London’s forgotten Gulliver to become a playground again
Plans to restore an east London sculpture of Gulliver as a place for children to climb, swing and slide are being announced to mark the 300th anniversary of Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels on 28 October. Heritage of London Trust is working with Tower Hamlets Council to restore the sculpture and return it to use as a place for children to play.
Created by sculptor Trevor Tennant, Gulliver was designed as the centrepiece of a large children’s sandpit. The artist intended for children to scramble, swing, slide and hide behind the giant figure. The play sculpture is an iconic part of the estate but in recent years its condition has deteriorated so that it is no longer the joyful and inspiring centre of the community it once was. Over time, the sand disappeared, and the sculpture was fenced off.
The restoration will bring Gulliver back to life as a place for children to enjoy on the Locksley Estate in Limehouse, 68 years on from its original launch.
The project also offers a chance to rediscover an overlooked chapter in London’s post-war public art history, when the London County Council, through its Patronage of the Arts scheme, brought more than 70 artworks by leading sculptors into new estates and schools across the city. Influenced by the abstract forms of Henry Moore, Tennant’s sculpture reflects an era when playgrounds were being reimagined as places of creative freedom, physical adventure and discovery.
Local schools will visit the restoration project and creative workshop sessions inspired by Swift’s fantastical story about the tiny Lilliputians and their petty squabbles, satirising 18th century politics. Through the Heritage of London’s Proud Places programme, the project will connect literature, art and local history, giving children the chance to engage with heritage not just by looking at it, but by playing on it.
Dr Nicola Stacey, Director of Heritage of London Trust, said: “This restoration is about more than repairing a sculpture. It is about returning a unique piece of the city’s heritage to its community. Its sculptor Trevor Tennant was a leading proponent of imaginative public art after WWII and we hope Gulliver brought back to life will spark creativity and a love of history and literature. We can’t wait to see it all in action.”
Lutfur Rahman, Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets said: “"This project reflects our commitment to investing in our council estates and creating neighbourhoods where residents can thrive. By restoring Gulliver, we are bringing a much-loved community space back into use, giving local children a unique place to play, explore and be creative once again.
"We are proud to be working with Heritage of London Trust to protect an important piece of our borough’s history while investing in the future of our communities. Projects like this show how arts, culture and heritage can enrich everyday life, strengthen local pride and ensure that our estates remain vibrant places for people of all ages. As we mark the 300th anniversary of Gulliver’s Travels, it is wonderful to see this remarkable sculpture inspiring a new generation of young residents."
The restoration will be carried out by London Stone Conservation in the spring of 2027 and will reopen in the same year.
