TWO intrepid young adventurers have taken on the arduous task of testing out highly anticipated new play equipment in the heart of County Durham.
Towering among the Christmas tree plantation at Raby Castle, the Plotters’ Forest offers an exciting mix of challenge, discovery and intrigue for its visitors.
The Northern Echo recruited Rosa and Joseph Galena to try it out on behalf of children across the region so they could share their thoughts with readers.
Rosa, who is eleven, said: “It was very good fun to run around on the bridges.
“I enjoyed exploring and it was so nice up in the trees. It’s cool.
“It is definitely going to be popular.
“I don’t remember having been to anything like this before or this big."
Rosa said: “There are things that you can speak into, like pipes, and you can communicate through them.
“There are stepping stones that you have to walk over to get through the woods.
“Some bits could feel a bit scary even though I knew it was completely safe. That was kind of my favourite thing. It was thrilling.”
Steeped in local history, Plotters’ Forest is inspired by its own past and the part the castle played in The Rising of the North in 1569.
Youngsters can experience sky-high turrets and treetop tunnels in the Plotters’ Spire, before slipping down the slides and interacting with the ground-level games that surround the structure.
The playground has also been designed with inspiration from some of Raby Castle’s architectural history, including the famous Nevill Gateway.
For the plotters requiring a pitstop, the new catering kiosk, The Plotters’ Pantry, serves takeaway hot and cold drinks, freshly made sandwiches, snacks, cake and ice cream and conveniently overlooks the toddlers’ play area, which includes mini turrets, climbing equipment and chalkboards.
The wooden boardwalk through the playground is accessible by wheelchair and pushchair, creating a fun and inclusive space for all visitors.
Joseph, who is nine but turns ten next month, said: “There are loads of things to do there.
"I was a bit scared of the slide at first but once you go down you are fine.
“Going across the tunnel which is quite high is a bit scary too at first but once you get on it is not so bad.
“It is great for children and even grown-ups like my dad can go on.
"The bridges are very secure and fun to walk across. It is class."
Joseph said: “You get a really good view and it is good fun.
"I like the smell because there are pine trees surrounding you and it reminds you of Christmas.
"It is amazing."
Tickets, £8 for adults, £7.50 for children and £29 for a family ticket, are now on sale
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