A Playground in the Clouds: The Evolution of Play at Brooklands Museum

Brooklands Museum, a beacon for motoring and aviation heritage, nestles on the historical ground of the former Brooklands Motor Course in Weybridge, Surrey, England. Since its grand opening in 1991, this museum has been diligently cared for by the independent Brooklands Museum Trust Ltd, a dedicated UK charity. Its heartfelt mission is to preserve, protect, and showcase the rich legacy of the Brooklands site.

Open daily, the museum lovingly displays an array of Brooklands-related exhibits, from colossal racing cars like the 24-litre Napier-Railton to historic motorcycles, bicycles, and a unique assortment of aircraft crafted by Hawkers and Vickers/British Aircraft Cooperation, including the iconic Concorde.

Back in 2022, eibe Play felt honoured to be invited by the Museum to explore potential play development opportunities, igniting excitement for future prospects.

The absence of a play space became a poignant realization during eibe Play's exploratory visit, fueling their passion to devise a space that combined educational themes with fun and engaging challenges.

With creativity ablaze, eibe Play envisioned a design concept that captured the museum's spirit. This concept swiftly won the council's heart, leading to approved plans by the local authority planning office after some thoughtful refinement.

The fruition of this project, a playful paradise, now offers spirited activities like climbing, sliding, and rocking. The entrance features an all-inclusive Wheelchair Accessible Plane, ensuring joy is accessible to every child. Within its cockpit, young imaginations soar through clouds, steered by interactive play panels and a steering wheel. This vibrant play area also boasts a wobbly bridge and a gleeful 1.45m slide. Meticulous details, like turnable propellers, enhance the authenticity and engagement of the space. Nearby, two Plane Themed Spring Rockers and eibe Play’s Nest and Toddler Seat Combination invite further exploration and delight.

A thoughtfully paved tarmac pathway alongside a safe, year-round accessible wet pour surface welcomes children of all ages and abilities, reinforcing the museum's commitment to inclusivity.

The transformative construction began in early 2024, with the site blossoming into a captivating play area by early summer. Merely four weeks post-initiation, this magical space opened its arms to the public, celebrated enthusiastically on the Museum's digital platforms and through social media.

eibe Play cherishes this heartfelt collaboration with the Museum, looking forward to nurturing this bond and creating more enchanting spaces in the years to come.