A striking 17-metre wooden galleon has been hoisted into position at the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens, marking a major milestone in the site's £3million transformation.
The vessel, crafted from mountain larch sourced from Bavaria's alpine foothills, will serve as the focal point of the upgraded play space.
Drone footage captured the first section of the full-scale ship being manoeuvred by crane into the royal park.
Britain's most popular playground, which welcomes approximately one million visitors annually, has remained closed since autumn for the extensive renovation works.
A new 17-foot galleon has been installed in a £3million revamp at the Princess Diana Memorial playground in London
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The free attraction, situated adjacent to Kensington Palace, is scheduled to welcome families once again when it reopens during summer 2026.
The galleon was manufactured in Frasdorf, a village nestled in the German Alps, by Timberplay in partnership with Richter Spielgerate, the firm responsible for creating the original Peter Pan-inspired vessel when the playground first launched.
According to Royal Parks, the alpine climate produces timber that grows exceptionally slowly, resulting in wood that is both stronger and naturally resistant to decay without requiring chemical treatment.
The ship travelled from Rotterdam across the North Sea to Tilbury in Essex before completing its journey to the capital by road.
The playground will be open in the summer
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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 renovated playground will offer an array of features for young visitors, including a tunnel slide, twin crow's nests and a ramped entrance to the main deck, ensuring accessibility for disabled children.
Beyond the galleon, families can look forward to a new treehouse, a redesigned water play area and a dedicated zone for children under the age of three.
The Royal Parks charity confirmed the substantial investment was necessary after the previous equipment had reached the end of its usable lifespan.
The memorial playground opened in 2000
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The playground was originally established in 2000 as a tribute to Princess Diana, who died in a Paris car crash in 1997.
Located beside her former residence at Kensington Palace, the free attraction has remained a beloved destination for families visiting the royal park.
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