Who made it happen
Artist Pippa Hale, working in collaboration with English Heritage teams, site staff and facilitators.
What was needed
Belsay Hall sought to attract and engage more families while protecting the integrity of its historic interiors. There was also a desire to reframe the site as welcoming, contemporary and playful — particularly for younger visitors — while aligning with wider organisational goals around audience diversification and participation.
What we did
Playshapes introduced a series of large-scale, modular soft tactile forms — including cubes, steps, wedges, cylinders and ramps — made from brightly coloured foam.
The installation was deliberately non-prescriptive, allowing children to direct their own play and experimentation. Staff and facilitators supported safe use while maintaining creative freedom.
Playful™ impact
Playshapes created a lively yet purposeful atmosphere that encouraged families to spend longer at the site and engage more deeply with their visit. By foregrounding play as a form of interpretation, the project lowered barriers to engagement and helped create positive early associations with heritage environments.
The installation also supported earned income through session fees and strengthened perceptions of English Heritage sites as family-friendly, inclusive and contemporary — without compromising their historic significance.
Gallery
