Indoor children’s play centre set to launch this summer

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 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.

It brings the adventure and exploration of the natural world indoors, with play experiences centred on themes including space, the jungle, the ocean, and the air.

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

Peter Grant said: “We have sought to engage children in imaginative themed play in magical surroundings.

“Up until now, our attraction has been outside in our beautiful woodlands and fields, but we wanted to ensure children could play even on rainy days. So, we set out to create something like our Enchanted Forest, which is outside, inside.”

Susie Grant said: “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.

“We came up with this original concept for the Playhive and have guided our designers and fabricators throughout this process.”

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

Peter Grant said: “We’re aware not all children have the opportunities they should, and so we are very proud to use the Playhive to launch our support of this valuable charity.”

Lucy Pickford, head of relationships and strategic partnerships at Martin House, said: “Playhive is such an exciting initiative.

“We’re very aware of the power of play and the huge benefit it brings to children who receive the care of Martin House, and Playhive’s support will help us continue to provide this kind of experience to them and their families.”