PARK LIFE
The huge free UK playground that mums say is the ‘best they’ve ever been to’ with pirate ships, tree forts and beach
Adults aren't allowed in the playground unless they're with their kids
A PLAYGROUND at the centre of a UK park welcomes more than 1,000,000 people every year, with some people saying it's the best of its kind in the world.
Most free parks in the UK have a play area for children, but few of them, if any, have quite as much for kids to enjoy as the one in Kensington Gardens, London.
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The Princess Diana Memorial Playground was designed to create an area where less able and able-bodied children can play together" and to "provide for their physical, creative, social and educational development".
The park has a giant wooden pirate ship with its own beach, as well as a sensory trail and teepees to play in.
There are also a great variety of play sculptures set among the trees and plants, including a tree-house with walkways, ladders and slides while there's seating so grownups can relax while their kids explore.
However, adults aren't allowed into the park without any children to make sure only those wanting to play can enter.
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The website says: "Over 1,000,000 visitors enjoy this free playground every year. Kids love to play, explore, dash about, and let their imaginations soar.
"Being in such a magical environment encourages children to explore and follow their imaginations, learning whilst they play."
The park's pirate ship was inspired by the book Peter Pan, with author JM Barrie setting part of the story in Kensington Gardens.
A bronze statue of the story's hero features in the park, right on the spot where he first appears in the gardens.
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Peter Pan famously fights pirates in Never Never Land, including his enemy Captain Hook.
From hundreds of reviews on TripAdvisor, the park has an overall score of 4.5/5.
One parent wrote: "We went to the park today and I loved that it was gated and had a 'no adults without children' policy so I felt safe with my kids running around care free!"
Another said: "The sort of adventure playground every kid loves to get lost in. Good security and a safe place for kids to place."
A third added: "Brilliant free playground, the best we’ve been to. So many different areas our 3 year olds loved exploring."
The playground isn't the only thing for kids to enjoy in the park either, with the park a hotspot for ring-necked parakeets.
Next to The Long Water in the park is a stretch of hedges which people frequently visit to see the little green birds.
There the parakeets can be seen loitering and squawking at visiting people, hoping that they've brought snacks.
And, against the park's wishes, many people do. Apples, monkey nuts and sunflower seeds are among their favourite foods, although they're not especially fussy.
They're also more than happy to pose for photos either close by or perched atop people's head if they're feeling extra friendly, providing a free wildlife activity in the centre of London.
The playground is open every day from 10am until 4.45pm until March, when it closes at 5.45. It's open even later in both April and May and entry is free.
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Meanwhile, this record breaking children's attraction can be found in the UK.
And these are some of the biggest kids' adventure playgrounds.
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