Client: Wigan Council
Value: £405,000.00
The transformation of Norley Hall Adventure Playground has delivered an exciting and engaging outdoor play environment that places adventure, exploration, and active recreation at the heart of the visitor experience. Officially reopened in August 2025 following significant investment by Wigan Council, the revitalised facility has re-established itself as a valued community asset and a destination where children can challenge themselves, develop confidence, and enjoy imaginative outdoor play.
For more than 40 years, Norley Hall Adventure Playground has held a special place within the local community, creating lasting memories for generations of families. Following its closure in 2020, the site underwent a comprehensive redevelopment programme informed by extensive consultation with local residents and supported by specialist consultants from the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust. The result is a modern adventure playground designed to inspire curiosity, creativity, and physical activity while providing opportunities for children of all ages and abilities to play together.
The completed playground features an impressive range of adventure-focused equipment, including zip lines, climbing towers, slides, swings, and a challenging boulder traverse wall. These elements encourage children to test their abilities, build resilience, and develop balance, coordination, and problem-solving skills through active play. The eye-catching climbing structures create opportunities for exploration and achievement, while the zip lines and swings provide excitement and a sense of freedom that are central to the adventure play experience.
In addition to traditional play equipment, the playground incorporates natural and sensory play features such as water play areas and a fire pit gathering space. These facilities promote imaginative play, social interaction, and learning through discovery, encouraging children to engage with the outdoors in a meaningful and adventurous way. The inclusion of a boarding swing and ‘round the world’ swing further enhances the play offer by providing accessible experiences that can be enjoyed by a wide range of users.
A multi-use games area complements the adventure facilities, creating additional opportunities for physical activity, teamwork, and healthy recreation. Together, these features encourage children to spend more time outdoors, fostering independence, confidence, and social development in a safe and supervised environment.
The completed scheme has successfully transformed Norley Hall Adventure Playground into a vibrant, inclusive, and inspiring outdoor destination. By combining adventurous play opportunities with accessible design and community-focused facilities, the project has created a welcoming space where children can explore, take risks, make friends, and develop lifelong connections with outdoor recreation and the natural environment.
