The Playground set to open new site in Wherstead, outside Ipswich, as long-term replacement for original assault course venue in Barrow, near Bury St Edmunds

A new assault course site is set to open outside a town as a long-term replacement for its original venue.

From the end of May, The Playground will be welcoming visitors to its new venue at Suffolk Food Hall, in Wherstead, outside Ipswich.

The business already has sites in Waterbeach, near Cambridge, and Barrow, near Bury St Edmunds, with the latter lined up to close at the end of September.

It means there will be three Playground venues open over the summer.

Nick Smith, managing director of The Playground, said: “I’m incredibly excited and proud to be launching this third site and what better spot than at Suffolk Food Hall, just off the A14.

“This site will ultimately replace the current Bury course, as part of our longer term strategy to spread The Playground brand across the south east, with additional sites in Norfolk and North London in the pipeline.”

The Playground launched its first course in Barrow in 2016 and opened its second venue in Waterbeach in 2022.

Both courses are 1km long with 30 obstacles, from easier tasks like log leaps and cargo net crawl, to the trickier rope climbs and Ninja Warrior-style warped walls.

The Wherstead venue will also host axe-throwing, laser tag and outdoor boot camp sessions.

Mr Smith said: “Over the past nine years we have welcomed just over 100,000 children and adults through our doors and over our obstacles.

“We absolutely love seeing people step outside of their comfort zones, achieving things they thought they couldn’t and leaving with a massive sense of achievement.

“Our assault courses are deliberately designed to appeal to all ages and abilities, so whatever your fitness level, there’s something for everyone.”

The Playground caters for a variety of events including birthday parties, corporate team-building, sports team, stag and hen parties, and more.