A brand-new play area based on a key period of Coombe Abbey’s history has opened for the school summer holidays.

Hermit’s Hollow, a new fun and engaging play area set deep within the woods of Coombe Abbey Park, has been created by Coventry City Council and is the latest new attraction designed to enhance the visitor experience.

It will be managed by No Ordinary Hospitality Management (NOHM), which also operates Coombe Abbey Hotel and The Avenue at Coombe. Hermit’s Hollow offers a wide variety of adventure play features incorporated into the play structures, allowing visitors young and old to navigate the Hollow’s various bridges, walkways, ramps and tunnels.

Visitors will also find the Hermit’s talking tube to send secret messages to friends, clamber high amongst the treetops on the upper level of the Canopy Spire, or whizz back to the ground on the spiralling tube slide or the accessible-to-all companion slide.

Toddlers have their own mini-adventure to enjoy and accompanying adults or caregivers - when not climbing in the play structures themselves - can enjoy a tasty treat and hot drink from Hermit’s Cafe, which is located within the woodland playground.

The theme of the new play facility is based on a notable period of Coombe’s nearly 900-year history when it was the residence of Princess Elizabeth, daughter of King James I in the early 1600s.

During her time there, the princess was gifted an ‘island’ within the grounds where she ordered the creation of a cottage for a widow and her children, where fowls would be kept, and it was given the appearance of a type of building known as a hermitage.

Tickets for timed slots for Hermit’s Hollow are £3.95 and can be booked online in advance or
at the on-site kiosk. For more information or to book tickets, click here.