Natural Playground Design at Mowden Hall School – Outdoor Learning & Play by Newby Leisure

This summer, Newby Leisure’s specialist site team delivered an inspiring natural playground design project, transforming the school’s outdoor space into a vibrant learning environment. We were delighted to revisit the site and see pupils exploring, playing and learning in their brand-new outdoor classroom and landscaped play area.

Transforming the school’s existing blank canvas, we designed and built two distinct outdoor areas, each tailored with a unique purpose to enhance learning and play outdoors.

In one space, we created a fun, multi-purpose playground filled with water play, construction play, sand play and more – perfect for sparking children’s imagination. Within the other area, we designed and built a bespoke outdoor classroom, situated by impressive physical play structures, giving pupils the ideal setting for active learning and exploration in each space.

From a previously empty, underused area, to a vibrant playground full of fun and purpose! The children of Mowden Hall School will enjoy endless hours of learning, play and exploration in this natural playground design.

All-Weather Outdoor Learning and Play Area for Early Years Children

This exciting outdoor space is dedicated to fun and adventure for early years children. The area features both open-air and sheltered zones, ensuring the play equipment is accessible and enjoyable all year round.

Underneath the large shelter, we developed a construction play area. This zone includes our popular Construction Play Hut, the Weights and Scales Table, and a range of other high-quality, sustainable, timber play resources to encourage hands-on learning and imaginative play.

We also installed a bespoke sandpit within the shelter to enhance sensory experiences.

Alongside this, we incorporated more of our signature timber products, including the best-selling Coloured Teepee, which adds a vibrant element to the play space.

To complete the area, we added a water play stream, practical storage solutions, and creative mark-making opportunities, providing children with endless ways to learn, play, and explore.

Learn more about our Water Play Streams!

use code: BTS10

Mud Kitchen

635+VAT

Active Outdoor Play and Learning Area for Children

The second area of this Newby Leisure project is where the physical play opportunities really come to life. In this spacious zone, we installed a large Clamber Stack, designed to help develop children’s upper body strength and overall physical development through active play.

These exciting wooden natural play climbing frames showcase the future of outdoor climbing equipment, offering a safe and stimulating way for children to build strength and confidence.

Alongside the Clamber Stack, our team designed and manufactured a bespoke timber Tower Unit, complete with engaging physical features such as a slide, to encourage movement, balance and coordination.

To blend physical play with nature, we also incorporated a Natural Clamber Tree, creating a unique natural play experience that inspires imaginative exploration.

Finally, we installed a large Outdoor Classroom, specifically designed to enhance outdoor learning. Teachers at Mowden Hall School can now take lessons outside, making full use of their brand-new classroom to enrich children’s educational experiences.

Learn more about our Clamber Stacks!

Safe and Durable Surfacing for School Play Areas

This natural playground design showcases an innovative multi-surface playground design ideal for an EYFS, educational play environment. Each surface was carefully chosen to enhance safety, durability and visual appeal, while creating a stimulating and safe outdoor play area for the children.

Beneath the Clamber Stack, we installed wet pour safety surfacing in an attractive earth-mix colour. This popular school playground surfacing not only provides a safe landing area but also delivers an aesthetic finish thanks to its colour and texture.

Leading up to the outdoor classroom, we laid stone-bound resin surfacing with a block paved edge. This hard-wearing surface option is perfect for high-traffic school playground areas, offering both long-lasting performance and an appealing design.

Around the fallen clamber tree, we installed bonded rubber mulch, another soft surface designed to keep children safe during active play.

The remainder of this educational play environment combines wet pour surfacing, block paving, as well as existing tarmac and grass. This mix of surfacing materials adds sensory value through different colours and textures, enriching children’s play and learning experiences outdoors.

Learn more about our Surfacing!