Why Glastonbury’s £200,000 Abbey Park playground design came out on top

By Laura Linham 10th Nov 2026

Local News by Laura Linham 2 hours ago

The reasons behind the selection of a new £200,000 play area for Glastonbury's Abbey Park have been set out, including how residents' views and accessibility shaped the decision.

Wicksteed's design was chosen from nine proposals after being assessed against five criteria: public consultation results, design quality and understanding of the brief, inclusion and accessibility, play value, and value for money.

Residents' feedback counted for 30 per cent of the overall score. Design quality also accounted for 30 per cent, while inclusion and accessibility, play value and value for money each made up 15, 15 and 10 per cent respectively.

Wicksteed received 23 out of a possible 25 points for design quality and understanding of the brief — the highest score in that category. The assessment awarded full marks for creating a distinctive play destination rooted in Glastonbury's identity, bringing the equipment and supporting features together, and meeting the specifications for materials, surfaces and colours.

Accessibility was another strength of the proposal. It received full marks for accessible routes and meaningful participation for children with mobility difficulties, and for enabling children of different ages and physical abilities to play together. Its sensory features were also rated positively.

The Arthurian theme runs through the plans, with a central Camelot Castle featuring towers, bridges, slides and climbing challenges. A smaller fortress is intended for younger children, while a larger structure offers more demanding activities.

Other proposed features include a wheelchair-accessible ramp to a shared platform, a Crown Carousel, an inclusive in-ground trampoline, swings, sensory and musical equipment, and a communication panel. A Sword in the Stone climbing rock, dragon-themed equipment and a Knight's Agility Trail would add to the theme.

Seating and inclusive picnic facilities are also planned. The existing football and basketball facilities are set to remain.

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The design was presented as number nine during the public consultation. Residents could view all nine proposals online and at an exhibition at Glastonbury Town Hall on 30 September.

The scheme is due to move into final design refinement ahead of planned installation in March and April 2027. The council has allocated £200,000 for the redevelopment.