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Reader's Question: Where Was The Arbury Adventure Playground?

Question from Mos:

Hello! I like your site. I live in Campkin Road and I'm interested in the history of the estate of The Arbury. Please can you tell where the Arbury Adventure Playground was? I have never heard of anything called that. I thank you.

Hello, Mos! Thanks for getting in touch. The Arbury Adventure Playground was in the big field out beyond Nun's Way. Arbury residents campaigned to get the field, and the City Council of the time promised facilities for it, but none were forthcoming. So, residents got together and collected for the playground. A real Arbury community effort!

The City Council then provided some funding for staffing, etc.

I've done my best to indicate the spot on the aerial view above - I may be a few feet out as aerial views can confuse me a bit!

I've included pics of the playground through the years below, and also Mrs Lark's account of campaigning for the field and other facilities for Arbury.

Mrs Lark and other residents on Arbury campaigned for the field and the Adventure Playground. Her account from 'Arbury Is Where We Live!' (1981).

      The 'Arbury Goat' and friends at the Playground in 1979.

Arbury children's accounts of the Adventure Playground ('Arbury Is Where We Live!', 1981).

1987 - photo from 'Cambridge Evening News'.


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  1. AnonymousJuly 30, 2022 at 1:21 PM

    I loved playing at the adventure playground in the late 80’s early 90’s the wooden structure was the first “go ape” of its kind! The building had a pool table and other things to keep us entertained. The staff were great and I have the best memories of building dens and at the end of the day going two or three up on the zip wire to get told off. Rebels!

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