Go Ape: Matching a Course to Height Limits, Family Tickets and Weather Rules

Go Ape runs treetop rope courses, zip lines, Segway trails and Nets Kingdom play structures across forest sites in the UK. Booking the right course for the right people, at the right time slot, matters more here than hunting for the biggest discount, since a mismatched height or fitness requirement can mean turning someone away at the start point.

Each Go Ape location runs its own set of activities and time slots, so what is bookable at one forest site is not guaranteed to be running at another.

Tree Top Adventure vs Zip Trekking vs Junior courses

Go Ape's Tree Top Adventure is the classic multi-platform rope and zip line course through the forest canopy, built for older children and adults. Zip Trekking Adventure is a faster-paced, guided version with fewer obstacles and more zipping. Tree Top Junior is scaled down for younger children, lower to the ground and shorter in length. Picking the wrong one for the group's mixed ages is the most common reason a Go Ape booking does not work out, so check each course's age and height rules against every person in the group before booking, not just the tallest or oldest.

Height and fitness rules are checked at the site, not just online

Go Ape enforces minimum height requirements for its harnessed courses, and these are checked with a height stick at the start point, not just taken on trust from the booking form. There are usually upper limits too, tied to harness and equipment weight ratings. Because these rules are non-negotiable on the day, check the specific course's current height and weight limits before booking rather than after arriving with a child who does not meet them.

Nets Kingdom for younger kids and less confident climbers

Nets Kingdom is Go Ape's giant net play structure, built lower and without a harness, aimed at younger children or anyone not ready for the full harnessed Tree Top course. It runs at a subset of Go Ape locations, not all of them, so check whether the specific forest site you are booking actually offers it before planning a visit around it.

Family tickets and group bundles

Go Ape prices family bookings differently from booking individual adult and child tickets separately, and a family-rate code on top of that combined price is usually where the real saving sits, rather than on a single ticket. Larger groups booking several sessions together should also check for a group rate directly with the site, since some discounts are only available by contacting the location rather than through online codes.

Weather can cancel or shorten a session

Go Ape courses run outdoors, and high wind in particular can close zip lines and rope sections for safety, sometimes with little notice. Check the site's current weather policy on rebooking or refunds before travelling any distance for a booking, since policies can differ between forest locations and between activities at the same site.

Axe throwing and Segway add-ons

Several Go Ape sites also run axe throwing and Forest Segway sessions as separate bookable activities alongside the tree courses, each with their own age minimums. These are worth adding to a visit rather than a standalone trip, since combining them with a Tree Top or Nets Kingdom session in one day usually makes better use of the drive to a Go Ape forest site.

Where the Go Ape savings are

The 25% code is the strongest general discount and suits a small group or a couple booking Tree Top Adventure or Zip Trekking without needing the family-rate pricing. The family code should be compared against it rather than assumed better by default, since Go Ape's family ticket price is already a bundled rate and the percentage applies on top of that, not on top of individual ticket prices. The axe throwing code only pays off if that add-on is already part of the plan for the day, it will not apply to the tree course booking itself.

Common questions

What happens if my child does not meet the height requirement on the day?

Go Ape staff check height at the start point and cannot allow entry below the minimum for safety reasons, regardless of the online booking. Check the limit for the specific course before booking.

Can I reschedule a Go Ape booking if it rains?

This depends on the site's current weather policy and how severe the conditions are. Contact the specific Go Ape location or check its cancellation terms ahead of the visit.

Do Go Ape codes apply to Nets Kingdom and Segway bookings?

This varies by code. Check the terms of the specific discount, since some Go Ape codes are restricted to the harnessed tree courses only.

Is there a minimum age for Go Ape's Tree Top Adventure?

Yes, alongside the height rule. Check the current age and height minimums for the specific Go Ape site, since requirements can differ slightly by location.