An impressive 17-meter long galleon, set to be the focal point of a £3 million renovation of the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground, has been successfully placed in position. Crafted from mountain larch in Germany’s Bavarian Alps, this wooden ship embarked on its inaugural journey to London’s Kensington Gardens.
Drone footage captured the meticulous process of hoisting the first half of the structure into the royal park using a crane, where it will stand as a life-sized ship for children of all ages to enjoy. Anticipated to open later this year, the galleon promises a new and exciting experience for visitors.
Andy Williams, the park manager at Kensington Gardens, expressed his excitement about the arrival of the new galleon, emphasizing its significance as the centerpiece of the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground. When the playground reopens in the summer of 2026, children will have the opportunity to unleash their imagination as they captain their own ship.
Transported across the North Sea from Rotterdam to Tilbury in Essex and then by road to London, the refurbished play area will showcase the galleon, featuring a tunnel slide, two crow’s nests, and a ramped entrance for disabled access to the main deck. Other additions include a new treehouse, redesigned water play area, and an under-threes zone.
Constructed as a tribute to the late princess, the free playground, adjacent to Diana’s former residence, Kensington Palace, initially opened in 2000. With an average of one million visitors annually, making it the UK’s most frequented playground, the attraction has been closed for renovations since the previous autumn but is scheduled to reopen in the summer.
The galleon, crafted in Frasdorf, Germany, by Timberplay and Richter Spielgerate, the same designers of the original Peter Pan-themed galleon, boasts exceptional durability due to the slow growth conditions in the alpine region. This natural strength makes the timber resistant to decay without the need for chemical treatments.
Royal Parks highlighted that the timber’s resilience is attributed to the harsh alpine environment, which fosters slow growth, resulting in stronger and naturally rot-resistant wood.