- Outdoor Play, Theming
Birdworld
Surrey, UK
When Birdworld approached us, they were dealing with something pretty common for outdoor attractions in Surrey – how do you keep visitors coming year-round when you’re basically at the mercy of British weather? They had a beautiful wildlife park set in natural woodland, but like so many outdoor venues, they struggled during the colder months and needed better accessibility options.
The brief wasn’t simple either. They wanted something that would work for families throughout the year, be genuinely accessible for everyone, and somehow fit into their existing woodland without destroying what made the place special in the first place. Oh, and it had to work around mature trees and existing wildlife habitats. No pressure there!
The solution actually came from watching how the birds at Birdworld moved around their environment. We developed this two-level concept that basically lets kids experience the woodland the way birds do.
Up in the Canopy
The main outdoor attraction is what we call the Treetop Adventure Level – a series of interconnected towers that look like giant bird nests, all linked together with bridges and these spiral climbing nets. Kids can literally “fly” from tree to tree, getting that bird’s-eye view of the woodland. It’s pretty magical actually, seeing children up there experiencing the canopy like the wildlife does.
Down on the Ground
But here’s the thing – we couldn’t just build something amazing up high and forget about everyone else. The ground-level pathway features “Spriglet Houses” – each one’s got different activities like musical instruments, drawing stations, ball runs, and spyglasses. Younger kids love them, and crucially, they’re fully accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Materials That Make Sense
We went with Robinia wood for most of the construction. It’s an incredible material – harder than oak, naturally rot-resistant, and it can handle whatever the British weather throws at it. The stuff’s so durable it doesn’t even need treating, which fitted perfectly with Birdworld’s environmental approach. Plus, it ages beautifully and blends right into the woodland setting.
Making It Work for Everyone
Accessibility was non-negotiable from day one. We made sure there were proper pathways throughout and that kids of all abilities could join in the adventure, not just watch from the sidelines.
Working With Nature, Not Against It
This was probably the trickiest part – creating something substantial without harming the existing trees and wildlife habitats. We spent ages working out how to position everything so it enhanced the natural environment rather than competing with it. The nest-inspired design helps with that too – it looks like it belongs there.
Adding the Water Element
The brief included water play, so we created “Bird Bath” areas that tie into the whole theme. They’re brilliant during summer months and add another dimension to the play experience.
Safety Standards
Goes without saying really, but everything meets the required safety standards. Parents can relax while their kids explore, and the venue operators don’t have to worry about compliance issues.
The impact’s been pretty significant. Birdworld is now a unique attraction that draws families throughout much longer seasons, which was exactly what they needed for business sustainability. Phase one is an outdoor adventure play experience and Phase two is a massive 17,000 sq ft indoor “Play Barn” that is the largest indoor play facility in the region.
It’s quite satisfying really, seeing how thoughtful design can solve genuine business problems while creating something that celebrates nature and gets kids excited about the outdoors.
If you’re working on a visitor attraction that needs a custom play solution, we’d love to chat about it. We specialize in outdoor play areas, play net construction, and water play development for leisure attractions. Get in touch to see how we might be able to help with your particular challenges.
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