail on Miss Alice’s Drive, picnic areas, cafés and the Manor’s wider programme of family activities. Early visitor coverage has praised the scale and variety of the space, its appeal across different ages and the way its raised timber walkways make the woodland easier to navigate with a buggy.

Funded by the Rothschild Foundation in recognition of the importance of family visits to Waddesdon Manor, Wild Wood demonstrates how thoughtfully designed play can enrich a heritage destination without losing what makes the setting special.

“TouchWood have been such collaborative partners and have helped us create something which could only be found here at the Manor – reflecting so much that is distinctive about our wonderful site. It’s also been completely inspiring to be part of a project specifically designed for and by our young visitors, to bring them here and encourage them to play, to challenge themselves and simply to be in nature.”

Pippa Shirley, Director of Waddesdon Manor

Come and look around some of our bespoke playgrounds

DISCOVER MORE

Diversification to drive visitor numbers – Harewood House

Diversification to drive visitor numbers - Harewood House
DISCOVER MORE

Creating legend-inspired play at Leonardslee Gardens

Creating legend-inspired play at Leonardslee Gardens
DISCOVER MORE

A new playscape inspired by nature

A new playscape inspired by nature
DISCOVER MORE

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.