Back from my rather long holiday, so I will catch up in due course.
Back from my rather long holiday, so I will catch up in due course.
Member since:13.09.2008
Reviews:62
Members who trust:140
INTRODUCTION
I am a fan of certain sporting activities such as Diving, Kayaking and walking but as a treat me husband thought it would be good if we tried something different.
He booked us a trip to the Go Ape adventure obstacle course at Thetfordforest, I am not sure what he was thinking of as I am petrified of heights and this just does not appeal to me, but as it was all paid for I did not have the heart to disappoint him and say I was not going.
I put on a brave face and went, although I was secretly scared stiff and my stomach was churning. I have to admit after the experience I was so glad that I did not back out as it was a really enjoyable day.
ABOUT GO APE.
Go ape is basically a high wire adventure obstacle course that sits in the tree tops of the trees in Thetford Forest, It consists of many high wires, zip slides, Rope ladders, bridges and swings.
All of the obstacle course is set over a mile long course, at Thetfort there were three types of course for you to endure so there really is something to suit every ones needs. The first section is a mild course that consists of smaller high wires and climbing ropes, if this seems to mild you can move on to the intermediate section of higher wirers and obstacles, lastly
you have the advanced course which it the mother of all courses standing high above the forest floor on the extreme wires, slides and zip wires.
The course is designed for you to start at the beginners section of smaller obstacles and work through to the advanced stage, but if you are confident enough you can go straight to the intermediate course. My husband headed straight to the intermediate section as he did not want to follow a load of kids around the smaller section, I would have loved to just to get a feel for it.
GO APE SAFETY
This had to be the most important thing for me as I was scared silly and I wanted to be assured I would be perfectly safe.
When we arrived at Go ape a small group of roughly eight people were given a safety induction, here we were told what to do in certain scenarios and how to make sure our safety harnesses and equipment worked.
The small group was good as the instructor could answer any questions we had, I was full of questions and queries but I kept quite so I didn't look stupid, but by the end of the induction I was completely at ease as many of the question I would have asked were covered.
For extra reassurance there are safety instructors located through out the course, so if you need help there is always someone there to help.
PRICES
The prices at Go ape are very reasonable as you are fully entertained for well over three hours, which does not sound like a long time but by the end of the course it feels like you have been up there much longer, To be honest after three hours you will be glad to get your feet back on solid ground.
There are two price brackets for the Go ape experience.
The first is for the Gorillas (adults over 18 years old) costs 25.00 and for Baboons (youngsters between 10-17 years old) it costs 20.00.
During school holidays and bank holidays Go ape enforce a peak time charge and this is 2.50 per person, so during busy periods this will be added to normal entrance prices.
These prices include a full safety induction, safety equipment such as helmets, Harnesses and gloves and over a mile of adventure that will take hours to complete.
There are terms and conditions when booking your experience, youngsters under 17 years old need to be accompanied by a full paying adult, as this is an obstacle course where you are left to you own devices and Go ape will not take responsibility for teenagers.
Children under 10 are not permitted to take part, but there is an adventure play ground to entertain them and this is free of charge.
People can only take part if they are over 4.7 foot in height and weight less that 20.5 stone or 130KG.
BOOKING THE EXPERIENCE
To take in the experience you do need to book in advance, as it can be very busy and it is doubtful that you will be catered for if you just turn up.
You can book online at www.goape.co.uk and pay using any debit are visa card or you can contact Go ape on 0845 643 9215 to make or confirm bookings.
You do not pay the full balance when booking, it will cost 1.50 via the telephone and 1.00 will be debited from you card when booking online, the balance to due on the day you Go ape. I didn't know this as my husband told me it was paid for so I wouldn't back out, I could have killed him when he paid up on the day.
WERE IS GO APE
The Go ape attraction is situated in Thetford forest and can be reached easily by taking the A134 from Bury and then follow the B1106 to Thetford forest.
It is a national park so it is very well sign posted from all directions within its vicinity.
OTHER GO APE UK LOCATIONS
This type are attraction has been going for over eight years and has proved to be very popular, so popular that it has now opened another sixteen sites where you can take part it the Go ape experience. All sites are slightly different so you will notice a difference if you have been to a different Go ape location.
The other locations include Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, Stirlingshire, The Look Out, Swinley Forest, Bracknell, Mallards Pike, Forest Of Dean, Dalby Forest, North Yorkshire, Grizledale Forest, The Lake District, Leeds Castle, Kent, Bedgebury Forest, Kent, Sherwood Pines Forest Park, Nottinghamshire, Alice Holt Woodland Park, FarnhamSurrey, Delamere Forest, Chester, Poole's Cavern, Buxton, Peak District, Whinlatter Forest Park, North Lake District, Haldon Forest Park, ExeterDevon, Moors Valley Country Park, Ringwood, Wendover Woods, Aylesbury Bucks and lastly this location High Lodge Forest Centre, Thetford Forest, Suffolk
OPINION
All of the adventure is roughly 100 feet above the forest floor, so if you are afraid of heights this may be an issue. I was personally scared stiff but I was harnessed to the equipment so I knew I wouldn't fall. If did take me a few leaps of faith but after I few breath taking moments I started to gain confidence and I really stated to enjoy the whole experience, wandering what I was so worried about in the first place.
I was completely happy with the safety measures they had in place this eased my mind, not completely as I was still having doubts, but I have no question that Go ape maintain the equipment and course to avoid any accidents.
The first few high wires were very frightening, but I have to say I am so glad I persevered after tackling the first few obstacles I gained confidence and I really started to throw myself into it.
I am so glad that I gave this a go, if I ever have the chance I would defiantly do it again. Once I knew that I wouldn't fall out of the trees I really enjoyed myself.
I would recommend this to any thrill seeker, but I do advise that you don't buy your loved one a day trip here, I don't think it would go down to well as you get really dirty and the height can be an issue.
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Feb 12th, 2009
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