Fairytale inspired new play area open for Christmas at Moors Valley (Dec 2018)

Fairytale inspired new play area open for Christmas at Moors Valley (Dec 2018)

A magical new play area bringing classic fairy tales to life has been opened in time for Christmas at the award-winning Moors Valley Country Park and Forest.

The “Enchanted Woods” are filled with hand carved and crafted wooden play pieces based on characters from forest themed stories including Goldilocks and Hansel and Gretel.

Located at the start of the play trail, the “Enchanted Woods” has 12 play structures for children to explore and enjoy. Visitors can step through a large door to visit the Three Bears House area. Here children can climb up the three bears bed steps, sit down at the bear’s table complete with three porridge bowls, or splash their way through a bear paw print trail.

Inspired by the story of Little Red Riding Hood, children visiting the Grandma’s House area can crawl under the bed where the Wolf is pretending to be Grandma and speak into a sound tube to make him talk. For the more adventurous, there is a large balance beam section through Grandma’s wardrobe or they can visit another area to follow a breadcrumb trail inspired by the story of Hansel and Gretel.

Made by the talented carpenters and artists from Bristol play design company The Green Play Project, the play pieces are all carved from sustainably sourced wood including green oak and coppiced sweet chestnut and provide a unique outdoor play area for children to explore.

Visitors were asked to pick a name for the new play area. Over a thousand visitors voted and “Enchanted Woods” was chosen as the clear winner reflecting its truly magical experience and setting.

Linda Laker, the Forestry Commission’s Recreation Manager for Dorset, said:

“Enchanted Woods is a truly magical play area that will inspire children’s imaginations and be enjoyed by the whole family. We would like to thank visitors to the park for their support because without the funds raised by car parking it would not be possible to fund new projects such as this. The forest has a unique opportunity to engage families challenging and creative play and we are delighted to opening this fantastic new addition to our play trail.”

In addition to the new play area there are a range of new fun activities taking place over the Christmas period. A brand-new adaption of the Grimm’s fairy-tale Rumpelstiltskin is being performed on 17 and 18 December (booking essential) or visitors can come and join in the festive spirit by following the Family Christmas Quiz Trail around the park.

For more information visit www.moors-valley.co.uk/christmas

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Notes to Editors

About Green Play Project

Formed in 2009, Green Play Project is based in Bristol and brings together talented carpenters and artists to work on innovative projects using a variety of materials. They like to develop new concepts and enjoy the challenge of building new products and design ideas. Visit www.greenplayproject.co.uk