Yesterday we ended up visiting Blackthorn play park while the rain was pelting down but still loved it, so I know it’s a good one! My quickly snapped photos don’t do it justice but hopefully you’ll get the drift.
Not far from Bicester, Blackthorn play park is a great grassy park with an all natural feel.
While there is a set of baby swings, the park is definitely most suited to children who are confident on their feet and climbing or you need to be on hand to help balance them.
The main climbing frame has a fort like feel with lots of ways up and down. Climb the stairs, several ladders, up the netting or hang on to ropes and reverse abseil. The slide down a good midway and deceptively fast on a rainy day. My little one shot right of the end at high speed.
My youngest loves to balance on pretty much anything. A walk through the woods involves climbing and walking along any fallen tree trunks which is fine but less so when it’s the low wall of someone’s house that I’m dragging him off. There are great balance challenges to try out at Blackthorn Park. A great little assault course for children.
The grassy mounds around area great for running up and down too. If you have older kids that are looking for more of a stretch, there are monkey bars and a zip wire. The zip wire didn’t have it’s handing seat thingy when I visited. I don’t know if this is covid related and has been removed or just broken.
We were so taken with the wooden climbing frame and running around that I didn’t even spot the willow house to start. Still fun in it’s winter twiggy state, this is going to be gorgeous once it’s all leafy.
If you’d like a very mini woodland adventure, cross the wooden bridge to a little busy area. There’s a central tree which looks like it’s well loved and climbed. With the willow area and this both close to the main play area, it would make a great spot for hide and seek.
The grassy area all around is lovely and this would be a lovely play park to combine with a picnic.
Blackthorn Park Facilities
There are no toilets or cafe here, just a quiet village play park. The style play equipment and access to everything over the grass means it’s not really suite to anyone with additional physical needs.
Blackthorn Park Parking
There’s a small free car park for Blackthorn Park. There’s a very small sign up on the road before you turn into Blackthorn Close which does have a little P sign so you haven’t gone the wrong way even if it feels like you’ve pulled into a residential parking area.
