£3.5m project set to create “one of Europe's largest play areas”

The final phase of a £3.5m project to create “one of Europe’s biggest indoor children’s play centres” is underway.

The Playhive at Stockeld Park is now set to open in Yorkshire in July 2022. Set in the 2,000-acre Stockeld Estate near Wetherby, the Playhive features a series of interconnected adventure zones set within a circular building, with a 33-foot tower at its centre.

The Playhive is the brainchild of Peter and Susie Grant, who own and run Stockeld Park.

Peter Grant said: “Everything we have done at Stockeld has been original and unique, and we have sought to engage children in imaginative themed play in magical surroundings.”

Stockeld Park is already one of Yorkshire’s leading family attractions. Its iconic Enchanted Forest contains numerous themed play areas, all containing imaginative bespoke play features designed to inspire children’s imaginations.

Susie Grant added: “Our imaginative play has been the secret of our success, and we wanted to re-create that inside. We didn’t want the usual plastic soft play, but rather bespoke wooden structures - just as we have outside - but even better.

The Playhive’s focus on play has been welcomed by child psychologists. A group of 15 leading child psychologists and educational specialists - advocating play to help children recover from almost two years of Covid anxieties.

Children’s charities will benefit from the Playhive. Locally, the attraction will help raise funds for the charity, Martin House Children’s Hospice in Wetherby.

Lucy Pickford, head of relationships and strategic partnerships at Martin House, said: “Playhive is such an exciting initiative, and we’re delighted they have chosen to support us.”