Wintergarden play area unveiled at Bluewater Shopping Centre

Jupiter Play & Leisure, in partnership with Landsec, has transformed Bluewater Shopping Centre’s Wintergarden Play Area in Dartford. The site has been reimagined as an immersive, mushroom-inspired destination designed to spark curiosity, movement and play for families.

Opened in April 2026, the revitalised Wintergarden brings together inclusive design with imaginative play and subtle touches of a garden in bloom. The space creates opportunities for children to explore, connect and let their imaginations run wild.

The vision for the new Wintergarden Play Area began with a design competition among year 6 pupils at Temple Hill Primary School in Dartford. The winning sketch became the seed of the design, initially created by 100 Architects, and was brought to life by Rachel Stanley, Jupiter Play’s Senior Designer & Quantity Surveyor. The pupil’s influence can be seen throughout the final design, with playful shapes, natural textures, and gentle references to the blooming garden inviting storytelling across the site.

James Waugh, Centre Director at Bluewater, said: “The new play park has significantly enhanced our family offering, giving an inclusive play experience that transforms a key area of the centre into an engaging hub for children of all ages and abilities.”