When you become a parent one of the things you look forward to is sharing the highlights of your own childhood with your children.

For Daddy Malpi many of those special memories were the trips he made to the adventure playground at Belton House near Grantham.  Fast forward two or three decades and he has already taken the minis on numerous trips to the National Trust’s playground which was extensively renovated three years ago.

The adventure playground's birthday (2)

Photo: National Trust

And now that playground is about to celebrate 40 years of making memories for all its visitors.

Opened by Peter Purves on Easter Sunday in 1978, the Blue Peter presenter will be returning to the outdoor site four decades later to help mark its anniversary.

His appearance will be part of a full day of play on Thursday, March 29th, including puppet shows, children’s outdoor theatre, bush-craft activities and face painting and more to kick-start this year’s Easter holiday.

The playground, originally called Jungleland because of its woodland setting, was created by the Brownlow family who owned the estate until 1984.  Today it is the National Trust’s largest outdoor adventure playground, offering challenging play in the woodland setting that’s made it such a well-loved destination for generations of families.  

The playground is open from 9.30am every day, closing only on Christmas Day. This event is free, but normal admission charges apply.  For more information, please  visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/belton-house 

Looking for an adventure playground further north?  Check out Family Travel With Ellie’s William’s Den Review, a family attraction in North Cave, near Hull.