The team at Flag Fen wanted to replace their old play equipment with a new play feature that engaged visitors with the special historic significance of Flag Fen. The team specifically wanted to avoid conventional play equipment. We worked closely with all the staff, volunteers and curators to produce a concept design that is as much about a sense of place as play. We were able to satisfy Historic England that the design was suitable for the site and we worked closely with archaeologists during construction to preserve any unearthed artifacts. There are no physical recreations of the bronze age causeway at Flag Fen and as our design included a small section of causeway as part of the play area, volunteers leading tours would stop and show visitors the causeway during construction.

We borrowed from several archaeological finds in the area for the concept including the Must Farm (bronze age stilted village) and the astonishingly well-preserved log boats found near Must Farm. We combined these to form a unique and authentic structure that included stilted bronze age round houses, a replica of a bronze age boat and the all-important causeway replica. Other themes in the play area included water and water plants, fishing nets, ropes and tribal markings.

The project was a great success, the whole team were thrilled with the outcome and visitor feedback has been very positive.