Conkers Vertigo High Ropes
BEST FOR
Ages 8+
ENTRY
from £5
SETTING
Outdoors
WHERE
Moira
What it’s like
A high ropes course roughly 30ft up, plus zip wire, climbing wall and free-fall descender for kids eight and over.
The main event is 15 aerial sections of nets and walkways up at height, clipped onto a continuous belay the whole way round. There's a low ropes course with 10 stages if you want to start closer to the ground, a 30ft climbing wall with auto-belays so nobody's holding the rope for you, a zip line, and a free-fall descender off a 30ft platform for the ones who think the ropes course was too tame. The jump pillow and stunt bag round things off with a proper airbag landing.
This is an eight-plus crowd for most of it. High ropes, zip wire, free-fall descender, jump pillow and stunt bag all need age 8 and a minimum height of 1.4m, and there's a maximum weight of 16 stone across most activities (the free-fall descender is stricter still). Low ropes and the climbing wall drop to age 5 and 1.0m, so a younger sibling isn't completely left out.
Budget for two separate costs here. Park admission is £9.90 to £11.25 depending on season, and the ropes activities sit on top as add-ons, from £5 for the zip wire up to £10 for the stunt bag. High ropes itself is £7.50. Booking online gets you 10% off, and you're expected to arrive at least 10 minutes before your slot. Sensible footwear and covered toes are non-negotiable on the equipment.
The site reckons on three hours or more, with people coming back for repeat visits rather than trying to do it all in one go. Parking's free at both centres, picnics are allowed if you'd rather not rely on what's on site, and there's disabled access through the main centres with mobility buggies and scooters available if you book ahead. Ropes close at the end of the October half term for winter, so this is very much a spring-to-autumn plan.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 8 and up on the high ropes; younger ones can try low ropes from 5
- Booking
- 10% discount available when booking online in advance
- Parking
- Free parking for cars and coaches at both Discovery Centre (300 spaces) and Waterside Centre (100 spaces)
- How long to allow
- 3 hours or more, with returning visits recommended
- Wheelchairs
- Mobility buggies available for hire (pre-booking required)
- Dogs
- Assistance dogs only (trained to sit/lie quietly and toilet on command)
- Park admission and ropes activities are booked and paid separately, so factor in both.
- Arrive at least 10 minutes before your slot time or you may lose it.
- Ropes close at the end of the October half term and don't reopen until spring.
- Carers get a reduced ticket alongside a concession admission, but it needs booking online with valid ID on arrival.
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Park admission is £9.90 to £11.25 depending on the season, and the ropes activities are extra on top of that. High ropes is £7.50, low ropes £5.50, zip wire and free-fall descender £5 each, climbing wall £6, jump pillow £5, stunt bag £10.
Do we need to book?
Booking's required, and you get 10% off if you do it online in advance rather than turning up.
What age is the high ropes course for?
Eight and up, with a minimum height of 1.4m. Low ropes and the climbing wall are open from age 5 with a 1.0m minimum.
Is there a weight limit?
Most ropes activities have a maximum of 16 stone (110kg), and the free-fall descender is limited to 16 stone specifically.
How long should we plan for?
Three hours or more is the recommendation, and they say a lot of visitors end up coming back rather than fitting it all into one go.
What should the kids wear?
Sensible clothing and footwear, with toes covered. No sandals or open shoes on the equipment.
Is there parking?
Free parking for cars and coaches at both the Discovery Centre and Waterside Centre.
Can we bring a picnic?
There are picnic spots around the attraction if you'd rather bring your own food than buy on site.
Is it wheelchair or buggy accessible?
The main centres have full disabled access including toilets and restaurants, and a good chunk of the outdoor trails are wheelchair friendly. Mobility scooters and buggies are welcome, and buggies can be hired if you book ahead.
What happens if the weather's bad?
In extreme weather the ropes course may close, and they offer a refund or an alternative date rather than just cancelling on you.
Experiences
Climbing Wall
min 100cm · ages 5+ · outdoors30ft climbing wall with auto-belay systems.
Giant Jump Pillow & Stunt Bag
min 140cm · ages 8+ · outdoorsJump pillow (2m jump) and Stunt Bag (5m jump) forest attraction.
Low Ropes Course
min 100cm · ages 5+ · outdoorsLow ropes course with 10 obstacles for junior visitors, clipped to a safety rail.
Rides
Free-Fall Descender
min 140cm · ages 8+ · thrill 4/5 · outdoors30ft free-fall drop with a controlled stop.
High Ropes Course
min 140cm · ages 8+ · thrill 4/5 · outdoorsAerial high ropes course with 15 sections, around 30ft above ground.
Zip Line
min 140cm · ages 8+ · thrill 4/5 · outdoors165ft zip wire starting over 30ft high.
See all Adventure Parks & High Ropes in Derby · Things to do in Derby
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