New 17-metre-long Galleon moors in Kensington Gardens

A brand new life-size wooden ship has arrived in Kensington Gardens after making its maiden voyage across the North Sea. The new Galleon will be the centrepiece of the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground when it reopens in the summer of 2026.

The wooden ship was manufactured in Frasdorf, Germany and is predominately made from mountain larch wood that has been drawn from sustainably managed forests in the Bavarian Alps, where the harsh alpine conditions result in extremely slow growth. This means the timber is stronger, naturally rot resistant and there is no need for chemical treatments.

The new Galleon left Frasdorf, Germany last week and travelled to Rotterdam in Holland before crossing the North Sea to Tilbury in Essex, and then by road to its final destination in London.

The free-to-enter playground is currently undergoing a £3million renewal by The Royal Parks charity which will include a new Galleon, a new Treehouse, a redesigned water play area and a refreshed under three’s area.

The Galleon is being delivered by Timberplay UK and its partners Richter Spielgerate, which also designed and produced the original Galleon back in 2000.

The playground located in Kensington Gardens, opened in 2000 to commemorate the late Diana, Princess of Wales, who resided at the nearby Kensington Palace. Inspired by the adventures of Peter Pan the playground welcomes over a million visits a year, and after decades of adventures and play, some of the larger pieces in the playground had come to the end of its life.

Andy Williams, Park Manager for Kensington Gardens said: 

“We are delighted to have the new Galleon – the centrepiece of the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Playground– here in Kensington Gardens.

“Children can be the captain of their own ship and let their imaginations soar when the playground reopens in summer 2026. The new ship will be even more fun to play on with two crow’s nests, a tunnel slide and lots of inclusive play elements such as a play kitchen, a musical fence, and a play telescope. The new Galleon will also provide wheelchair accessible spaces so that children of all abilities can play together.”

Paul Collings, Managing Director of Timberplay said: 

"Timberplay are delighted to be part of this landmark project at Kensington Gardens. This new Galleon and Treehouse will reinforce the space as a benchmark for public play, delighting millions of children for years to come.”

The playground renewal is being funded by The Royal Parks charity and through a mix of public and private donations. Fundraising is continuing to complete the project.