A bespoke timber play area upgrade designed to create a more engaging outdoor space for younger children

The Horse Shoe in Astbury wanted to refresh its outdoor play area to better suit younger children and improve the family experience at the venue. The existing equipment had become tired and no longer made the most of the available space.

The aim was to create a more attractive, practical and enjoyable play environment that would encourage families to stay longer and make the venue more appealing for repeat visits.

The Challenge

The client had already removed the old play equipment and needed a new solution that would:

• Create a more engaging play experience for younger children
• Make better use of the existing outdoor area
• Combine durability with a natural, family-friendly appearance
• Use practical surfacing solutions that worked with the existing layout
• Deliver a high-quality result without unnecessary disruption

The finished space needed to feel brighter, more usable and more inviting for family visitors.

Our Solution

PlayQuest supplied and installed a bespoke 3-Tower Activity Centre specifically designed for younger children, alongside a Double Mixed-Bay Swing Set to create a balanced play offering.

The installation included:

• Bespoke 3-Tower Activity Centre
• Double Mixed-Bay Swing Set
• Reinstated existing woodchip around the activity centre
• PlayBond Rubber Mulch surfacing around the swing area
• Woodchip top-up where required

By combining retained and refreshed surfacing with new equipment, the project made efficient use of the existing site while delivering a clear visual and practical upgrade.

The Outcome

The transformed play area now offers a much more inviting and age-appropriate environment for younger children, with climbing, sliding, balancing and swinging opportunities all within a safer and more attractive layout.

The natural timber finish works beautifully within the pub garden setting, while the combination of PlayBond and woodchip surfacing helps define the different play zones and improve usability.

For The Horse Shoe, the result is a family-friendly outdoor play area that adds value to the venue and creates a stronger reason for families to return.

Before & After