Zoe Chamberlain

Six normally restricted Birmingham-area venues will open to the public during Birmingham Heritage Week from September 11 to 20, 2026. The programme includes the former Birmingham Municipal Bank vaults beneath The Exchange, St Martin in the Bull Ring’s bell-ringing chamber, the Birmingham Buddhist Temple and Dhamma Talaka Peace Pagoda, Mondelez International’s historic concert hall, the Serbian Orthodox Church of the Holy Prince Lazar, and Sutton Coldfield Masonic Hall. Visits are free, though some events require booking, and activities include exhibitions, tours, presentations and live music.

Safeside, an immersive safety village in Nechells operated by West Midlands Fire Service, gives children practical experience dealing with road, water, fire, electrical and personal safety risks. Year 5 pupils from Lift Four Dwellings Primary School took part in realistic scenarios involving emergency calls, safe routes, house fires and staying safe at home and in the community. The programme also develops independence, financial awareness, responsibility and decision-making, with the school and Safeside highlighting the value of practising responses to danger in a controlled environment.

Zoe Chamberlain recommends family activities and attractions in and around Birmingham, including Webbs’ Flora Fields dahlia display, free Bluey encounters in Solihull, discounted Thinktank tickets, tours of Birmingham Museum’s Collection Store and remaining Birmingham Heritage Week events. She also previews Drayton Manor’s 2026 Magical Christmas event, highlights affordable school shoes, profiles baby-signing teacher Rowan Lowe and invites parents to share GCSE-results celebrations.

Rowan Lowe, a Bearwood mother, runs Sing and Sign Birmingham, delivering ten weekly baby-signing classes to around 100 families each term. After seeing the benefits of signing with her daughter, she launched the business in September 2024 following a career in fundraising and marketing. The classes use songs, rhymes and activities to teach more than 100 signs while helping parents communicate with their babies, reduce frustration and support language development. The business began with 25 families across five classes and was ranked 12th in Club Hub UK's 2026 Top 100 Children’s Activity Providers, making Lowe the highest-ranked baby-signing teacher in the Midlands.

Drayton Manor's Magical Christmas event will run on selected dates from November 28 through Christmas Eve 2026. Its main attraction is a 30-metre illuminated water-screen show featuring projections, fire, music and more than 65 water jets. Visitors will also have access to Thomas Land rides, festive railway journeys, marshmallow toasting, musical performances, an Aladdin pantomime and a Father Christmas grotto. An accessible SEND Grotto will offer quieter, sensory-friendly visits every Saturday. Early-booking tickets start at £22.50, with additional festive activities available from £5.

Brindleyplace will host a free Record and Makers Market on August 29, featuring 12 vinyl stalls alongside artwork and gifts from independent makers. An artisan market will take place on August 27, with further markets scheduled for September. The Brindleyplace fountain is empty because it is undergoing cleaning and maintenance and is expected to be refilled on August 19. The article also highlights family activities at the nearby Ikon Gallery.

Two Birmingham Heritage Week events—the New Street Station-to-Mailbox mail tunnel tour on September 16 and a Victoria Law Courts tour on September 17—are free but require entry into ticket ballots because of high demand. The tunnel tour involves difficult terrain, safety clothing and age restrictions, while the law courts tour includes strict security checks and may not provide access to a heritage courtroom if proceedings are continuing. Both ballots close at midday on August 26, 2026.

Birmingham Museum Collection Centre in Nechells, which houses around 800,000 items across 26 storage bays, will open to the public for a special one-day event on Saturday, September 12, during Birmingham Heritage Week. Visitors can see vehicles, taxidermy, toys, clothing, sculptures and other artefacts, attend guided talks, meet conservation and curatorial staff, and view objects being unboxed. Tickets are discounted for the event, with a café and free vintage bus transport from Birmingham city centre also available.

Tickets for Birmingham Heritage Week go on sale on August 15, 2026, offering hundreds of free or discounted opportunities from September 11 to 20. Visitors can tour normally restricted sites and attractions, including Selly Manor, National Trust properties, Birmingham Council House, Moseley Road Baths, New Street station tunnels, the Dhamma Talaka Peace Pagoda, Tyseley railway depot, museums, gardens, schools and fire stations. Most activities require advance booking, with the festival supported by Birmingham Museums Trust, the National Trust, the University of Birmingham and Birmingham Municipal Charity.

Photographs document the extensive damage caused by a major fire that began in Stourbridge on August 13 and continued into August 14, prompting a Major Incident declaration. Homes and other properties were damaged, residents were evacuated, and smoke spread over the area. Around 60 firefighters attended, with several people, including a child and three firefighters, treated in hospital. A rescue centre was established at Stourbridge Town Hall while crews continued efforts to contain the blaze.

Restaurants and cafés across Birmingham and the West Midlands are offering A-level students free food and discounts on results day, provided they show official results and, in some cases, student identification or promotional codes. Offers include free chicken or starters at Nando’s and Slim Chickens, a free main meal at Ask Italian, free starters and desserts at Frankie & Benny’s and Las Iguanas, free iced matcha at Bird & Blend, and a free dessert at Bill’s.

H&M Home is undergoing renovations at Birmingham’s Bullring, where red hoardings tease that “something new is coming.” The store remains open on the lower and middle levels while the upgrade takes place. H&M Home currently occupies more than 500 square metres and sells furniture, lighting and homeware, including curated items from other brands. The announcement follows the opening of a Bratz and LOL pop-up at the shopping centre.

A-level Results Day in the UK will take place on Thursday, August 13, 2026, with results available from 8am at sixth forms and colleges. A-levels use letter grades from A* to E, while U indicates an ungraded result; universities and employers may require at least a C. Students who miss their university offer, or perform better than expected, can use UCAS Clearing to find available courses until October 19. Psychologist Dr Marguerita Magennis advises parents to manage their own anxiety and provide unconditional support regardless of the results.

GCSE results day in 2026 will be Thursday 20 August, with most schools making results available from 8am. The numerical grading system runs from 9, the highest grade, to 1, while U remains ungraded; grade 4 is considered a standard pass and grade 5 a strong pass. Students who miss their expected grades are advised to speak with their sixth form or college, consider resits, alternative courses or apprenticeships, and use the National Careers Service for guidance. English and maths can be retaken in autumn 2026, while other subjects can be retaken in summer 2027.

Telford Town Park, around 40–45 minutes from Birmingham, offers free family attractions including a large play area, summer water park, accessible facilities, sports courts, gardens, lakes and nature trails. Its free or low-cost outdoor cinema programme includes screenings of Encanto, Rio 2, Wicked and Matilda during August 2026, with advance booking required. Visitors can also pay for activities such as adventure golf, high ropes, climbing and zip wires, while nearby Telford provides additional entertainment options.

Mary Arden’s Farm in Wilmcote, near Stratford-upon-Avon, will open to the public for a special Community Open Day on August 15, 2026, after closing to regular visitors in August 2024 because of financial constraints and low visitor numbers. Tickets cost £5 for adults and £1 for children, with activities including craft sessions, rare-breed animals, farmhouse tours and Tudor games. Only 700 tickets are available, and proceeds will support the farm’s care and maintenance. The site is operated as a learning centre by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust and is accessible by train from Birmingham.

Birmingham’s National Trust Back-to-Backs museum will offer free entry on Saturday, September 12, 2026, as part of Birmingham Heritage Week. The attraction, which normally charges £12 for adults, £6 for children and £30 for families, will open Court 15 and its back-to-back houses, with volunteers available to explain their history. Visitors can also see the “From Around Here” exhibition created by Birmingham City University students. Advance booking is required, with time slots released on the Birmingham Heritage Week website from August 15.

Moseley Ice House, a well-preserved 18th-century structure in normally private Moseley Park, will open to the public for free on September 19 and 20, 2026, during Birmingham Heritage Week. Visitors can also see Moseley Hall Dovecote and Garden, learn how the ice house stored ice for the hall, and explore the park without booking. The article also provides directions and public transport information.

Selly Manor Museum in Bournville will waive admission fees on September 12, 2026, from 10am to 4pm, as part of Birmingham Heritage Week. Visitors can explore the Tudor manor and Minworth Greaves medieval hall, take part in family activities, view a Bournville heritage exhibition and attend without booking. The event is organized by Bournville Village Trust and Selly Manor Museum.

MCM Comic Con returns to Birmingham NEC from August 7 to 9, 2026, with gaming, anime, comics, celebrity panels, cosplay, live performances and family activities. Children aged five to 10 can attend for £7, while children aged four and under enter free with an adult ticket holder. Featured guests include Khary Payton, Charlie Cox, Deborah Ann Woll and Bryce Papenbrook.

Birmingham Heritage Week 2026 will run from September 11 to 20, offering free open days, tours and walks at hundreds of places that are usually closed to the public, along with free access to selected paid attractions. Programme listings become available on August 8, with free ticket bookings opening on August 15; advance booking is required and places are expected to fill quickly. Confirmed events include Council House tours, Tyseley depot tours, Moseley Road Baths hard-hat tours, building tours of the Birmingham School of Art and School of Jewellery, visits to St Mary’s Convent, and open days at New Hall Mill. The event is supported by Birmingham Museums Trust, the National Trust, the University of Birmingham and Birmingham Municipal Charity.

Drayton Manor has expanded its discounted children's ticket offer for the school summer holidays. Children aged two to 11 can visit for £14, while adult tickets are available from £25.80 under the Great British Summer Savings scheme. The offer is available online and runs until the end of August, with the park featuring more than 50 rides and attractions, Thomas Land and a 15-acre zoo.

Becketts Farm in Wythall is hosting a free Sunflower Field Summer Garden Party every day from August 1 to 31. Visitors can enjoy flower-field photo opportunities, garden games, food, drinks, ice creams and barbecues, with no tickets required. The farm advises visitors to see both sunflower fields because the primary field has not grown as well as expected. The event is supporting Solihull-based charity Social Life Opportunities, which provides social, leisure and independence-building services for people with learning disabilities.

Lola's Cupcakes has opened a collection locker on the Upper Mall at Merry Hill, near Argos. Customers can order cupcakes, brownies and celebration treats online and select a collection time. The locker launch coincides with the brand's 20th anniversary, and local customers have responded enthusiastically, with some suggesting cake dates and picnics.

Sandwell & Birmingham Mela will take place on 26 July 2026 at Victoria Park in Smethwick, with more than 50,000 visitors expected and advance tickets priced at £3. The festival will feature over 150 artists, including Prem Dhillon, Sabba, Khushi Baliyan, Nirmal Sidhu, Oye Kunaal and Nav Sidhu, alongside dancers, DJs and a live band. Visitors can explore food, shopping, arts, fairground and family zones across the site, including more than 100 stalls and 30 food outlets.

Sphere Group has submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment Scoping Report to Birmingham City Council outlining early redevelopment plans for the former Rackhams House of Fraser site and adjacent Temple Row properties. The proposals form part of the broader Birmingham Central Heart vision to regenerate underused retail and office space, including up to 650 homes, extensive office space, ground-floor retail and improved public areas. Managing director Thomas Taylor said detailed plans will follow later in the summer for public consultation before a full planning application is submitted.

A new Meggi Lashes beauty vending machine at The Fort Shopping Park in Birmingham is drawing significant public interest, offering various lash and beauty products created by local entrepreneur Meggie Morgan. The brand has rapidly expanded across the UK, gaining a large TikTok following, while The Fort highlights the machine's popularity and accessibility for local shoppers.

Sand Bay, a quieter beach just north of Weston-super-Mare, offers a wide sandy shoreline, year-round dog access, and access to scenic coastal walks around Sand Point and Middle Hope. The area provides views across the Bristol Channel and can be reached from Birmingham in about two hours by car. Local amenities include car parks, tea rooms, and nearby accommodation options such as Bali Hai and Minime.

Parents in Birmingham are offered guidance on affordable and local summer holiday activities, including the return of Birmingham Beach, free events at Merry Hill and New Square, and discounted access to Farmarama. Additional suggestions include beaches within driving distance and wellness activities from local entrepreneur Jessica Brown. The piece encourages families to explore cost‑effective options across the West Midlands during the school break.

Birmingham Mela, expected to draw over 50,000 visitors, will take place on July 26 at Victoria Park, Smethwick, accompanied by extensive road closures issued by Sandwell Council. Access to the event will be restricted, with public transport strongly encouraged, including nearby rail stations and several bus routes. Limited parking will be available at the park for a fee, and roadside parking will be heavily constrained. Visitors are advised to allow extra travel time and avoid blocking residential access.

Edgbaston Reservoir served as a popular makeshift beach for Birmingham residents in the 1970s, with photos showing people sunbathing, paddling and fishing during hot summers, including the 1976 heatwave. Originally a small pool expanded by Thomas Telford in 1827 to support the canal network, it later became Rotton Park Reservoir before taking its current name. Now a 70‑acre Local Nature Reserve, it continues to offer leisure activities and remains protected by the Friends of the Reservoir group.

A family-friendly Colour Run will take place on August 1 in Sandwell Valley Country Park, offering 3km and 5km routes with six paint stations and encouraging participants to raise money for the West Bromwich Albion Foundation without a minimum target. The event coincides with the Sandwell Festival, featuring entertainment, activities and food stalls, with registration starting at 11am and the run at 12pm. Entry fees include a paint pack, T‑shirt and medal.

Droitwich Spa offers a free summer fairy tale trail featuring ten illustrated shop windows created to celebrate the National Year of Reading. Families can collect activity books, complete the trail, and receive a free book at the library. The town also highlights its independent shops, outdoor attractions, and easy access from Birmingham.

A red panda cub has been born at West Midlands Safari Park, marking the fourth successful birth in recent years and supporting wider conservation efforts for the endangered species. The cub, born to parents Mei Lin and Sanka, will remain in the nest box under its mother’s care for several months while keepers monitor progress from a distance. The park participates in the EAZA breeding programme, supports the Red Panda Network and highlights ongoing threats to the species from habitat loss, poaching and illegal trade.

Sandwell Valley Country Park will host the free Sandwell Summer Festival on August 1, offering live music, sports activities, theatre shows, play zones, and a food village. The event coincides with ‘Blind Dave’ Heeley’s Colour Run, which requires a paid entry and adds to the festivities. Although admission to the festival is free, attendees must book tickets in advance. The celebration supports National Playday and features additional attractions including an adventure playground and woodland areas.

Merry Hill’s Artisan Market will return on August 9, offering arts, crafts and produce from local small businesses as part of the centre’s summer activities. The event concludes the Game On festival, which provides free sports and gaming sessions for children. Families can also access various dining offers and discounted cinema tickets, with centre manager Jonathan Poole highlighting the wide range of entertainment options available throughout the holidays.

A roundup of free summer holiday activities across Birmingham highlights beaches, trails, outdoor cinema, festivals, splash pads, and community events available throughout July and August. Several Midlands towns offer additional free attractions including hot air balloon festivals and lakeside beaches. Shopping centres and parks host family-focused entertainment, while citywide festivals and themed trails add cultural experiences. Multiple organizations support events, and families are encouraged to explore free playgrounds, splash pads, and holiday clubs across the region.

Jessica Brown founded Wild Fox Yoga after recovering from breast cancer, leaving a PR career to focus on healing and supporting others. She now runs lakeside yoga, wild swimming, sauna and ice bath sessions in Wootton Wawen, creating a welcoming community aimed at wellbeing and connection. Her family contributes to the growing venture, and she also hosts sound bath events at local venues.

Weymouth is highlighted as a beach destination offering a California-like atmosphere with golden sands, clear waters and beach volleyball, supported by its role hosting the UK Beach Tour Grand Slam. The town blends American-style beach sports with traditional British seaside attractions, alongside year-round activities and a historic harbour. Travel times from Birmingham are provided, and local accommodation options including 3 By the Sea and Alpaca Cottage are recommended for overnight stays.

An eight‑year‑old Birmingham schoolboy, Jayce Joyce, has earned a Guinness World Record as the youngest editor of a published anthology after leading the creation of a 20‑story child‑written book, Our Stories Our World. The project has evolved into a nationwide child‑led literacy movement promoting creativity, confidence and inclusion. Jayce, already a published author at four and a Mensa member, continues to champion early literacy through workshops, festivals and school visits. His achievements come amid declining reading enjoyment among UK children, with experts citing rising screen time as a key factor. Jayce encourages young people to write and take part in a new competition for next year’s anthology, supported by national recognition including a Blue Peter Gold Badge and a congratulatory letter from Queen Camilla.

A range of manmade beaches and summer attractions around Birmingham offer free or low‑cost family activities from mid‑July through August 2026. Locations include Digbeth’s Birmingham Beach, Northfield Beach, Touchwood in Solihull, New Square in West Bromwich, Farmarama in Burton, Nottingham Beach and lakeside beaches in Leicestershire and Gloucestershire. Events feature sand areas, paddling pools, funfairs, music, themed activities and community programming, with some venues providing discounts or additional perks for visitors.

West Bromwich’s New Square Shopping Centre is bringing back its manmade summer beach from July 20 to August 30, offering free activities including crazy golf, Toy Story-themed events, face painting and special family sessions. Families can also enter a social media competition for a gift card, while fairground rides will be available for a small fee supporting the West Bromwich Albion Foundation.

Birmingham Beach returns for summer 2026 in a new Digbeth High Street location, offering a free sandy beach, funfair rides, food stalls and family activities throughout the school holidays from July 17 to August 31. Families welcome its central, easily accessible site after previous years in Pype Hayes Park and Smithfield. Danter Attractions oversees preparations, promising more features as installation continues.

Birmingham Weekender will return from August 29 to 31 as a free city‑centre festival expected to attract more than 100,000 visitors, featuring performances and installations from local, national and international artists. Iconic locations such as Bullring, Victoria Square and New Street Station will be transformed for large‑scale spectacles and accessible cultural experiences. Supported by Bullring, HSBC UK and produced by Birmingham Hippodrome, the event will showcase global and local creative work with accessibility measures including BSL interpretation, audio description and dedicated access hosts.

Mockingbird Cinema in Digbeth is offering tickets to watch the England v Norway World Cup match for £9.95 including two drink vouchers, with children’s tickets priced at £5.95. Additional drinks cost £5, and the venue highlights its large screen and family-friendly setting. Doors open at 9pm ahead of the 10pm kick-off, with other Digbeth venues also hosting screenings.

Farmarama returns to the National Forest Adventure Farm in Tatenhill with an expanded beach-themed setup featuring a doubled sandy beach, five large paddling pools, seaside shows, craft activities and multiple family attractions. Visitors can access discounted tickets through the Government’s Great British Summer Savings scheme and receive a free return visit if attending before August 23. The event runs daily from July 18 to September 1 and includes access to numerous farm activities, food stalls, new features such as a crepe stand and a large maize maze.

Merry Hill is launching a two‑week Game On festival offering free daily children’s activities during the school holidays, featuring football sessions with West Bromwich Albion, cricket skills with Worcestershire Cricket Club, gaming zones, martial arts, boxing demonstrations and other sports‑themed events running from July 27 to August 9 in the shopping centre’s Central Event Space.

Ashby Leisure Centre’s outdoor pool near Birmingham warned that all outdoor swim slots for July 10 and 11 are fully booked ahead of a heatwave, with limited availability on July 12. The lido, popular during hot weather, urged visitors to book online due to busy phone lines. The piece also highlights alternative places around Birmingham to cool off, including pools, splash pads and lakeside beaches, and advises safety measures such as hydration and sunscreen.

A new independent record shop, 3 Phase Records, has opened on Loveday Street in Birmingham’s Gun Quarter. Founded by DJ and entrepreneur Tom Berry after growing an online business, the shop offers more than 5,000 vinyl records across two floors, specialising in underground electronic music and rare releases. The opening drew visitors from across the UK, and the store features listening stations and specialist merchandise aimed at fostering a community atmosphere for music collectors.

A free manmade beach and a programme of family-friendly events will return to Touchwood Shopping Centre in Solihull from July 18 to August 31. The Touchwood Summer Sessions will feature entertainment such as DJ sets, themed parties, arts and crafts, author events, and charity activities, alongside a separately ticketed Dinosaur Show at The Core Theatre.

Two Birmingham sisters, Olivia and Tanyka Davson, created Cubbi, a discount app designed to help parents manage the financial pressures of pregnancy and early parenthood. The app partners with major brands to offer savings on baby essentials, food, beauty and everyday purchases, and has grown quickly following viral interest and investment from Dragon’s Den entrepreneur Susie Ma. Built from the sisters’ personal experiences, Cubbi aims to ease routine spending during parental leave and plans to expand support for parents with older children and add features for local independent discounts.

Birmingham families are offered several free or low-cost activities, including a new Snoopy-themed Wild in Art trail, a £1 charity clearance outlet in West Bromwich, free opening‑weekend access to Kenilworth’s new swimming pool, and a Severn Valley Railway promotion offering a free return ticket with purchase. Additional highlights include neighbourhood explorations, a forthcoming forest music festival in Sutton Coldfield, and the story of a Moseley mother who opened a Pilates studio after overcoming health challenges.

The Billesley Rock Club in Birmingham has closed due to unexpectedly high refurbishment costs and rising operating expenses. Owners expressed shock and sadness over the sudden shutdown, thanking the community for its support. Musicians and regulars described the venue as a vital part of the Midlands live music scene and voiced hope that its legacy might continue elsewhere.

Pupils at Oasis Academy Woodview in Edgbaston transformed derelict land into an educational garden featuring historical elements such as a Stonehenge replica, a Roman road and a Viking ship. Supported by Roots to Fruit and National Lottery funding, the project integrates science and history with hands‑on learning and offers outdoor access to children who lack garden space at home. The garden is widely used by students, staff and families, has earned a Gold Award from the West Midlands Grow & Garden Awards and hosts community events including workshops aimed at strengthening bonds between children and male role models.

Oswestry is presented as a family‑friendly market town with independent shops, attractions and an annual free hot air balloon carnival taking place on August 22–23, 2026. The event, organised by Nightingale House Hospice, Oswestry Town Council and Oswestry BID, features more than twenty balloons, food stalls, live entertainment and activities across Cae Glas Park. Additional local attractions include Cambrian Heritage Railways and the British Ironworks Centre, and travel guidance is provided for visitors from Birmingham.

Rutland Water Beach, a free Blue Flag site popular with Birmingham visitors, becomes extremely busy during hot weather and school holidays. Anglian Water warns that overflow car parks may be used during peak times, limiting main car park access to Blue Badge holders. Visitors are advised to prepare for long walks from overflow areas and have payment ready to ease traffic flow. The beach operates seasonally with lifeguards on duty, and parking fees vary depending on duration.

New rules under the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act will require all schools in England to limit compulsory branded uniform items to three from September, aiming to reduce financial pressures on families. The legislation also expands cost‑of‑living support, including wider access to free school meals and an increase in free breakfast clubs. Government officials and parent advocacy groups say the measures will help reduce educational cost barriers and support working families.

Northfield Beach will return to Victoria Common in Birmingham from July 23 to 26, offering a free four‑day programme of live music, performances, arts, crafts and family activities. The event, organised by Northfield Community Partnership, resumes following its 2024 cancellation and successful 2025 revival, contributing to a broader lineup of free summer activities across the city.

A Solihull mother, Jenny Charman, has introduced a 50p school-uniform rail at her Kids2Kids Preloved shop in Shirley to support families facing last‑minute clothing needs before summer break. The initiative offers inexpensive uniform items and pumps, regularly restocked as donations come in. Charman promotes pre‑loved shopping as a normal and accessible option and runs the store with family support, providing clothing, costumes, and a children’s activity corner for local families.

A returning family festival at Rode Hall Estate introduces 13 new themed spaces, expanded performances and a refreshed layout following a planned year off. The 2026 programme features diverse music acts, creative workshops, immersive storytelling, family activities and a redesigned Carnival of the Animals. New sustainability initiatives include a challenge encouraging locally sourced food and festival merchandise made from repurposed garments.

Bullring has teased a new “legendary” development for Grand Central Birmingham, with black hoarding now surrounding the former John Lewis site. The move follows years of uncertainty after an earlier plan, The Drum, announced in 2023, saw no visible progress. Bullring’s social media post inviting guesses has sparked widespread public speculation ranging from major retailers to entertainment venues. Several shops have recently closed in Grand Central, and part of the site temporarily housed a Lee Child exhibition. BirminghamLive has requested updated details from owner Hammerson and awaits confirmation on the future of the space.

Hundreds of free school holiday clubs open across Birmingham through the Bring It On Brum and Holiday Activities and Food programmes, offering activities and healthy meals for eligible children receiving benefit-related free school meals. Run by Birmingham City Council and StreetGames, the initiative supports families and aims to address challenges faced by young people in underserved communities, with bookings available using school-issued codes.

A new outdoor toddler play area designed for children aged zero to four is being added to Hockerhill Adventure Playbarn in Brewood, Staffordshire. The development includes shaded areas, age‑appropriate play features and a relocated sandpit. Construction begins in June 2026 and is expected to finish by mid‑July with minimal disruption. Designed by CAP.CO, the expansion aims to enhance play opportunities for younger children while complementing existing attractions such as bridges, tunnels, slides and pedal go‑karts.