What is it?
Zip Wire and High Rope courses generally take place suspended in the air, and can come in small versions that are only a few metres from the ground or in a bigger scale at higher elevation. Going on a Zip Wire involves being attached to a strong cable and travelling down it via gravity, and a High Ropes course will have a series of platforms and ropes all connected together for the user to climb from start to finish on.
What does it involve?
There can be many varieties of both of these activities, but all generally involve travelling by being suspended over the ground. Both Zip Wire and High Ropes equipment at more extreme heights will all include being strapped into a safety harness, whether its attached to a cable on the Zip Wire or to the frame holding a High Ropes course.
Why do it and what are the benefits?
These kinds of activities can give students a big confidence boost by successfully completing them - being suspended off the ground makes everything seem a bit more dangerous. A High Ropes course often involves participants working together to make it across an obstacle, and can build some great teamwork and problem solving skills.
What equipment do we need?
You wont need to provide any equipment for this as the venue will provide everything, but you should make sure all students are wearing appropriate clothing - check with where you are going beforehand for advice!
Who is it suitable for?
Students of all ages should enjoy the Zip Wire and High Rope activities as there is such a wide variety of types - young children can experience the short and lower length courses, and the height and intensity of the activity can increase with age and confidence.
Costs?
The various costs of Zip Line and High Rope activities will greatly depend on the venue and the specific properties of their apparatus, so make sure to do your research on venues in your area and decide how extreme a course you want to book.
Issues/Things to think about? (unsuitable for age groups, medical conditions etc)
Such activities may not be advisable for those with a fear of heights, but this depends on the physical specifications of the equipment - some courses that are just above ground height should be fine for people of such dispositions.
How do we include?
Venues with Zip Wires are often set up for disability as the activity involves being harnessed onto the cable, so would be a good opportunity for students with physical difficulties to get involved. High Rope courses may be a bit more difficult as it requires a lot more individual movement, but consult with your chosen venue for specific setup information.
Doing it abroad?
You will find variations of the Zip Line and High Rope activity all over the world, so it's a case of researching into your location. Mountainous and hilly areas are most likely to have Zip Lines because of the elevation required to travel down the cable, and as a High Rope course can be constructed just about anywhere it's likely there will be an establishment to cater to your requirements wherever you are.
Main website:
There is some good general information here about High Ropes, but the best websites to visit will be for the locations specific to your needs!
Our aim is to enable young people to develop through taking part in outdoor activities in a fun and safe environment. This simple aim has led us to develop our Centre that rivals commercially run Centres in terms of both facilities and activity provision.
As we are a charity we are able to maintain excellent value for money.
Stubbers have been serving the schools and groups of Essex, London and Hertfordshire for over 20 years. Offering a range of outdoor activities to students of all ages.
An outdoor activity centre set on the River Thames in Marlow. We offer both land and water activities for all the family. As a charity we try to provide a real community hub that everyone can experience outdoor activities for low cost.
Longridge Activity Centre offers a range of both land and water activities including:
Enjoy a huge range of activities customised for juniors including Quad Biking (minimum age 6) and Mountain Boarding (from 8), Clay Pigeon Shooting (from 10), Pellet Sniper Range (from 8) and Archery (from 10)!
Longrigg is an educational study and adventure centre in Cumbria. Our aim is to provide rewarding outdoor experiences for young people and adults.
We offer a wide range of outdoor activities including Duke of Edinburgh and Mountain Training Leadership courses.
Your programme might include a variety of the following :
4th Dimension was established in 1987 by Chris Taylor, a graduate teacher of Physical and Outdoor Education after 12 years in teaching, the last 3 of which were as Head of Department at a large 11-18 split site, comprehensive school.
With adventure play areas, zip wires, rides, a 25m bouncy pillow, stilt walking, a haystack mountain, pig racing, archery and our children's shows. There's plenty to keep children occupied all day at Apple Jacks! You can even challenge your opponent on the Eliminator!
Meet plenty of furry friends, enjoy Animal Activities and Demonstrations and discover the Giant Indoor Playbarn! Guaranteed to give you the Ahhhh factor, there's stacks of animal fun and indoor play at Odds Farm Park.
The healthy working Pink Pig Farm welcomes families for the full farm to fork experience (if you can handle it that candidly!) with happy animals to visit both in the paddocks and the Charcuterie!
The indoor Play Barn features oodles of soft play facilities, giant lego plus play kitchens, excellent for keeping damp smalls busy tip the rain clears up!
BeWILDerwood is 50 acres of wild, outdoor treehouse adventure park. Treehouses, zip wires, jungle bridges, Crocklebogs, boat trips, marsh walks and adventure!
BeWILDerwood is a wild and imaginative adventure park with magical treehouses and a hint of intriguing characters, bringing a curious difference to the Norfolk Broads.
Beautiful lakeside park offering, windsurfing, sailing, canoeing, water skiing, wakeboarding, cycle hire, fishing, miniature railway, mini golf and playground! Wow!
There are beginner and improver tuition sessions available for every kind of activity, plus taster days and other options so you can try your hand at several new skills before deciding which to pursue with full gusto!
Located near Luton, Milton Keynes and Dunstable, you can visit Center Parcs Woburn Forest to enjoy an active or relaxing stay.
The park opened in 1934 after the land was presented to the City by Councillor F.E. Moss in memory of his sister Florence.
What facilities does it have?
Umberslade Adventure is an outdoor play area set in an 80 acre woodland in the heart of Warwickshire, offering physical and educational activities for all ages.
These include:
420ft Zip line: swoop from the trees if you think you are brave enough. It will get your adrenaline pumping.
Highest Go Ape in the country at 360 metres above sea level.
It’s so high you can see all the way to Scotland. Enjoy a Tree Top Adventure with us in our beautiful forest, riding zip slides through skies, over water and in England’s only true mountain forest. We’re sure you’ll love the spectacular views of the Lake District.
A staggering array of activities under one (enormous!) roof, from bowling and laser tag to mini golf and dodgems, to the cinema, football and indoor climbing!
Star City Birmingham is home to an amazing assortment of great family activities all under one roof! Including:
Birches Valley Forest Centre is an excellent starting point for an exhilarating day out on Cannock Chase. From the midlands best bike trails and woodland walks to adventure play and Go Ape we’ve got a great day out just waiting for you…
Our Longest Tree Top Adventure & Epic Forest Segways in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Awarded Silver in the Best Tourism Experience in Staffordshire 2013.
Our Tree Top Junior will remain open during the weekends in December and January - don’t forget a pair of gloves!
Aerial Extreme is a high ropes adventure course involving a series of challenging obstacles set at varying heights above the ground. You'll find yourself tackling fun obstacles such as rope bridges, scramble nets, zip wires, swinging logs and balance beams, plus many more!
Exciting family entertainment centre with 6 unique attractions to choose from. Soft play, and Sky Tykes for kids under 6, Nerf Blaster Target range and Nerf arena, plus Mini Golf for all and Altitude for the daring!
Yu Kids is a Japanese designed adventure play area, which is colourful with some inventive ideas, plus a special play space for kids under 2 years old.
Baggeridge Country Park is a beautiful area of countryside on the doorstep of the Black Country. Being set back from the roads, its secluded delights are revealed to you as you explore further. The creation of today's scenery however, is very diverse.
Children are happy exploring in the undergrowth, hiding in trees and riding bikes, there is an adventurous children's play area set in the middle of the forest suitable for children up to 12 years old, with swings, slides, climbing frames and a challenging ropes trail.
The Bushcraft Company offer residential school trips with a difference, taking students into the wild and giving them real back-to-nature experiences they will never forget.
A 15-year-old boy fell 60ft over the edge of a cliff whilst on a geography school trip, miraculously only suffering minor injuries.