A new historically-themed adventure playground has opened at Rufford Abbey Country Park after a £350,000 investment.

The revamped play area, which explores the ages, from the Tudors through to Shakespeare, has been designed for children aged three and above.

It includes historical details associated with past kings, queens and other important figures.

These include an Edward VI-inspired oversized throne, which was designed following research into the boy king, and a ship-themed climbing frame reflecting the age of pirates and seafaring that took place under the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

A pathway leads to the Globe amphitheatre that lies opposite a family refreshment area.

The park is free to use and the adventure playground also features tunnels and netting inspired by the priest holes of King Henry VIII’s reign. These surround a large climbing rock that offers views of Rufford Abbey and the entire play area.

The changes have been funded and developed by Nottinghamshire County Council, which owns the park, and Parkwood Outdoors, which has operated the site since February 2017.

Chairman of the council’s Communicates and Place Committee, Coun John Cottee, said: “Rufford Abbey Country Park, set in the grounds of a former 12th Century Cistercian monastery and country house, is regularly voted the county’s favourite free tourist attraction.

Alongside the adventure golf experience opened in the summer, the playground bolsters what the park has to offer its younger visitors.”

Peter Fitzboydon, Managing Director of Parkwood Leisure, said: “Seeing this project come to life has been immensely rewarding and we hope that visitors will enjoy the new play area and finding out more about this country’s rich history.

Rufford Abbey Country Park is now a fantastic and affordable attraction for all of the family, since opening the park, it has proven to be very popular and we have taken on board customer feedback to help us make further improvements in due course, which will make the playground suitable for all abilities and become a fully accredited PIPA (Plan Inclusive Play Area) playground.”