One of the UK’s biggest free adventure playgrounds to get new £750,000 upgrade

A HUGE adventure park right by the beach is finally getting an upgrade – after works were delayed.

The celebrated its 25th anniversary this year, having opened in 2000.

A free adventure park is getting a £740k upgradeCredit: FHDC Lower Leas Coastal Park is right above the beachCredit: Alamy

However, much of the current equipment is dated, and needs replacing.

Earlier this year, it was confirmed that the park would undergo a massive upgrade costing around £750,000.

This has since been delayed due to a landslide above the park back in February 2024.

This means extra stabilisation work is needed, which is yet to take place.

Previously scheduled to have been finished by this year, it now won’t even start until January 2026.

When this is completed, the park’s makeover can then start which hopes to be by spring 2026.

The upgrades hope to add new equipment as well as changing and accessible facilities, paths and cycle parking.

This means it is unlikely to reopen as a new attraction before next .

Local council member Jeremy Speakman said at the time: “This will be a major investment and we’re working on trying to secure extra funding for the project, so we obviously want to get it right.”

Until then, families can still visit the park for free, which is one of the largest of its kind in the south east.

And the park is set to renovate its huge playground, which is the largest free adventure play park in the South East.

There is a huge pirate-themed area with a shipwreck climbing area as well as slides, tunnels and towers.

For smaller kids, there are sand diggers to play on as well.

Otherwise the park is a short walk down to Mermaid Bay, a stoney beach on the coastline.

It isn’t the only major upgrade Folkestone is getting.

A massive £20million project is transforming the town that was previously named one of the best places to live in the UK.

This includes turning the current bus terminal into a huge central garden.

This hopes to be open to the public by summer 2026.

And the iconic funicular is also set to reopen after being forced to close back in 2017.

The will connect the clifftop to the lower beach area.

Costing £6.6million, it also includes a new cafe area, with plans to open next year as well.

The revamp hopes to be complete by next yearCredit: FHDC