Our involvement began when the Stonor Family, who still live in and operate the park as an attraction, decided to extend the existing play to increase dwell time for guests and add more challenging play for slightly older children. As is often the case, the brief grew, and soon we were in discussions about adding a whole new layer of story. The team behind CAP.CO have all worked on the creation of story-led adventure play projects before with Skelf Island and BeWILDerwood before that so have the experience to create story-based attractions from inception.
Concepts
Delving into the history of Stonor opens a very rich theme of history and a depth of stories on which to build. The Jesuit priests Edmund Campion and Robert Parsons who lived and worked at Stonor Park, the family history of Droving and Wool Trading as well as being the site of a prehistoric stone circle, close to the house. In more recent years the House has been the location of Bladen’s Safe House in the 1987 Bond Film, the Living Daylights and the home of millionaire Victor Hazell in the film version of Roald Dahl’s ‘Danny, the Champion of the World.’.
After discussions with a number of exceptional children’s authors, Amy Sparkes was appointed to create the first in a series of stories set in and around the new adventure play area under the name of Tumblestone Hollow. The first book, ‘The Legend of Tumblestone Hollow’ is now available and looks incredible, with illustrations by our old friend, Steve Pearce.
Bringing the story to life
Taking inspiration from the stone circle in the grounds of the estate – an iconic feature of Stonor Park – the concept for the new masterplan for the play area accentuated this through form and theme. Our plan saw circles of play radiate out from different points within the play space.
A central tower, set within the circle of trees half way up the slope, became the focal point to the play space. Walkways and bridges radiate out from this structure, offering a myriad of play features and options on multiple levels.
Links to the existing play features, through walkways and bridges also make sure that the play area is coherent throughout. With the inclusion of a story and theme also based around the stone circle and its history and relevance to Stonor, the new adventure play is rooted in its surroundings, transporting visitors into another world whilst clambering amongst the trees.
