Gwealan Tops Adventure Playground

Gwealan Tops Adventure Playground is a UK-based charity dedicated to promoting play for children, young people, and the wider community. Registered under charity number 1177542, it operates as a staffed adventure playground throughout the year in Cornwall. The organization focuses on supporting free, child-led play in a natural and adventurous environment.

Overview and Mission

The primary purpose of Gwealan Tops is to provide a safe yet stimulating space where children aged 7 to 16 can explore, experiment, and create through play. Emphasizing the benefits of play for social, educational, physical, and emotional wellbeing, the organization delivers a wide range of play activities that include arts and crafts, imaginative play, campfires, building projects, sports, and outdoor experiences.

The playground consists of a large site featuring structured play areas, wild natural zones, garden spaces, and plenty of room for children to roam freely. The environment encourages children to take on challenges and manage risks, helping them develop new skills, build confidence, and deepen their understanding of themselves, others, and the world around them[2][3][4].

Playwork Philosophy

Managed by Bridget Hanscombe and John Fitzpatrick, both experienced playwork trainers, researchers, and writers, Gwealan Tops is grounded in the principles of playwork. This approach recognizes the importance of allowing children to have maximum freedom to direct their own play with minimal adult intervention. Stemming from the historical origins of adventure playgrounds in post-World War II England, these playgrounds are designed as dynamic, evolving spaces where children can construct and manipulate their own play environments using natural materials and elements.

The playwork philosophy adopted by Gwealan Tops supports the idea that children's positive development is enhanced by access to diverse environments and the opportunity to encounter manageable risks. The charity also aligns its work with recognized playwork principles and promotes children’s right to adventurous, sometimes risky play — contributing to the development of resilience and emotional strength through play[2][5].

Activities and Community Impact

Gwealan Tops operates 50 weeks of the year, five days a week, offering varied and flexible play opportunities. The charity maintains a balance between providing structured activities and preserving open-ended play options that foster creativity and independence. The inclusion of campfires, building projects, and outdoor exploration provides practical experiences that enrich the play environment.

In addition to supporting children’s play, Gwealan Tops fosters community engagement by welcoming the wider public and advocating for the critical role of play in childhood development and wellbeing.

See Also

• Adventure playground
• Playwork
• Children’s rights to play

This article provides an overview of the Gwealan Tops Adventure Playground charity, reflecting its role in promoting child development through adventurous play and playwork principles in the UK.

[1] https://gwealantops.org [2] https://www.playfulplaces.co.uk/associate/gwealan-tops-adventure-playground/ [3] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5113949 [4] https://www.farmgarden.org.uk/org/public-profile/80568 [5] https://gwealantops.org/about-us/play-and-playwork/