Lilidorei, located at The Alnwick Garden in Northumberland, is officially the world's largest play structure. Built at a cost of £15 million, the park opened in May 2023 and has since drawn visitors from across the UK. The fantastical village is home to fairies, elves, and hobgoblins, and is designed to entertain children up to age 11.
Record-breaking features
The centrepiece is a castle reaching 26 metres high, with 170 metres of rope bridges, ladders, swings, and six slides — the tallest slide is 24 metres. According to the Lilidorei website, the park is ruled by Lord Elfwin, King of Lilidorei, who lives in Elfwin Drin, the biggest play structure in the world. Staff members, known as secret keepers, explain the fictional world and ensure safety.
Visitor experiences
Estimated to keep children entertained for up to three hours, the park also offers food and drink lodges and a gift shop. It is situated within the grounds of Alnwick Castle, used as the exterior for Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films. Adults can attend over-18s nights after dark. One TripAdvisor reviewer wrote: 'The whole experience exceeded all expectations. The staff were incredible, entering into the spirit of the adventure at all times. We were there for 4.5 hours.' Another added: 'Lilidorei is an enchanting place, that feels like a fairytale come to life. The play structure is incredible, and appeals to children’s imaginations & sense of adventure.'
Social media buzz
A TikTok video by @dayoutwiththekids has been liked over 227,000 times, with comments such as 'Sod the kids I want to go' and 'Will it look weird if I, an unmarried, childless grown woman, go alone?'
Opening times for 2026
Lilidorei reopened for 2026 on February 11. Until March 26, it is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm. From March 27 to April 2, hours extend to 5pm. During Easter holidays (April 3-19), it is open daily 10am-6pm. April 20 to May 2 returns to Wednesday-Sunday 10am-5pm, with daily hours during half term.
Ticket prices
Full-day tickets, granting access to both the play park and gardens, start at £20.30 for adults and £16.55 for children. All children must be accompanied by an adult. However, one TripAdvisor review noted: 'Decent, and clever, and well-thought-out... possibly not the greatest in the value for money department.'
