Unique setting inspires new play facilities at Kelling Heath Holiday Park

7/19/2021

Two new themed play areas will provide extra fun and games for youngsters staying at Kelling Heath Holiday Park this summer.

Steam Train Adventure – a wood-framed train for younger children – now sits in the award-winning Park’s Village Square, while a Squirrel’s Drey walkway, complete with ladders, slide and a Birds Nest climbing frame have been introduced for older children on the Park’s sports field.

Mark Durrant, Kelling Health’s Park Manager, says the popular staycation destination decided to invest in the new facilities after taking on board feedback from guests staying among the Park’s 300 acres of woodland and rare open heathland on the north Norfolk coast, near Weyborne.

“We pride ourselves on providing fantastic facilities for our guests, but there is always more that can be done to enhance the on-park experience and that goes for our younger guests as much as anyone else,” he said, adding: “We’re really pleased with the new additions and hope they will inspire a natural love of the outdoors through imaginative play.”

Made from sustainable robinia wood to fit the Park’s natural surroundings, the new attractions were manufactured and installed by environmentally-friendly play park specialist, Eibe. The Squirrel’s Drey design was chosen to reflect the fact that Kelling has successfully bred over 30 kittens since joining the national red squirrel breeding programme in 1999. Steam Train Adventure is a nod to the fact the Park is an official halt on the North Norfolk Railway’s famous Poppy Line between Sheringham and Holt – something Mr Durrant says informed the choice of the official opening.

“The Poppy Line has been a much-loved memory maker for thousands of guests over the years, so we couldn’t think of anyone better to open our own new train and play areas than North Norfolk Railway’s General Manager himself, Andrew Munden. We’re delighted he could join us and are looking forward to families enjoying these new facilities for many years to come.”

Investment in the play areas comes a few weeks after the Park launched its own unique Stargazing gin – a collaboration with Norfolk-based distiller, Black Shuck, featuring keynote botanicals of Norfolk gorse and blackberries, both of which are found growing wild at the park.