Searching for the best Go Ape experience? From record‐breaking ziplines to family‐friendly nets, I’ve mapped every UK location, highlighted the biggest, highest, and longest courses, and helped you match the perfect treetop adventure to your tribe—whether you’re parents with little ones, teens chasing thrills, young friends, couples or colleagues on a team‐build.
Why Go Ape Is the Best Treetop Adventure
Go Ape pioneered tree‐top fun in 2002 and now spans 37 UK sites. Each location features:
- High‐ropes crossings, ladders, bridges and tunnels
- Exhilarating zip lines (from 50 m to over 400 m)
- Tarzan swings and free‐fall drops up to 15 m
- Family‐friendly nets adventures and Segway trails
Apart from Go Ape London, all of the locations are in natural settings of lush, green forest with a healthy dose of breathtaking scenery. Whether you crave heart‐pounding challenge or gentle canopy strolls, Go Ape delivers the best blend of adrenaline and nature. It is still growing UK-wide and you can also Go Ape in the US.
How to Pick the Best Go Ape for You
The best Go Ape location depends on what you are looking for:
- Best Go Ape location for scenery – Grizedale;
- Longest Go Ape zip line in the UK – Aberfoyle 420m;
- Highest Go Ape rope crossing – Glentress 48m;
- Biggest Go Ape rope swing – Swinley Forest in Bracknell has a double rope swing;
- Longest Go Ape course – Cannock Chase Forest 1465m;
- Toughest Go Ape – Treetop Challenge Plus at Cockfosters, Thetford and Sherwood.
Use these filters to zero in on your perfect Go Ape.
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Record-Breaking Go Ape Locations
1. Longest Zip Wires
- Go Ape Aberfoyle (Queen Elizabeth Forest Park) • Two 426 m dual zips over waterfalls and Trossachs views—equivalent to four football pitches.
- Go Ape Grizedale Forest (Lake District) • Zip Trekking: 7 runs totalling 3 km of dual zips through mountain vistas.
2. Highest Platforms & Crossings
- Go Ape Whinlatter (Lake District) • England’s true mountain forest—platforms reach 48 m above ground.
- Go Ape Alexandra Palace (North London) • 15 m free-fall “Plummet” drop with panoramic skyline views.
3. Biggest Tarzan Swings
- Go Ape Black Park (Slough) • The original double-swing lets you leap 15 m feet-first into space.
- Go Ape Swinley Forest (Bracknell) • First “Double Tarzan Swing” on UK courses.
4. Longest Courses
- Go Ape Cannock Chase (Staffordshire) • Total crossing length 1,465 m across 6 forest zones.
- Go Ape Sherwood Pines (Nottinghamshire) • Six adventures including Nets and Forest Segway—2,000 m of thrills.
All 37 Go Ape Locations (At a Glance)
South East England
- Battersea Park (London): Urban double‐tiered highs, 12 m crossings; great for date adventures.
- Alexandra Palace (London): Skyline vistas, free‐fall drop; ideal for thrill-seeking couples.
- Alice Holt Forest (Surrey): Heritage oaks, moderate challenge; perfect for families with 6–10 year-olds.
- Bedgebury (Kent): Scenic Pinetum, 170 m zip; a dreamy day out for photographers.
- Leeds Castle (Kent): Castle backdrop, multi-section courses; blend history with adventure.
- Black Park (Bucks): Biggest swings; family-friendly plus corporate bookings.
- Bracknell (Swinley): Forest Segways, axe-throwing; team-build heaven.
- Chelmsford (Essex): Three courses in Hylands Park; great for beginners.
- Chessington (Surrey): Next to theme park; birthday parties nailed.
- Cockfosters (Barnet): Challenge Plus—the toughest in London.
- Crawley (West Sussex): Tilgate Park wetlands, three courses; under-tree picnic spots.
- Margam Park (S. Wales) (just across border): Wales’ biggest Tarzan swing.
- Southampton (Hants): Water meadow backdrop; zips up to 170 m.
- Thetford Forest (Suffolk): Original Go Ape site, six adventures.
- Wendover Woods (Bucks): 429 m of crossings; famed 85 m zip finale.
Midlands
- Buxton (Peak District): 2 million-year-old caverns; courses at 360 m elevation.
- Cannock Chase (Staffs): Longest combined course; mixed-group grills great for stag/hen.
- Coventry (Coombe Abbey): Alpine Plummet, mini Land Rovers; corporate and school trips.
- Sherwood Pines (Notts): 6-adventure hub, 2 km+ of nets and zips.
- Salcey Forest (Northants): Compact site, heavy on woodland immersion.
- Wyre Forest (Worcs): Ancient trees, moderate crossings; beginner-friendly.
North England
- Blackburn (Lancs): New stand-alone junior zone; under-10s welcome.
- Dalby Forest (N. Yorks): Two courses, dramatic heather moorland views.
- Delamere (Cheshire): Four adventures + Segways; one-stop family fun.
- Matfen Hall (Newcastle): Country-house setting; posh overnight packages.
- Normanby Hall (N. Lincs): Country park meets stately home.
- Rivington (Lancs): Moorland & water crossings; hidden gem.
- Temple Newsam (Leeds): Historic estate trails; fairy-tale vibes.
Scotland
- Aberfoyle (Stirling): Longest zips, 45 m high crossings in The Trossachs.
- Dalkeith (Edinburgh): First Scottish under-10s course + epic Treetop Challenge.
- Glentress Forest (Peebles): 160 ft high, 325 m zip across valley.
South West England
- Beechenhurst (Forest of Dean): Family-friendly, dramatic river gorge.
- Mallards Pike (Forest of Dean): Multi-adventure hub by a 10 ha lake.
- Grizedale (Lake District): Zip Trekking, highest platforms; hikers’ dream.
- Haldon (Exeter): Rugged moorland backdrop; small-group charm.
- Moors Valley (Bournemouth): Five adventures + nets + Segways; all-weather hit.
- Whinlatter (Lake District): England’s only mountain forest; Segways to Skiddaw view.
Wales
- Margam Park (S. Wales): Home to Britain’s biggest Tarzan swing—18 m drop.
Book your chosen Go Ape Location
Tailor Your Best Go Ape Experience
Parents with Young Children
Choose Treetop Adventure (ages 6+, 1 h) or Nets Adventure for safe, low-height fun at: Alice Holt, Delamere, Beechenhurst, Mallards Pike, Crawley.
Teens & Young Adult Friends
Crank up the thrill on Treetop Challenge with the extreme Challenge Plus at: Cockfosters (London), Sherwood Pines and Thetford.
Couples & Date-Day Seekers
Zip together on 400 m rides at Aberfoyle or Grizedale; chase skyline views at Battersea or Alexandra.
Corporate & Team-Builds
Book multi-activity packages (Segways, Axe Throwing, The Plummet) at: Coombe Abbey, Swinley, Black Park, Coventry.
Team Building Groups and Events at Go Ape!
Multigenerational Family Outings
Mix easy and extreme: start little ones on Treetop Adventure, escalade grandparents on Segways at: Moors Valley, Dalby Forest, Delamere.
Forest Segway With Go Ape!
If you don’t fancy swinging through the trees, you can test your balancing skills by riding on the two wheeled Segways. The forest segway experience is at 10 Go Ape locations in the UK. Get off-road and explore the forest on all-terrain segways. It’s a totally unique way to tackle the trails in the forest.
Go Ape Zip Trekking
If you love the zip wires but can’t be bothered with all the obstacles to get to them, then you really need to visit the Go Ape Zip Trekking experience in Grizedale Forest in the Lake District.
Go Ape FAQs
How Long Does Go Ape Last?
Go Ape lasts for up to three hours of tree top adventure, depending on how quick you are at completing the crossings.
Opening Times
Go Ape is open daily from April to October (and weekends in February and November!). Every year Go Ape opens for the February half term week, then on every weekend until April.
Go Ape opens at 930am, and the last session is at 430pm.
You can get early bird sessions from 8am, with the last session at 4pm. During the summer, there are more sessions available due to the longer daylight hours.
It is best to book Go Ape online before you go. You can just turn up and book on the day if there are spaces available. It’s best to check the Go Ape website for details (or call the booking line on 0845 643 9215, please note there will be a £1.50 booking fee.)
Ready to Book the Best Go Ape?
With 37 sites, the best Go Ape is truly the one that matches your group’s appetite for height, speed and style. Head to GoApe.co.uk, filter by course type and location, and get set for up to three hours of treetop fun that you’ll never forget.