Clamber onto a new “woolly” mammoth at Ice Age crags

The play area at the tourist attraction, on the Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire border near Worksop, aims to offer a “unique educational experience” for young visitors.

Learning officer Hannah Tideswell said: “Different people will be able to respond differently to the equipment - that’s what makes it so fantastic.

“We have a story-telling den, a bison, a rhino. They will be able to climb all over the mammoth like a rock wall.”

At present, willow is being grown over the frame of the mammoth, to turn it into a giant living structure.

Ms Tideswell added: “All the feedback we’ve had has been positive.

“It needed to be accessible for all and we think we’ve achieved that.”

Stone tools and animal remains found in the caves at Cresswell Crags, a limestone gorge, provide evidence of life during the last Ice Age.

Further evidence came to light as recently as 2003, with the discovery of Britain’s only known Ice Age rock art.

Grant funding for the new play area came from Derbyshire County Council.