Built to last, built here

Every Squirrel Play Tower is designed, manufactured and installed in the UK by ESP Play.

Glulam redwood posts. We build with laminated timber rather than solid sawn posts. Layers of graded redwood are bonded under pressure to create posts that are markedly stronger and far more resistant to splitting than sawn timber, with a smooth, clean finish that’s kinder to small hands and weathers well over years of outdoor use.

FSC sustainable timber, treated properly. Our sawn redwood comes from FSC-certified sustainable sources and is pressure-treated to Use Class 4 — the classification for timber in permanent ground contact , after all cutting, drilling and machining is complete, so no untreated surfaces are left exposed.

Corrosion-resistant fixings. Every nut, bolt, screw and bracket is zinc-plated or stainless steel, chosen for longevity and safety rather than cost.

Vandal-resistant ropes. Where ropes are used, they’re steel-cored polypropylene: bright, hard-wearing and highly resistant to cutting.

Installed by our own teams and guaranteed. Our specialist installation teams handle the work from groundworks to sign-off, and the tower is backed by a substantial guarantee.

Play Tower FAQs

What makes a play tower “commercial grade”?

Equipment for a school, nursery or public park is engineered for a completely different duty cycle to garden equipment. A commercial tower is sized for many children using it simultaneously, all day, every day, for years, and it’s designed, tested and certified against recognised playground standards. Domestic equipment is built to a lighter specification and won’t survive that treatment, which is why it isn’t appropriate for public or educational settings regardless of price.

What standards should outdoor play equipment meet?

In the UK and Europe, playground equipment is governed by BS EN 1176 (equipment and surfacing) and BS EN 1177 (impact-absorbing surfacing). These cover structural integrity, entrapment risks, fall heights, guardrails and more. Ask any supplier for confirmation before you commit, we’re happy to provide ours.

Why does laminated timber matter?

Solid sawn posts move as they dry. They twist, they check, they split along the grain and in a playground those splits become splinter risks and moisture traps. Laminating reverses the stresses in the wood by bonding graded layers together, so the post stays straight and stable. It costs more to manufacture, but it’s the difference between a frame that still looks right in year ten and one that doesn’t.

How much space do we need?

Beyond the tower’s own footprint, you need a clear safety zone free of walls, fences, trees and other equipment. As a rule of thumb this extends at least 1.5m in every direction, with a larger run-out area at the foot of any slide. We survey the site before quoting and confirm the exact area, it’s often less than people fear, and occasionally more.

Can a play tower go on a sloping or awkward site?

Usually, yes. Slopes, drainage runs, tree roots and odd-shaped corners are normal conditions rather than dealbreakers. Because we design and manufacture in-house, we can adjust post lengths, deck arrangements and access points to suit the ground you actually have. A site visit will tell us what’s needed.

What surfacing goes underneath?

Any equipment with a free height of fall above 600mm needs impact-attenuating surfacing throughout its fall zone. The main options are wetpour rubber, rubber mulch, grass matting laid over turf, and loose-fill materials such as bark or wood chip. They differ significantly on cost, drainage, appearance and ongoing maintenance, loose fill is cheapest to install but needs topping up and raking; wet pour costs more upfront and needs almost nothing. We’ll advise based on your site, budget and expected footfall.

What maintenance will we be responsible for?

Three tiers of inspection are recommended. Routine visual checks, carried out frequently, catch obvious hazards like damage, wear or litter. Operational inspections every one to three months look more closely at stability, wear and moving parts. An annual main inspection by a competent person assesses overall structural integrity, paying particular attention to timber at ground level where moisture damage starts. We can carry out inspections for you if you’d rather not manage it in-house.

How long does installation take?

It depends on the scale of the unit and the groundworks and surfacing involved. A single tower on existing surfacing is quick, a full play area with new wet pour takes longer. We’ll give you a firm programme with the quote, and we routinely work around term dates and holiday periods to keep disruption down.

How do schools usually fund play equipment?

Common routes include devolved capital budgets, PE and Sport Premium funding where the scheme supports physical activity outcomes, PTA and community fundraising, grant funding from local trusts and foundations, and, for developments near new housing — Section 106 or CIL contributions held by the local authority. Many projects combine two or three of these. We can help you phase a scheme so it fits the funding you have now with room to extend later.

How do we choose between different tower sizes?

Start with the children rather than the catalogue. Their age and physical confidence set the appropriate platform heights and challenge level; your numbers set the capacity you need; your space sets the outer limit. Bigger isn’t automatically better — an over-ambitious tower that younger children can’t access independently gets less use than a well-matched one. Tell us about your setting and we’ll recommend honestly.

How do we get started?

Get in touch with your site details, the age groups you’re catering for and any budget or timescale you’re working to. We’ll arrange a visit and put together a proposal — for the Squirrel Play Tower alone, or as part of a wider play area design.

Deer Play Tower

The Deer Play Tower is a wide-span, multi-tower timber structure built for the demands of a primary school playground. Its extended layout creates a full play journey from one end to the other, with enough capacity to keep large groups of children active, engaged and moving at break and lunchtime.

Three towers, one continuous route

Three pitched-roof towers are linked by rope bridges and traversing sections, forming a connected circuit at deck level. Primary-aged children respond well to structures with a clear route and a sense of progression, the Deer gives them somewhere to go, a challenge to overcome on the way, and a reason to come back and try a different line the next day.

Graduated physical challenge

Access options include a cargo climbing net, ladder and stepped entry points, each offering a different level of difficulty so children can choose the challenge that suits their confidence and ability. Rope bridge crossings develop balance, core stability and dynamic coordination, while a climbing wall panel builds grip strength and problem-solving. A slide provides a fast, satisfying descent and keeps the flow of play moving.

Broad play value

The Deer supports physical, social, imaginative and cooperative play in a single structure. Bridges and traverses demand focus and body awareness; the width of the structure allows numerous children to play at once without bottlenecks; sheltered tower spaces invite role play, conversation and quieter retreat; and shared routes naturally encourage turn-taking, encouragement and negotiation between peers.

UK manufactured, built for longevity

Made from laminated timber and manufactured in the UK, the Deer is engineered for dimensional stability and a long working life in a demanding open play environment. Laminated sections resist the warping and splitting common to solid timber, keeping maintenance low and total cost of ownership down. Modular construction allows the configuration to be matched to your site, and every Deer Play Tower is manufactured in full compliance with applicable playground safety standards.

The Caterpillar Play Tower is a bright, compact timber play tower designed to pack plenty of play value into a small footprint. Its single-tower format makes it a practical choice for busy playgrounds where space is limited, while its bold colours and engaging design give children plenty of reasons to climb, explore and come back for more. Available in two colour options, the Caterpillar can be tailored to suit different school, nursery and community playground settings.

A range of climbing routes lead children up to the main play deck, where they can pause, look out across the playground and choose their next challenge. The Caterpillar’s bright design brings a playful character to the space. Whether used as a colourful focal point or alongside a wider collection of school playground equipment, it has the distinctive look and feel of an ESP Play timber climbing frame.

Despite its compact footprint, the Caterpillar is designed to keep children active. Climbing, balancing, moving around the tower and choosing different ways to play all help develop physical confidence, coordination and strength, while the raised platform creates a natural space for children to play alongside their friends. Its simple layout makes it easy for children to understand and enjoy, with enough challenge to suit different ages and levels of confidence.

That combination of size, colour and play value makes the Caterpillar particularly useful where every square metre of playground matters. It works well as nursery play equipment, school playground equipment or as part of a larger outdoor play area, offering children an exciting destination without needing the space of a larger multi-tower structure. Its durable construction also makes it well suited to the demands of busy, everyday play.

Like all ESP Play equipment, the Caterpillar Play Tower is manufactured in the UK using laminated timber. Laminated timber is engineered by bonding layers of graded timber under pressure, producing posts that are stronger, straighter and far more resistant to twisting, warping and splitting than solid sawn timber. The result is a frame that holds its shape season after season, with clean lines and a smooth finish that’s kinder to small hands. All timber is pressure-treated for long-term protection against rot and insect attack.

Designed, engineered and built by our own team, the Caterpillar Play Tower is installed by ESP Play and supported by our aftercare service, giving schools, nurseries and community spaces a bright, durable and space-efficient piece of UK playground equipment that’s built to stay busy for years to come.

The Rabbit Play Tower is a twin-tower climbing frame built for busy playgrounds, where children can climb, slide, scramble and race their friends from one deck to the next. Two apex-roofed towers sit at contrasting heights, linked by a raised bridge that turns a simple climb into a full circuit of play and gives children a shaded lookout at the top of each.

Every route in is a different challenge. A timber access ladder offers a straightforward first climb, while the scramble ramp and its knotted rope demand a little more grip and determination. The climbing wall panel rewards problem-solving, and once children reach the top there are two ways down: a wide wave slide, or a steel fireman’s pole for a faster exit. Sturdy barriers and infill panels enclose both decks throughout.

That variety is what keeps the Rabbit in use all break, all year. Younger children build confidence on the steps and ladder; older ones push themselves on the rope ramp and pole. It works equally well in nursery gardens, primary school playgrounds and community parks.

Like all ESP Play equipment, the Rabbit Play Tower is manufactured in the UK using laminated timber. Laminated timber is engineered by bonding layers of graded timber under pressure, producing posts that are stronger, straighter and far more resistant to twisting, warping and splitting than solid sawn timber. The result is a frame that holds its shape season after season, with clean lines and a smooth finish that’s kinder to small hands. All timber is pressure-treated for long-term protection against rot and insect attack.

Designed, engineered and built by our own team, the Rabbit Play Tower is installed by ESP Play and supported by our aftercare service, so your playground stays safe, sound and busy for years to come.