Challenge

The Magic Garden at Hampton Court Palace is an imaginative new play garden, designed to encourage discovery and exploration of the palace’s rich history. It was officially opened by HRH The Duchess of Cambridge on 4th May 2016.

Designed by award-winning landscape architect Robert Myers Associates, the play garden keeps families entertained and active with its dragon, battlements, towers and a secret grotto. Set within King Henry VIII’s former Tiltyard where Tudor tournaments were once played out, the Magic Garden is inspired by the fairy tale qualities of the Tudor palace which is adorned with heraldry and mythical beasts and reflects King Henry’s love of hunting. The garden has been designed to create a journey through different levels with its slopes and undulating pathways to give an element of discovery and surprise, providing opportunities for play that will engage and excite both children and adults.

Solution

Addagrip approved contractor, Total Protection (GB) Ltd was appointed by Frosts Landscape Construction Ltd to install 850m2 of resin bound pathways. The design required a smooth, seamless and porous surface that would require low maintenance, while at the same time providing a bright, aesthetically pleasing paving. BBA accredited Terrabound resin bound surfacing was selected in a 3mm natural aggregate Autumn Toffee blend to provide walkways that are comfortable underfoot and suitable for wheelchair access.

The surfacing was undertaken over 3 separate visits and included preparation of the concrete substrate by grinding and pressure washing clear all contaminants and creating the required 12mm depth ready for the resin bound surfacing to be applied. The installation of movement joint edge detail with matching coloured inserts was also installed to correspond with the concrete joints beneath and provide a seamless looking finish to the walkways.

Outcome

The inspirational Magic Garden, which has been 6 years in the making, is now open to the public and marks an exciting new chapter in the palace’s 500 year history, which Addagrip is proud to have been a part of.