Check out our new play equipment at Highlands End!

Where else would you get a children’s play area, with a view like this and with its own unique fire engine? Only at Highlands End – Dorset’s Holiday Park of the Year.

In August last year, the park was busy as ever and we were already planning our 2020 season. This is our 50^th season as a family run holiday park.  Over the last few years we had built a new play area next to Martin’s Bar & Restaurant and also opened our new soft indoor play area ‘The Little Fire Engine’. So as the sun was shining on a glorious summer’s day I thought it was time we looked at upgrading our play area. This is situated next to the touring and camping area, close to the coast path.

After a few phone calls, visits by suppliers, measuring areas and ideas reviewed, by October we had a plan. And totally by chance we decided to fit in with all our other fire memorabilia at Highlands, and have our own life size play fire engine!

Construction of the new play equipment

Working with Cathy, PJ and their team at ‘Outdoor Play People’ on a damp day in December the work started. To say we had a new mud bath is an understatement. I think we decided to build a play area, on a cliff top, in the wettest and windiest December and January we have had for a while.

But by the end of January, we had our Bespoke Fire Engine and Fire Station Themed Play Frame complete. Including tower platforms, fireman’s poles, tube slide, V-net bridge, ladder bars. There is also a fire rescue training platform with a vertical climbing wall. And if this wasn’t enough, we have new swings including a Birds Nest Swing.

All of this is suitable for ‘Fire Fighters’ aged 5 to 14. Remember that younger Fire Fighters do need a more experienced Station Officer to accompany them at all times.

Indoor firefighter treats

You can make your visit even more firefighter themed indoors our younger visitors. We have lots of children’s fire helmets, the new Blaze Bear, Bags, Fire Engine Mugs and Toys available at the Park Shop ‘The Cowshed’. In Martin’s Restaurant we have our new Mini Firefighter Meals including Fireman Theo’s Bolognese and Station Officer Joe’s Chicken Nuggets.