Lights, Heights, Action! Our Sundown Adventures at Go Ape Sherwood Pines

A night time adventure beckoned this weekend as we geared up to take on Go Ape’s Sundown Adventures. Think obstacle course but now imagine tackling it 30 feet up in the air, surrounded by the imposing trees of Sherwood Pines, with only the glow of colourful lights to guide your way!

Returning for its third year, Sundown Adventures takes Go Ape’s treetop thrills to a whole new level. The high ropes courses are illuminated by a magical trail of lights, creating an atmospheric woodland setting as you navigate daring obstacles high above the forest floor before making your grand exit on the zip line. It’s part adventure course, part woodland wonderland; a whole lot of fun!

Our team was made up of adults and two intrepid 10 year olds, Ella and Joel, who were more than ready for the challenge. With three courses to tackle, there was plenty to get excited about, starting with Treetop Adventure before progressing to the more challenging Treetop Adventure Plus for those brave enough to take things up a notch.

We arrived, checked in with the super friendly Go Ape team and were taken through our safety briefing before getting harnessed up and ready to climb. After one final check of our straps (and our sanity!), we were let loose into the trees.

First up was Treetop Adventure, which felt like a warmup for what was to come. We made our way across the obstacles, finding our feet and getting into the swing of things before flying through the forest on the zip line to a chorus of whoops and screams. 

Course two upped the ante. With moving platforms, swaying obstacles and plenty of balancing required, this one called for a little more concentration, courage and nerve. Suddenly, it wasn’t quite so much of a walk in the woods!

One thing we hadn't quite anticipated was how different the height would feel after dark. With the forest floor much less visible beneath us, the treetops seemed to take on a completely different atmosphere. Surprisingly, we actually found some of the trickier obstacles more comfortable to tackle at height in the darkness, as we weren't so focused on the ground below. It offered a very different experience from taking on the same sort of course during daylight, adding another layer of adventure to the whole experience.

Just as we were feeling suitably adventurous, it was time for the Treetop Adventure Plus course...this was a whole new level, quite literally as the course went higher into the trees. 

To reach the course, you enter a tall wooden tower and climb upwards until you reach the starting point, using muscles you probably didn't think you had. Once at the top, there was no turning back, it was time to take on some seriously daring challenges.

Expect a climbing wall high up in the trees, net tunnels with just enough room to crawl your way through and plenty of obstacles to test your balance, bravery and determination. By now, darkness had well and truly fallen, with the colourful lights strung through the trees providing our only illumination.

It was strangely beautiful up there, looking out into the glowing woodland around us but trying to find your footing on a wobbly obstacle in the dark, that was a whole different story! There were plenty of moments that got the heart racing, along with lots of laughter and cheers of encouragement as we navigated our way through the course.

The real stars of the show were the kids, taking on the Treetop Adventure Plus course with bags of enthusiasm and determination, completing it brilliantly. There were a few moments when a little encouragement was needed, but they rose to the challenge and did themselves proud! A big shoutout to the adults who tackled the course too; just as brave, just as determined but perhaps feeling a few more aches and pains the following day!

What really impressed us was how well all three courses were designed. Each offered something different, building in difficulty as you progressed, while the safety measures and support from the Go Ape team helped us feel in safe hands throughout.

Sundown Adventures is a brilliant way to experience Sherwood Pines from a completely different perspective. The forest feels transformed after dark, and tackling the treetop obstacles beneath the glow of the lights makes the whole experience feel that little bit more adventurous and surreal. The combination of darkness, illuminated trees and high ropes gives it a completely different feel from a daytime visit.

Whether you're taking on the challenges as a family, heading out with friends or simply looking for something a little different to do, there are thrills, laughs and plenty of heart racing moments to be had. It's also a fantastic opportunity for children to build confidence, test their limits and discover that sometimes they're capable of far more than they think.

Gather your bravest crew, get those harnesses on and see if you've got what it takes to conquer the treetops after sunset turning an ordinary evening into an extraordinary adventure.

Find out more and plan your visit at Go Ape Sherwood Pines. 

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This blog was written by Anna Scott - Business Development Executive