Stockeld Park, one of Yorkshire’s premier family attractions, has been awarded the title of the best indoor play venue in the UK. The accolade was announced at this year’s Association of Indoor Play awards, marking a significant triumph for the beloved adventure park located in the heart of Yorkshire.
Every year, Stockeld Park welcomes over 250,000 visitors, drawn by its array of attractions and the standout Playhive. Covering an impressive 20,000 square feet, the Playhive is one of Europe’s largest indoor play areas and features four expansive, interconnected adventure zones themed around Jungle, Space, Sea, and Air. At the centre of this giant circular play space is a 30-foot tower, from which children can access the adventure zones via high walkways and giant slides.
Andrew Newton, the head judge of the Association of Indoor Play, praised the high calibre of this year’s competition. “The competition was incredibly fierce. The level and standard of entries were astonishing, showcasing the remarkable talent and innovation within our industry. It was a true challenge to select the winner from such an impressive pool of nominees,” Newton remarked, highlighting the exceptional quality that led to the Playhive’s victory.
This year’s awards were particularly notable as they were the first industry-specific awards since 2018, focusing on celebrating innovation and excellence within the indoor play sector.
Susie Grant, director at Stockeld Park and the visionary behind the Playhive, expressed her delight at receiving the award. “We are absolutely delighted to have been recognised as Britain’s best indoor play venue at this year’s awards. There is no doubt the Playhive is a very unique play space that was several years in the making, and the product of a huge amount of hard work by a great many people both here at Stockeld and beyond. I would like to thank every single person who has made this incredible achievement possible.”
Peter Grant, Stockeld’s owner and the driving force behind the design and creation of the Playhive, also reflected on the significance of the award. “Winning this award means a huge amount to everyone here at Stockeld. There really is nothing like the Playhive anywhere, and we are so pleased to have the innovation and hard work that went into this enterprise recognised in this way.”
The recognition of the Playhive adds to a series of recent successes for Stockeld Park. The park is now listed as one of the top five theme parks in the UK on TripAdvisor, with visitors frequently praising the variety of activities available, the friendliness of the staff, and the park’s exceptional cleanliness.
As Stockeld Park continues to innovate and expand, its latest accolade as the UK’s best indoor play venue cements its status as a must-visit destination for families seeking a fun and adventurous day out.
