Stonehenge to host temporary adventure playgound

Children and adults visiting Stonehenge during the May half-term will be invited to design and create their own temporary adventure playground on the site.

Playhenge, which opened on Friday 17 May and runs until Tuesday 4 June, has been developed by English Heritage, which manages the site, in partnership with constructive play specialist Woodland Tribe. The 50-minute activity is included as part of the standard Stonehenge entry ticket, with tools and natural building materials provided by English Heritage.

"Playhenge is a one-of-a-kind experience that allows our visitors to connect with the spirit of creativity and collaboration that has inspired people for millennia,” said Julia Richardson, the operations manager at Stonehenge.

“By providing tools and materials for DIY play this half term, we aim to offer a contemporary twist on the timeless wonder of Stonehenge, inviting families to build, play, and create totally unique memories together."

After the event, the temporary adventure playground will be dismantled, and the wood will be used at other events and community projects this summer.

Stonehenge is a prehistoric megalithic structure that is believed to have been constructed in several phases from around 3100 BC to 1600 BC, with the circle of large sarsen stones placed between 2600 BC and 2400 BC.

And English Heritage statement said: “[Playhenge will] challenge children to use their imaginations, think about how to safely design and build structures and work collaboratively for a common purpose. This aligns with what we know about the builders of Stonehenge.”

The November/December edition of Museums Journal will include an In Practice special on play in museums, including a guide to creating play areas for children. To contribute please email rebecca.atkinson@museumsassociation.org