Go Ape launches five new Forest Adventure courses
(18/03/2008)

Established in 2002 by husband and wife team Tristram and Rebecca Mayhew, Go Ape High Wire Forest Adventure courses are located in forests across the UK, stretching from the south coast to Scottish Highlands. The young company is set to launch five new courses this month, taking the total to seventeen, and has plans to open 40 courses by 2010.

See the forest in a different light and join a tribe of over 850,000 adventure seekers, climbing rope ladders up into the trees some 40 feet above the forest floor. Great for families, hen parties and corporate groups, each of the Go Ape courses is split into 5 to 6 separate zones linked together by natural footpaths. Each section begins with a climb up a rope ladder into the treetop canopy, where you weave your way through an assortment of spectacular rope bridges and Tarzan swings. An exhilarating zip slide brings you down to the forest floor at the end of every section. Set against the stunning forest backdrop, this unique family activity provides approximately three hours of adrenalin-fuelled fun and adventure.

The inspiration for creating Go Ape came from a family holiday to France when Tristram and Rebecca came across a high wire adventure course deep in the Auvergne National Forest. They watched a family swinging through the tree canopy. Sure, the teenage kids were having a grand time of it, but it was the look of ‘we haven’t had this much fun in years’ on their parents’ faces that convinced them instantly that they should be doing something like this in the UK.

Winning a stream of tourism awards over the past 2 years, Tristram Mayhew, co-founder and Chief Gorilla, nominated for Entrepreneur of the Year at The National Business Awards, 2006, says. “Creating adventures and encouraging others to live life more adventurously, is the ethos behind Go Ape. It’s very much about introducing people, young and old, to the forest and giving them the opportunity to explore the forest from a different perspective”.

Course locations:
Poole’s Cavern, Buxton, Derbyshire
Bedgebury Forest, Kent
Dalby Forest, North Yorkshire
Alice Holt Woodland Park, Surrey
David Marshall Lodge, Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, nr Aberfoyle, Stirling
Delamere Forest, Cheshire
Grizedale Forest, Cumbria
Moors Valley Country Park, Dorset, Hampshire
Sherwood Pines Forest Park, Nottinghamshire
Thetford Forest, Suffolk
Swinley Forest, Bracknell, Berkshire
Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire
NEW Leeds Castle, Kent
NEW Wendover Woods, Buckinghamshire
NEW Haldon Forest Park, Devon
NEW Whinlatter, Cumbria
NEW Cannock Forest, Staffordshire – launching in May 2008

2008 Opening Times:
15th March - 31st October inclusive, with additional evening slots available May-August
The NEW courses will be closed on Mondays during term time only
Open weekends throughout November
Closed December - January

Prices:
Gorillas (18yrs+)
£25.00
Baboons (10-17yrs)
£20.00

Restrictions:
Minimum age 10 years, minimum height 1.4m (4ft 7in) and maximum weight of 20.5 stone. Under 18 year olds must be accompanied by a participating adult. One adult can supervise either up to two children (where one or both is under 16) or up to five 16-17 year olds