It wasn’t raining the other week when we visited WhizzKidz In Thame and on the way there I remembered Thame Play park. Mostly because we drove past it. I’ve always wanted to check it out so that’s just what myself and Elliot did. The park is known as Queen Elizabeth circle recreation area but that’s a bloody mouthful.
Thame Play Park
If you have driven through Thame before then you’ll have likely driven passed this play park. You can see it from the main road and it’s pretty big. Well you can’t park on the main road so we headed into the estate and parked up.
Its a lot bigger than it looks and that was big. I also didn’t notice that it was opposite a skate park. Probably because it was on the other side of the road and i was too busy looking at the play park all the times we’ve driven passed.
So off me and Elliot went in search of the park entrance. Didn’t take us long and straight up the path from there we found our first set of play equipment and a small out door gym.
Its pretty clear that this play park gets a lot of use. Its pretty worn down in areas and in need of a refresh but I couldn’t see anything dangerous to start with. Certainly nothing to stop Elliot from having fun anyway.
What’s In Thame Play Park?
So the first set of play park equipment we came across was as I would call it. The cool stuff. You have a weird tyre seesaw which probably would have worked better with 2 kids similar in weight. Not a toddler and his mother with an unhealthy obsession with cake.
Then they have the swingy, spinny, rotating seesaw. Again same issue with the weight difference but it can be used solo. Elliot was a bit too short to push me so i had to push him (Adulting sucks)
There are plenty of swings including one of those witches hat swings that look fuck all like a witches hat but more like an upside down Kippah (go google it). There was also a circle of swings. I love this style because the kids can all face each other and chat. Or in my kids case probably thrown stones at each other.
You then have the main climbing frame with the tunnel slide. Love a tunnel slide. Its not the easiest to climb up for little ones though. Guess that could be seen as good or bad. Luckily Elliot just about managed. I climbed to the top of the hill to get a better photo and that when i noticed the other play area!
The Other Play Area
Just as I was starting to form my opinion of how shit this park is for little ones I spot the toddler park. Thank fuck it was over a hill though. I didn’t want Elliot seeing it because it had a huge sand pit play area and I couldn’t be arsed with sand in every crack.
From where i was stood it again like the rest looked fun but a bit run down. The sand was everywhere. (Not in Elliot crack though thank god) It is fully fenced in though and enough of a distance away from the older area that the smaller ones are less likely to whinge about the tunnel slide.
Its got another one of them swings, A roundabout, 2 slides. Both leading into the sandpit and a couple of little houses and a small climbing frame.
If you cant be arsed with sand then don’t enter this area there’s just no escaping it. However if you do want sand take a bucket and spade, sit back on one of the benches and watch your toddler flick sand into their hair and other kids eyeballs.
More Equipment
To the side of the older kids climbing frame is my personal favourite piece of equipment and that’s the giant rope snake. There’s one in Croughton play park too. I always have a go because I can stand up on them. Annoyingly Elliot didn’t want to play so i just looked like a tit on my own.
Elliot had fucked off to the zip wire. Another good point with Thame play park is how separate the zip wire is from the rest. We all know how a toddler loves to hurtle themselves into the path of high speeding objects. Its a fast one and bloody high up too.
Near to the zip wire was the spider web. Elliot’s particular favourite today. He loves climbing ever since we visited Clip ‘N Climb in Bicester. This cargo web also has 2 stone climbing walls attached too. Double the fun or double the chance of falling (whichever way you look at it)
By this point Elliot had spotted the skate park on the other side of the road. It was time to have a nosey. I wasn’t going to bother at first but i saw some lads over there and they looked like they were doing some nifty tricks. Plus it would shut Elliot up from whining.
Thame Skate Park
To get to the skate park from the play park is pretty easy. There’s an entrance about halfway and then a crossing (Green man one. Cant remember what they’re called).
Once you cross you’re there and boy is the skate park pretty cool looking. Don’t get me wrong I’m no expert on skate parks so for all i know it could be a shit one but as far as i was concerned it was aesthetically pleasing.
There were only 2 lads using the skate park which meant i let Elliot have a little run round. he loves running round skate parks. Up and down the ramps. He was even trying to copy the lads doing tricks which made me think of getting him a skate board for Christmas. Probably a bad idea but hey can always try.
I’m again not massively clear on parking the car if you plan to just visit here but there is a football club close by which may have parking facilitlies but don’t take my word for it. Its best to check first.
Thame Play Park Stats:
Distance from Bicester: 26 mins
Sat nav: Roundhead Dr, Thame (This is where I parked) Click to load sat nav
Wheelchair friendly: Yes
Equipment upkeep: 7/10
Cleanliness: 8/10
Facilities: No cafe or toilets that I could see
Age range: All ages
Safety: 8/10
Fun factor: 10/10
Dog friendly: yes but on leads
Pushchair Friendly: Yes
Bikes and Scooters: Yes brilliant smooth paths
Public transport: From Bicester North station get the train to Haddenham & Thame Parkway. Then get the 280 to Oxford cc and jump off at queens close and walk about 5 min to the park. Takes around 35/40 mins.
Conclusion
Based on our visit to Thame Play park I’d say its pretty good. One we would definitely revisit again. Especially with Thame skate park opposite.
When we visited the play park we were the only people using it. I can imagine that it’ll be a lot busier on the weekends.
With all the space available it makes it a great place for ball games too in the surrounding fields. Although I wonder how many balls have been booted onto the main road.
Take a picnic and some drinks and you could be set for the day. Even better if you have older kids that can us the skate park alone while you play with the smaller ones. I would say though if its sunny I didn’t see much shelter from the burny bastard in the sky at least not directly over the play area anyway.
AOB
I’m always on the lookout for new play parks to review so if you know of any good ones please do message me. Its easier to message me on the Facebook page HERE
If you’d like to check out more play parks near you then have a look at the Play Parks map HERE
What else is close by: Whizzkidz : Tiggywinkles : Tetsworth Play Park
