Imaginative Playground Design - Primrose Hill C of E Primary, Gloucestershire | Absolute Play - Case Study
- Absolute Play
- May 26
- 3 min read
📌 Project snapshot
Sector: Education / Primary
Age range served: KS1 & KS2
Key project drivers: Primrose Hill C of E Primary School wanted to create a truly memorable, show-stopping playground development that made the most of its elevated site and surrounding views. The brief centred around delivering an exciting KS1 imaginative and physical play space, alongside a dedicated large scale KS2 climbing challenge, whilst carefully working within a fixed £60,000 budget.
Equipment type: Imaginative play, physical challenge, climbing equipment, mounds, social seating and themed features.
Surfacing: Artificial Grass & Forest Blend Bonded Rubber Mulch.
Budget: £60,000 + VAT
Project summary - Imaginative Playground Design
Absolute Play delivered a standout KS1 Imaginative Playground Design for Primrose Hill C of E Primary School, creating two distinct but complementary outdoor environments for KS1 and KS2 learners.
The scheme combined imaginative role play, large scale physical challenge, natural styling and social interaction — resulting in a playground packed with character, movement and visual impact whilst remaining achievable within budget.
The brief
The school wanted something different from a standard playground upgrade.
For KS1, the vision was to create a striking imaginative and physical play environment that encouraged storytelling, movement, exploration and social interaction — a destination playground that embraced the setting and outlook across the surrounding landscape.
Alongside this, the school wanted a dedicated KS2 challenge zone centred around a large climbing structure to provide greater physical stretch, progression and excitement for older children, all delivered within a carefully managed £60k budget.
Our solution
Key Equipment
• Multi-tower multi-platform timber tower unit.
• Large KS2 Clamber Stack installation.
• Log play mound and tunnel feature.
• Rope junction challenge trail.
• Timber Tipi imaginative play feature.
• Wishing chair and social button stool seating zone.
• Artificial grass landscape shaping.
• Natural surfacing throughout using bonded rubber mulch.
Design approach:
The design deliberately moved away from standard modular playground layouts in favour of a more immersive, natural and character-driven environment. The proposal created a strong distinction between the two age phases whilst ensuring the overall scheme felt cohesive and visually impactful.
The KS1 space blended imaginative play, climbing, social gathering and landscape features to create a playful environment full of movement and discovery. Large timber towers, a play mound, tunnel, rope challenges and themed elements helped transform the area into a destination space with strong visual presence. The accompanying KS2 zone centred around a substantial clamber stack structure, creating a dedicated physical challenge area for older children.
Materials & surfacing
Equipment materials used:
• Natural timber climbing and tower structures.
• Timber social seating and imaginative play features.
• Rope challenge components and landscape play elements.
Surface types used:
• Play Grade Artificial Grass to soften selected zones and strengthen landscape styling.
• Forest Blend Bonded Rubber Mulch beneath key play equipment to provide impact attenuation whilst maintaining a natural aesthetic.
These materials were selected to reinforce the natural character of the scheme whilst supporting durability, safety and lower maintenance requirements.
Installation
The project involved delivering two linked play developments within a tightly controlled budget, requiring careful specification and value engineering to maximise visual impact, challenge and play value without compromising quality.
Groundworks, surfacing preparation and safety surfacing installations were coordinated across both the imaginative play area and dedicated climbing space to create a polished and cohesive final result.
The outcome
Primrose Hill C of E Primary School now benefits from a bold and memorable playground environment that delivers genuine progression between KS1 and KS2 play.
The KS1 space provides a rich blend of imagination, movement and social interaction, whilst the KS2 area introduces a strong physical challenge through its dedicated clamber stack feature. The final development feels exciting, distinctive and highly individual — making the most of the school's unique setting whilst staying true to budget.
Client feedback
Emma Mignaud - Primrose Hill Primary School
"We are really happy with the new equipment and the installation. The team were great and very professional.
Thank you for all of your hard work and excellent communication. We wouldn’t hesitate to use you again."
Looking to create something similar?
If you're planning a KS1 Imaginative Playground Development, a KS2 physical play upgrade or a complete playground transformation, we'd love to help bring your ideas to life.
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