Have you ever been to Go Ape? It’s an adventure-activity chain where groups of children and adults alike can explore the forest canopy via a series of treetop rope courses.
We headed to Go Ape Sherwood Pines (Edwinstowe, Mansfield NG21 9JH), a short 20 miles rive for our house (parking is free).
I love to challenge myself physically (within reason!), Mark loves climbing with the kids but is too tall to fit in soft play (haha!), and JD (10) and Miss J (6) love nothing more than getting active outdoors, so this was the perfect activity for our whole family.
At each centre, there’s one course for younger climbers (Tree Top Junior with a 1m height minimum) and an adult course (Tree Top Adventure for age 10 plus). We explored the junior course, which consisted of a beginner route with a hand rope all the way round, and a slightly more challenging route which is minus the hand rope.
When the kids first saw the route, there were a little uncertain, but after the lovely, friendly, supportive staff had taken us round the practice course (just a few feet off the ground), both were ready to give the first course a try.
One adult per child must stay with them on throughout the junior course, while the staff watch from the ground or man certain platforms around the route, so I stayed with JD and Mark stayed with J.
The junior courses are much more about balance than strength, so it’s chiefly a case of stepping from rung to run without falling off! You can’t actually fall off, of course, as you’ll always be caught by the harnesses fixed around your hips and connected securely to the cable above your head. There’s no need to handle the cable between platforms or junctions, either – you just slide the harness along with you as you go, all the way from the bottom of the steps at the beginning to the end.
Both routes converge on a final platform that is the jump off point for a zip wire that takes them through the trees to the ground at the far end of the course.
JD loved the zipwire so much he whizzed round the course time and time again, with the sole intention of getting to the ride the zip wire as many times as possible.
Meanwhile, daredevil J graduated to the tougher route with Mark, which was a relief to him as most adults will have to duck under the hand rail on the beginner course as they make their way round!
We all had a brilliant time and enjoyed every minute of it. It was lovely to experience the course as a family and share in the challenges, and when we’d finished we had the beautiful forest surroundings to explore. Perfect.
This is a review. Go Ape provided tickets in order for us to write about the experience.
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Claire says
I’m not sure i’d Be brave enough but the kids and hubby would love it.
Emily Leary says
It’s sooo fun and it feels really good to face you fears!
Newcastle Family Life says
This looks so much fun! We have a Go ape near us in the North East but we have never visited, I think I will have to take my teen in the summer as she loves anything like this x
Emily Leary says
Oh yes definitely give it a go! We’ve been again since and loved it just as much, even in the rain!
Becca Talbot says
I went to Go Ape a few years ago, and I really loved it! Even in the rain, it was so much fun :) It looks like you had a great family day out too x
Emily Leary says
I agree, Go Ape is a fantastic place to have some outdoor adventures. We had an great time and there are so many different activities to enjoy in this amazing setting!
Elizabeth says
What fun! We took our kids to the Go Ape in Grizedale, in the Lake District, years ago. It was their first ever visit to a proper forest (we’ve none where we live in Shetland) and they took to being in the trees like little monkeys. Loved every minute of it!
Emily Leary says
My two were the same! Nothing quite like the feeling of being high up in the forest.
Chelsea says
I’ve heard of this place lots but never actually been. It seems really fun and a great day out for the family. My friend has been thinking of having her hen do here! I’m sure that’ll be a giggle
Emily Leary says
That’s such a good idea for a really unique hen do! I’d love being invited to something like that.
Nawdeeya says
This seems like a really fun family experience. I, myself, couldn’t do it. Well Im saying that to talk myself out of the notion to possibly do it. Love your photos.
Emily Leary says
Hehe, I think you could totally do it… maybe one day we’ll find out :D
Flora_the_Sweaterist says
These “climbing parks” as we call them, are awesome! We went to one with our class at high school, and boy, it was an exercise! I realised I had muscles all over my body.
Emily Leary says
Hehe, it did feel a bit like a workout by the end! Super fun way to stay active.
Lenka Dvorakova says
Hello, I love your pictures and this idea of a trip which is very interesting for kids. My kids would love it. I have to find out where we can do the same here near Vienna, Austria. Have a great day!
Emily Leary says
I’d really recommend it, it’s a great way of spending a day doing something outdoors and active as a family.
Lyosha says
It looks like so much fun! I’m sure kids LOVE it! I’m an adult but I am sure I would LOVE it as well
Emily Leary says
I think I had much fun as the kids! It feels really great to be outside and active like that.
Preet says
This looks like an amazing place for fun and adventure. All the pictures look great. I am always looking for places for outdoor adventure to take my kids to, will check this.
Emily Leary says
Thank you! I’d recommend you do, we all had a fantastic time :)
Monique Elise says
This is a perfect idea for a family day! A way to bond and get active! I would love to try zip line.
Emily Leary says
It really is – I’d definitely recommend it! I think you’d enjoy the zip wire, it’s tons of fun :)
Stephanie Jeannot says
This looks like a fun family place to enjoy together. I am a bit clumsy so I would hope that I could withstand the balance adventures. Good laughs and good times would definitely be had.
Emily Leary says
I’m sure you’d do great, but it’s all very safe, so you should be fine were you have a slip :)
Alison Rost says
I love activities that keep the kids active and happy and this looks just like the perfect one! I’ve never tried anything like this before and I’m completely interested in doing so! Thanks for the review and for sharing your experience.
Emily Leary says
Thank you! The kids love outdoor activities and we all had such a great day. Let me know if you give Go Ape a go!
Shubhada Bhide says
I totally love this idea for a family day out. I am pretty sure that my kids will really like this activities. will definitely check this out.
Emily Leary says
Yes, we all had such a great day. There are so many things to do. Let me know what you think if you give it a go!
Amanda says
I have always wanted to try something like this. We have a similar course here in Ontario. I hear you need to have a lot of core and upper body strength for some of these, which unfortunately I do not. It looks like so much fun though!
Emily Leary says
We had a such a great family day out! Some of the courses are much more about balance than strength but they are all tremendous fun. Have a great time if you decide to give them a go in Ontario!
Elizabeth O says
This looks like such a great day out for the whole family I hope you had a really brilliant time
Emily Leary says
Thank you. We had such a great family day out – the kids love outdoor activities and this was perfect! The staff are so friendly and supportive and we can’t wait to go again!
corinne & kirsty says
Aww this is amazing! I used to go when i was a kid. Not that particular place but similar! It was always so much fun and I was so good!
Emily Leary says
We all had a wonderful day taking new challenges along the way! We’re already looking forward to our next visit!
Indu says
This is interesting adventure sport, more so because this involves children and adults all to be part of such incredible experience. Love your pics. It seems you enjoyed fully at Go Ape.
Emily Leary says
Thank you! We all had such a great day. The kids love outdoor activities come rain or shine and Go Ape is such fun with courses to suit both grown ups and children. We will definitely be going again!
Ithfifi says
Oh this place looks amazing, I hadn’t heard of it before and will be letting my sister know about it as my niece loves these kind of active places. What a great way to get out and get fresh air whilst exercising through fun! Also..can’t help but love the Gruffalo!
Emily Leary says
Go Ape makes for such an unforgettable adventure. The forest setting is a perfect place for fun outdoor activities. I’m sure your niece would love it!
kumamonjeng says
This is a great place for children to train their confident and motor skill. Even adult like me would love to explore such places.
Emily Leary says
Yes, Go Ape is such a great place in a lovely forest setting with activities for both adults and children and the staff are so friendly and supportive. Let me know if you go there, it’s well worth a visit!