Go Ape Bracknell
ENTRY
from £18.95
SETTING
Outdoors
WHERE
Bracknell
What it’s like
Zip lines and rope crossings strung through the treetops of Swinley Forest, with a Segway option if harnesses aren't your thing.
The main event is up in the trees: rope bridges, tarzan swings and zip lines threaded through the forest, with the Treetop Adventure Plus stepping things up a notch from the standard Treetop Adventure if your crew wants the bigger challenge. There's a Forest Segway option too, and axe throwing if you fancy something with your feet back on the ground. None of it comes cheap, mind. Treetop Adventure Plus is £36.95 and the standard course £25.95, so a family morning out adds up fast, though Sundown Adventures at £18.95 is the softer way in if you're watching the budget.
You get an hour actually up in the trees, but they tell you to budget up to two hours once you count the harness fitting, safety brief and the certificate at the end. That's a decent chunk of a day, and worth knowing before you plan anything else around it. There are no toilets out on the course itself, so it's a proper "go before you go" situation, and belongings storage at the cabin isn't secure, so leave the valuables at home rather than hoping for the best.
The Woodlarks Cafe does hot food and drinks a short walk from the cabin, and there are picnic benches scattered through the forest if you'd rather bring your own and make an afternoon of it. Paths around the site are uneven though, so while pushchairs and wheelchairs can get to the cabin and spectator areas fine, the forest paths themselves are a different matter and worth thinking about if that affects your group. Dogs can come along but not onto the course itself.
Booking online is the sensible route, though walk-ups happen at the cabin if there's space going. Parking's at The Lookout Carpark and it's paid, set by the landowner rather than Go Ape, so don't expect it to be free just because you've already paid for the activity. Birthday parties can be booked online too, with party bags at £5.95 a head and a forest shelter available to hire if you want somewhere covered for cake and candles.
Facilities
Need to know
- Booking
- Book ahead online. Walk-ups possible at cabin subject to availability
- Parking
- Paid parking at The Lookout Carpark
- How long to allow
- Treetop courses: 1 hour in trees plus up to 2 hours total including harness/brief/certificate
- Food
- The Woodlarks Cafe with hot food, drinks and snacks
- Picnics
- Picnic benches around the forest
- Pushchairs
- Can access cabin and spectator areas
- Wheelchairs
- Cabin and spectator areas accessible
- Dogs
- Allowed but cannot join on the course
- Getting there by bus or train
- Direct trains from London Waterloo to Bracknell
- Parties
- Book party activity online. Optional party bags £5.95 each
- Sat navs are often unreliable getting here, so it's worth cross-referencing with a map on the way
- No toilets out on the course, so go before you start
- Belongings storage at the cabin isn't secure, so travel light
- Parking charges are set by the landowner, not Go Ape, so check signage rather than assuming it's covered
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Treetop Adventure Plus is £36.95, the standard Treetop Adventure £25.95. Sundown Adventures comes in cheaper at £18.95, and Forest Segway is £21.95.
Do we need to book?
Booking online ahead is the way to go. Walk-ups are sometimes possible at the cabin but only if there's space.
How long does a visit take?
The treetop courses give you an hour in the trees, but allow up to two hours once you add the harness fitting, safety brief and getting your certificate at the end. Nets Adventure sessions run for two hours.
Is there parking?
Yes, at The Lookout Carpark, but it's paid parking set by the landowner rather than Go Ape.
What if it's a bad weather day?
The site closes in thick ice, thunderstorms and gales, so it's not a fully weatherproof plan if conditions turn nasty.
Is there anywhere to eat?
The Woodlarks Cafe does hot food, drinks and snacks a short walk from the cabin. There are also picnic benches around the forest if you bring your own.
Can we bring the dog?
Dogs are welcome on site but can't join you on the actual course, and they're kept out of the café and play areas.
Is it accessible for pushchairs or wheelchairs?
The cabin and spectator areas are accessible, but the main forest paths are uneven and could be tricky. Worth contacting them directly beforehand if you have specific access needs.
Can we book a birthday party?
Party activities book online and you can add party bags for £5.95 each. There's a forest shelter you can hire by phone if you want somewhere covered for food and cake.
Where are the toilets?
There are toilets on site and more in The Lookout Discovery Centre a few minutes' walk away, but none out on the course itself, so use one before you start.
Can we leave our bags somewhere?
There's space at the cabin for small items, but it isn't secure storage, so it's best to bring as little as possible and leave valuables at home.
How do we get there?
Direct trains run from London Waterloo to Bracknell station, and buses 171 or 172 go from the station to Hillberry, about a 10 minute walk from the site.
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