Landmark Family-Favourite Play Structure Replacement | The Look Out Discovery Centre
Nine Mile Ride, Crowthorne RG12 7QW
Operated by Bracknell Forest Council, The Look Out Discovery Centre is a popular family destination in Berkshire. At its core stood a much-loved woodland play fortress which, after decades of heavy use, had reached a state of disrepair.
The attraction commissioned Creative Play to design and install a replacement timber play castle that would retain the same sense of adventure and appeal, while introducing new opportunities for exploration. It also had to be robust enough to cope with high levels of visitor footfall, the site often offering outdoor play both on weekdays and weekends.
Landmark play structure replaced within live visitor attraction
Created to fit local forest aesthetic
Developed to support visitor flow
Installed in a woodland area with minimum disruption to visitors and wildlife
THE LOOK OUT DISCOVERY CENTRE
Set within Swinley Forest, The Look Out Discovery Centre is a family-focused science and technology destination designed to make learning engaging and accessible. With over 100 interactive exhibits, such as bug investigation, live science shows and many hands-on features, the centre encourages children to explore, experiment, and discover through play. Open to families, school trips, and special group bookings, it is one of the busiest and most well-known educational attractions in the Bracknell area.
The centre is defined by its open-sided architectural design, which creates a strong visual and physical connection to the surrounding woodland. Maintaining this relationship with the natural environment is central to the attraction, meaning any new playground equipment needed to complement the setting and sit comfortably within the centre’s distinctive aesthetic.
Three distinct outdoor play areas – an inclusive zone, an infant space, and a junior section – cater to a wide range of children, to a high standard. However, the junior area for ages 7 to 11 had reached a point where an upgrade was needed.
At its heart stood a much-loved play fortress, a long-standing focal point that, after 25 years of use, was showing clear signs of wear. While large-scale projects are familiar territory to Creative Play, this presented a different kind of challenge – the existing structure held strong emotional value. Expectations were high, and during the initial site survey, both visitors and staff were quick to emphasise the importance of delivering a replacement that lived up to its legacy.
The brief reflected this balance, stating “the new castle needs to retain the sense of excitement and challenge that made the original so popular, appropriate for the age group”.
Working closely with the team at The Look Out Discovery Centre, Creative Play’s Outdoor Play Expert Simon led discussions around project objectives, site considerations, and operational requirements.
“It didn’t take long to identify the right approach,” he explains. “The team had a very clear vision from the outset, so it became a matter of refining that into a workable design. Our Jigsaw range lends itself well to this kind of project – its modular nature means we can adapt and configure the structure to meet specific needs while staying true to the original concept.”
CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS: OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW
State Of Area Before Installation
Distressed play fortress needing removal
Variety of other play equipment needing removal
Muddy access areas, possible tree obstructions
Access to the site was well planned, allowing delivery into the wooded area to be carried out efficiently. The team at The Look Out Discovery Centre ensured routes were clear of obstacles and that all gates were open, enabling smooth movement of equipment into position. While tree removal was offered where required, the installation team was able to work around existing constraints, keeping disruption to the surrounding woodland to a minimum.
Removal of the existing play equipment was also straightforward, with foundation posts cut below ground level to maintain a clean, unobstructed finish. The presence of Heras fencing, along with access to local welfare facilities, supported a streamlined installation process while keeping associated costs to a minimum.
Playground Surfacing
The existing bark surfacing was retained but laid on a new geo-textile membrane to help manage costs while maintaining the natural character of the site. To ensure compliance with BS EN 1176 safety standards, we recommended the depth be increased to 300mm, appropriate for the critical fall height of the new play structure.
IMPLEMENTATION: FROM WOODLAND DERELICT TO ENCHANTED PLAY KINGDOM
Although there are several Castles in the Creative Play catalogue, it was deemed best to create a bespoke one on this occasion to retain a unique sense of identity for the attraction. The flexibility of Creative Play’s exclusive Jigsaw Tower System means it can be expanded over time. A design that began as a two-tower concept quickly grew into four, before evolving into a seven-tower castle by the time of installation. Should The Look Out Discovery Centre choose to develop it further in future, additional towers can be integrated without the need to remove or replace the existing structure.
As it stands now, the castle features:
6 Windows
Drawbridge
Portcullis
Turret elements
…plus a finishing touch in the form of a bespoke Playtec recycled plastic panel engraved with the centre’s mascot, Eric the Owl.
To support long-term durability, in addition to a 20-year guarantee on upright timbers, 52 metal post shoes were fitted to lift the foundation posts clear of the woodland floor, protecting them from ground moisture and reducing the risk of rot damage.
“The installation process was professional, efficient, and ran seamlessly. Creative Play really brought our vision to life. They developed a bespoke design, made thoughtful adjustments along the way, and demonstrated a clear understanding of our unique site, which is situated within a forest.”
– Aden, The Look Out Discovery Centre
RESULTS: A MUCH-LOVED PLAY SPACE EXPERTLY REIMAGINED FOR A NEW GENERATION
After 6 days of work the area was declared open for use by an RPII-certified inspector on 20th March, just in time for the Easter crowds.
Alongside science shows and exhibitions, the playground at The Look Out Discovery Centre forms one of three core experiences that shape its identity, strengthening visitor flow and creating a clearer sense of progression from arrival to departure. On brighter days, it encourages visitors to extend their time outdoors as a natural continuation of their visit, making the most of the woodland setting at the heart of the attraction.
“The experience with Creative Play has been fantastic. They visited our site for the initial survey, giving us designs and costs, but then returned for a presentation which I thought went above and beyond”– Aden, The Look Out Discovery Centre
Maintenance & Future Opportunities
Unlike many in the industry, Creative Play have a dedicated Aftercare Department, so any enquiries for maintenance are straightforward and efficient.
LOOKING TO UPGRADE OUTDOOR PLAY EQUIPMENT AT YOUR VISITOR ATTRACTION?
Creative Play works with leisure and tourism sites to deliver durable, engaging play areas that support visitor flow, dwell time, and long-term value. Speak to one of our Play Advisors to discuss your project. Visit the Contact Page or get in touch via email or telephone: [email protected] | 01244 375 627
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