Following a large grant, Crowmarsh Gifford play park near Wallingford was redeveloped and opened in April 2019. It’s a fantastic play park with plenty for a wide spread of ages and my boys had a great time trying it out. In fact, they had so much fun that they didn’t want to leave and I had to exit the park with my 2 year under my arm kicking his legs and the other two dragging their feet and complaining it was the end of the world.
The actual play park area is not huge which has the advantage of being able to see where your kids are even when it’s busy. If you’re lucky you might even get the chance to sit down at a picnic table while they explore.
What’s great, is that they have packed in such a great variety of apparatus to explore with a few more unusual items for a little added excitement.
Crowmarsh Play Park for Little Ones
I try not to be a helicopter Mum, hovering over my kids but steep stairs on a slide always make me nervous especially as my youngest is that stage where he doesn’t want any help but I can’t totally trust him not to have a wobble here and there. The toddler slide is perfect as it has a grassy bank to scramble up or a wooden bridge walkway. There’s also a bright red tunnel to hide in which has an ‘In the Night Garden’ feel about it and little springy bugs to ride on.
Crowmarsh Play Park for Bigger Kids
My 6 and 8 year old loved the big climbing structure with more adventurous slide. There was also a novel roundabout which was an elevate disk you could sit or stand on at a slight tilt that you can spin round. I felt a bit queasy after my go!
One of the highlights for my bigger kids was this really cool balancing swing kind of thing. Not idea what to call it! There are two sets of seats, each balancing the one opposite. They can get a really good bounce going on.
Surrounding Crowmarsh Gifford park there lovely big recreation ground with plenty of space to kick around a ball and a big zip wire.
Crowmarsh Gifford Play Park Directions
I almost gave up trying to find the park when we visited as my sat nav took me to the Riverside Park & Pools (it has a little green space and car park so I thought I was on the right track but not quite. Luckily a friendly dog walker pointed in the right direction. So, here’s how to find Crowmarsh Gifford Recreation Ground which has a car park right next to it.
Drive down Bellamy Way through a housing complex, it feels like it can’t be right as you can’t see the park but you’re on the right track. Once you get to the very end, you’ll be able to spot the car park which is free to park in.
