£3m attraction offer nostalgic play adventure

William’s Den, a family attraction offering a ‘nostalgic nod’ to a bygone era of children’s play, has opened in Yorkshire.

The £3m privately-owned attraction in North Cave offers indoor and outdoor play experiences for two to 12 year olds. Owners Christian and Tor Carver, who both grew up on farms, wanted to create an attraction where children were free to explore and play in natural surroundings.

Design and build play company TouchWood Play helped to create the 475sq m play barn which includes a 25m granite installation, complete with a cascading stream and pool, a rainmaker to simulate a rain shower, a six metre high Ancient Oak linked to a tree house, and a three metre slide off a deck down into a sandpit below.

Timberplay designed and delivered the outdoor play area that embraces landscaping with sand and water pumps, climbing structures, den making areas and a zip wire.

“TouchWood’s team of designers and craftsmen have enabled us to realise our dream to create something very special, which will 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,” says co-founder Tor Carver.