The summer holidays have started and it can be hard thinking of ideas for entertaining the children for the whole of the holidays.
We and a bunch of friends with various aged children have for the last few years met up and had a long bank holiday weekend at The Forestry Commission, Cannock Chase.
We have a very fun, active, outdoor weekend and it is not only the children that are tired by the end of it! Its great to be outdoors and active with a good bunch of friends and their children.
We book into a cheap hotel nearby for a few nights and take our bikes.
The Forestry Commission was set up after the First World War to provide guaranteed timber supplies. Today they also play a huge part in guaranteeing access to great leisure opportunities.
Cannock Chase has a great selection of bike routes, from single track mountain bike tracks to leisurely green family trails. There is also a good choice of woodland walks, again from leisurely walks to longer ones. You will find information on the walks and bike trails on the Forestry Commission website, this will give you an idea of location, distance and grade.
We meet up in Birches Valley car park, take a picnic, and then go on a couple of bike rides and walks and the kids always go on Go Ape and they love it.
Go Ape isn’t just for children, its good for adults too. Great for bonding, pushing yourself, doing something completely different!
Fly down zip slides, leap off tarzan swings and sample fun crossings on Go Ape whilst enjoying views of our beautiful woodlands. Under 10’s can also have a go on tree top junior.
Go Ape is the UK’s No.1 Forest Adventure for all the family, it is set within beautiful forests, families and friends of all ages can unleash their inner Ape on our Tree Top Adventure and Tree Top Junior or explore the forest floor on our epic all-terrain Segways!
There are 28 Go Apes around the country so if Cannock Chase isn’t near you, I am sure you will find one nearby.
My advice is to book the slots on Go Ape in advance, we have found that is does get busy and booked up, so now we always book in advance.
As well as the bike routes and walks there is plenty of other stuff to do, an area where children can build dens, a good children’s adventure play area, and plenty of space for the children to play.
If you don’t want to take your own food there is a café and ice cream stand. It can get busy, but when you pass the busier areas it is easy to find yourself on your own.
Take your bikes, pack a picnic and book on Go Ape and make a full day of it.
