Go Ape Cannock Chase, Staffordshire: REVIEW

About Cannock Chase

Cannock Chase offers plenty to explore, with its diverse landscape of ancient woodland, open heathland, and winding river valleys. Keep an eye out, you might even spot a herd of wild deer along the way.

It’s not just perfect for family walks and bike rides; Cannock Chase is also home to Go Ape Cannock, an outdoor adventure centre featuring thrilling high ropes courses designed for both children and adults.

Arriving to Go Ape Cannock Chase

We’ve been promising the kids a trip to Go Ape for what feels like forever. And honestly, it’s every little adventurer’s dream; perfect for children of all ages (and any brave grown-ups willing to join them).

Go Ape is a brilliant outdoor activity for the whole family, offering excitement and challenge in equal measure. I often stay on the sidelines to snap photos and soak it all in, but this time I decided to join in and I’m so glad I did!

We arrived at Cannock Chase around 9:45am and had no trouble parking. The site uses a number plate recognition system, with several pay stations available to settle your parking fee before you leave.

The staff at Go Ape were friendly, knowledgeable, and couldn’t have been more helpful. After checking in at the reception hut and collecting our wristbands, we headed over to the Treetop Challenge area for a safety briefing and to get harnessed up.

We were booked onto the Treetop Adventure Plus course, designed for children aged 6+ and at least 1.2m tall. Think more speed, more freedom, more height, and more thrills, plus a good dose of courage for the grown-ups!

The Treetop Adventure Plus course

We kicked things off with the Treetop Adventure course, Go Ape’s entry-level high ropes experience designed for children over 1 metre tall. This course delivers pure adrenaline-fuelled fun, offering just the right balance of mental and physical challenge to push you outside your comfort zone. As we made our way around, it was brilliant to see the kids’ confidence grow with every step, as they tackled their fears and conquered each obstacle all the way through to the final zip wire.

Helpful staff were stationed throughout the course, offering guidance and support whenever needed, which was especially reassuring for first-timers.

With the first challenge complete, it was time to level up to the Treetop Adventure Plus.

Designed for children over 6 years old and at least 1.2 metres tall, this course is ideal for young explorers who thrive on adventure, our fearless seven-year-old included. I’ll admit, even without a fear of heights, this one tested me! It definitely became a bit of a psychological battle to push through. But with our son racing ahead like a mini ninja through the trees, there was no way I could back down.

The sounds of squeals, gasps, laughter, and cheers echoed through the forest as we all made our way toward the final thrill; a 130-metre-long zip wire that brought the adventure to an unforgettable finish.

Go Ape Height restrictions

Please do check the height restrictions before you book. We were booked on to the Treetop Adventure Plus with a minimum height of 1.2m, and minimum age of 6. This activity takes around an hour and the longest zip wire is 130m.

• Treetop Adventure Plus: Suitable for ages 6 and up, with a minimum height of 1.2m (3ft 11in).
• Treetop Adventure: Designed for younger adventurers, with a minimum height of 1m (3ft 3in).
• Treetop Challenge: For older kids and adults, with a minimum height of 1.4m (4ft 7in) and a minimum age of 10.
• Challenge Plus: The most demanding course, also requiring a minimum height of 1.4m (4ft 7in) and a minimum age of 10.

What to wear to Go Ape

Leave your best clothes at home! This is a muddy, active adventure, so wear something you don’t mind getting dirty. Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear with good grip are essential. Between us, we wore walking boots and trainers, which worked perfectly. Flip-flops, sandals, or Crocs are a definite no-go.

You’ll be wearing a fitted harness, so avoid cropped tops or jumpers that might rub or ride up. And given the unpredictability of UK weather, a lightweight raincoat is always a good idea, just in case!

If you’ve got long hair, tie it back securely or wear a hat (a bobble hat works great) to keep it out of your face and out of the equipment.

One thing we forgot was gloves. It can get chilly up in the trees, especially in autumn and winter, and gloves make a big difference. If you forget, you can buy a pair at the Go Ape cabin when you check in.

Go Ape Cannock Prices

• Treetop Challenge: £36.95 per person (plus booking fee)
• Treetop Adventure Plus: £26.95 per person (plus booking fee)
• Treetop Adventure: From £21.95 per person (plus booking fee)

Booking online is recommended to avoid disappointment.

Cannock Chase Car Park Charges

• Free for Go Ape members
• Up to 1 hour: £3.80
• Up to 2 hours: £7.30
• Up to 3 hours: £10.50
• All day: £12.00

For the most up-to-date pricing, be sure to check the Go Ape website.