Warwickshire town's play park reopens with nod to past

A play area which has been closed for refurbishment for several months has finally reopened with a total redesign paying homage to local history.

The Mill Gardens play area in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, had been closed since September while the work was carried out but reopened on Christmas Eve.

As well as new play equipment, improvements were also made to the drainage and surface of the site as part of the project undertaken by Warwick District Council.

The authority said it was designed in partnership with Evergreen School "with accessibility in mind", while also paying tribute to Leamington's history.

This included references to its historical association with elephants, including the Three Graces – the three elephants brought to Leamington by famous Victorian trainer Samuel Lockhart.

Slides have been built to resemble the elephants - one in wood and the other in a grey metal.

The council said new signage and picnic benches would also be added to the site in early 2026.

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