This weekend, we decided that a nice country walk is for wimps, and we headed up to Dalby Forest instead to try out the Tree Top Junior course at Go Ape!
Go Ape! is a tree-top experience with zip wires, rope bridges, and swings, and the Tree Top Junior course is the kid-friendly version. It is recommended for 6 to 12 year olds and their accompanying adults. There is a minimum height restriction, so please check their website before booking.
Go Ape! Dalby Forest is located not far from the southern entrance, and is opposite the main visitor centre. Parking is free, although there is a £7 entry charge per car to Dalby Forest itself. The loos are in the visitor centre, so make sure you abuse the facilities before you go to Go Ape!
You book a time slot, turn up, and you’re away. You can just show up and see what’s available but it is very popular and you’re risking not getting to play at all.
Right, that’s the technicalities out of the way! What did we actually think?
‘We’ were me, two ten-year olds, and a six-year old and we all thought it was super fun and a great experience.
Your harness is attached by an instructor to the central wire and you climb the stairs and follow the wire around the course. The clamp doesn’t leave the wire between you joining at ground level and the bottom of the zip wire. It’s all very clever stuff.
You go across bridges made of wood, rope, and net, or balance on planks. There are about six bridges between trees, set at least ten metres up in the air, then you get to the zip wire. It was a bit scary the first time but once you’re off, it’s brilliant!
If you don’t like it, you can bail out here. If you love it (like we did) you go back to the beginning and take the second, more challenging route. This is around another six bridges, slightly wobblier and a bit higher. Then back to the zip wire and off again.
I think the six-year to twelve-year recommendation is about right. I wouldn’t like to take anyone younger on, and as the course is set for children, it’s not comfortable for anyone much taller. Some of it is quite tricky, and you need a degree of physical fitness.
You can go back round again for a few more goes. After an hour, we’d had our turn, so we returned our harnesses and received our Go Ape! king of the jungle certificates and badges. Winners!
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| Who’s a clever monkey? |
Have a look at our video…..
Tickets cost from £17 per person (adults and children are the same price). There are 13 locations across the UK where the Tree Top junior course is available. You can find out more and book your tickets by clicking on the graphic below.
Have fun!
Disclosure – We were given free tickets to test out the Tree Top Junior adventure
Looks so much fun! Scary but fun =) #countrykids
It looks like so much fun, I always think I’d love to give it a go and then I worry that I’d get to the top of something and panic! Perfect for kids though, they know no fear!
I’m very tempted to take the children to our nearest one. I think they would love it, although who knows I’m fascinated to see how the rope stays attached all the time. #CountryKids
That looks like so much fun! Definitely one to take E to soon, though I think Daddy will have to take him up there – I don’t think I could do it!
Our nearest one is at Bedgebury Pinetum. My husband did it for a stag do and my daughter wants to go but she’s not old enough yet. I’m not sure if I will be joining them – bit of a scaredy cat!
Ah yes, we have one of these near to us. My kids are too small for it yet, but one day, we’ll be there!
Such a fun experience – we did something very similar in France last year! It’s great to hear that they have developed a junior course and it sounds like everyone had a great time. Thanks for linking up and sharing the fun with Country Kids.
My family love tree trecking, but have never been to go ape it looks fab x
Snap we have posted about the same thing. My boys loved it. #countrykids
Joanne you guys rock!! we did this last year and apart from shaking like a leaf i was almost sick!! lol
You know I have never done this and I would love to (forget about the kids)! Anything involving zip wires or being up high is pretty good! Some great photos and looks like a lot of fun was had. 🙂 #countrykids
I know my kids would love this – and I would enjoy watching (but not taking part!). They did something similar in France a few years ago and I was amazed by how brave they were!