We design, build and install award-winning playgrounds for schools
Creating amazing play in schools has always been at the core of TouchWood.
Play is so important. I’m a firm believer in the importance of creating natural playgrounds where children can learn through play in a stimulating and beautiful environment.
Joe Cooper TOUCHWOOD PLAY FOUNDER
Real play is learning without knowing it. It benefits our heath and wellbeing. It helps us grow as individuals and come together as communities.
At TouchWood, we design, build and install unique, natural playgrounds that inspire, challenge and connect children with nature.
Since 2002, we’ve created hundreds of indoor and outdoor play experiences for schools, parks and public spaces, visitor attractions, trusts, charities and commissions.
Whether you want a nature trail, play area or show-stopping adventure playground for your school, we have the knowledge, experience and passion to bring your vision to life.
We will support you with everything from inspiring ideas to installation, long-term care, and maintenance.
Our expert design team helps our educational clients by guiding them through every step of the playground design and build process.
We offer annual maintenance visits to ensure your playground is not only safe, but also that it stays in the best condition to continue to be enjoyed for years to come.
We create exciting playgrounds that help schools to deliver their learning priorities across all ages.
Our playground features encourage children to use their imaginations to have their own adventures in a safe, stimulating and natural setting. Using the act of play to stimulate learning is something that we’re all passionate about.
At TouchWood, we are passionate about building environments that provide maximum opportunities for play and learning. Our school playgrounds are designed and built to deliver amazing and unique play experiences.
The TouchWood team went above and beyond. The new equipment and areas have transformed playtimes and lunchtimes and children are able to play creatively and imaginatively. I love showing people round and wowing them with our play spaces.
From climbing frames and themed structures to mud kitchens and multi-use activity areas, we’ll have a natural, bespoke play solution to meet your schools’ needs.
HANNAH MORE PRIMARY SCHOOL
WE UNDERSTAND THAT YOU’LL WANT A PLAYGROUND THAT WILL:
• Help you to achieve your school priorities
• Constantly inspire, challenge and nurture your children
• Set your school apart from the rest
• Work for you whatever the weather
• Be open to new developments as your priorities change
• Be safe and long-lasting
• Be affordable
Our first ever playground is still standing strong after 21 years! READ MORE
Encourage children’s connection with natural materials
WE’VE CREATED HUNDREDS OF EXTRAORDINARY PLAYGROUNDS FOR SCHOOLS, LEISURE ATTRACTIONS AND PUBLIC SPACES ACROSS THE UK AND INTERNATIONALLY SINCE 2002.
Our inspiring case studies share how our innovative playgrounds have supported schools to create amazing play spaces for their students, enhancing the curriculum and fostering positive physical and mental wellbeing.
STANLEY GREEN INFANT ACADEMY
TouchWood transformed Stanley Green Infant Academy’s small, feature-lacking playground into a vibrant natural space.
Their vision was to encourage physical activity, creativity, and social interaction among children through diverse play opportunities.
The design catered to primary school children, offering challenges and tailored play features.
The playground was divided into three zones— Natural, Imaginative, and Explorative—meeting EYFS requirements while stimulating children in different ways.
TouchWood completely transformed our outdoor space and created an exciting Early Years outdoor learning space that the children have absolutely loved exploring, navigating and learning in.
Headteacher
STANLEY GREEN INFANT ACADEMY
Key Stages 1&2
Ringwood School collaborated with TouchWood to transform an unused green space into a nature-centric play area.
A fallen tree became a unique climbing frame with den-making opportunities, balance beams, and an interactive Robinia post for exploration. A hand-woven willow pod served as a cosy reading space, and a “build the bridge” feature encouraged teamwork and outdoor learning.
The revitalised space offers diverse play values, fostering active play, imagination, reflection, and handson learning for an enriched educational experience.
HANNAH MORE PRIMARY SCHOOL
Key Stages 1&2
We partnered with Hannah More Primary School to transform their large but underused outdoor area into a vibrant space for play and learning.
Many of this inner city school’s students come from disadvantaged backgrounds, often living in overcrowded flats with little access to outdoor space. The area needed more play elements to be added to allow the children to make the best use of it.
We began the project with a ‘Design for Real’ workshop, engaging staff, students, and governors to identify key needs.
Our final design included a wooden shelter for allweather learning, a storytelling area with a firepit, basket swings, hammocks and nature-focused features like an ant farm and bee hotel, all linked by a gravel path for year-round use.
We all love the new play areas that TouchWood has created. As a school that welcomes children with very varying levels of English, the universal language of play, and the accessibility it offers, are especially important. This is something that the TouchWood team understood so well.”
CROYDE PLAY AREA
Key Stages 1&2
TouchWood wanted to create a play space to reflect a seaside location but also the playful concept of being able to have fun and ‘monkey around with friends’.
This concept led to the bespoke design of a striking central feature of a Monkey Ship in the play space.
The play area includes carved log steps, rigging nets, slides, and fireman’s poles, as well as hidden spaces with portholes and climbing holes for imaginative play.
A bark pit with tactile features like a hollow log and rope balancing elements, along with raised log seating for volleyball spectators, links the play space to the nearby community volleyball pitches.
A community shelter and a basket swing were added to complete the space, offering a seamless, playful experience for visitors of all ages.
Key Stages 1&2
Winford Primary School wanted to bring an imaginative tree house to life in their library.
They envisioned transforming their indoor library into a fairytale world. The goal was not just to create a play space, but an educational tool that would spark a sense of wonder and motivate children aged between 4 and 11 to learn.
The TouchWood team created a unique treehouse centrepiece, along with bespoke tree trunk bookshelf and an immersive sensory environment with specialised lighting and speaker systems.
The result is a new, exciting, and unconventional space for children to learn. The indoor treehouse has become a magical environment that could transport the students into a world of their own, right within the school premises.
Key Stage 3&4/SEND
Purple Oaks Academy supports children with autism and severe learning difficulties. They wanted a space that supported development, independence and social skills.
The playground features a Robinia wood tower cluster connected by a bridge, with climbing walls, a fireman’s pole, slides and a sheltered seating area for quiet moments. A timber tangle provides climbing and balancing challenges, while an inclusive basket swing encourages cooperative play.
Each element was thoughtfully designed to support the Academy’s focus on building confidence and skills in a safe, engaging environment.
At TouchWood, we take pride in our approach to playground projects. From sourcing and processing raw materials to customising designs and ensuring installation meets the highest standards, we handle every aspect with care and professionalism.
Our process begins with understanding our customers’ needs, followed by in-house design that caters to their specifications. We meticulously craft each element of our equipment and site layout, ensuring a unique and bespoke play area for every client.
To guarantee safety and durability, our designs undergo thorough checks by our expert teams. Before construction begins, materials are rigorously inspected to ensure they are of the highest quality.
Throughout the build process, our dedicated supervisors oversee every detail, ensuring materials, equipment, and workmanship exceed expectations. Upon completion, our installations undergo comprehensive quality checks to ensure they meet both our standards and those of our customers.
Upon completion, all of our playgrounds are fully inspected by ROSPA Play Safety, ensuring compliance with all relevant health, safety, and quality standards.
Post-completion, we offer annual maintenance plans to uphold the longevity and safety of the play area.
At TouchWood, we use natural, durable materials to create imaginative and long-lasting play environments. This approach supports children in developing new skills and hobbies while providing a resilient and inspiring space.
To create enduring play environments, we use high-quality, sustainable materials:
Kiln-Dried Larch Boards
Glacial Boulders
Whether you have a live project or the seed of an idea, we’re here to help.
UK-sourced with natural beauty and durability, transitioning from pink to silver over time.
Robinia Roundwood
Highly durable European timber for structural elements, lasting 15-25 years and aging to a golden hue.
Locally-Sourced Oak and Chestnut
Premium hardwoods from within 50 miles of our yard, ensuring sustainability and local sourcing.
Live Willow
Sourced from local UK quarries, offering a range of sizes and types like slate and granite for safety and aesthetics.
Stainless Steel Features
Weather-resistant and low-maintenance fittings for all equipment.
Steel Core Nylon-Bound Ropes
Strong, durable ropes with a natural finish, available in various colours and custom-fit.
Concrete
Used minimally for foundations and structural elements, providing strength and durability.
Safety Surfacing
Crafted by top UK willow artists for engaging, natural play structures and spaces.
Our team is always happy to talk about your ideas and answer any questions you may have about how we work, or offer advice on how best to successfully deliver your project.
Play-grade pea gravel for mobility, and grass matting for blending into the environment while protecting soil and vegetation.
At TouchWood, we’re dedicated to ensuring your playground remains a safe and enjoyable environment for all. We offer a comprehensive Aftercare service designed to support you in maintaining the longevity and safety of your play area.
Our equipment comes with a warranty to provide you with peace of mind regarding its quality and performance.
Full details can be found on the following page.
Maintenance is essential for the sustained functionality of play spaces. While wear and tear are natural signs of a popular and well-used play area, proper management of maintenance is crucial for safety.
We provide guidance on maintaining your play area to ensure its safe operation.
Compliance with safety standards, such as BS EN1176 and recommendations from the Health and Safety Executive, is vital. We strongly recommend an annual inspection by a qualified body like RoSPA to ensure ongoing safety and legal compliance.
Upon completion of installation, we provide you with an inspection and maintenance manual. This manual includes checklists based on our guidelines, enabling you to create your own inspection and maintenance plan.
Many of our clients take advantage of our Annual Maintenance visit, where our experienced team conducts thorough checks to keep your play area in top condition.
By combining this visit with an Annual Play Safety inspection, we ensure your equipment remains compliant with safety standards.
Our dedicated Aftersales team is committed to helping you get the most out of your playground and maintaining its safety for years to come.
We offer a range of different warranties depending on the type of element and timber used. Our main warranties are shown in the table below. ELEMENT
Whether you have a live project or the seed of an idea, we’re here to help.
Our team is always happy to talk about your ideas and answer any questions you may have about how we work, or offer advice on how best to successfully deliver your project.
We hope to work with you on your project.
If you have any questions, please give us a call.
Tel: 0117 963 8222
Bower Ashton Woodyard, Kennel Lodge Road, Bristol BS3 2JT
