Activities

Here at Hesley Wood, we have more than 20 activities on offer! For more information, age range recommendations and risk assessments, click on the “Read More” button below each activity.

Instructor Led Activities

Enjoy activities run by our highly trained activity instructors! All equipment is provided. Our instructors will keep you safe, engaged and having fun throughout your time with us! 

Activity sessions are 1 hour long, designed for 10 participants, although special arrangements can be made by contacting the booking team. All young people must be accompanied by responsible adults throughout all activities.

Climbing

Abseiling

Bouldering

Zip Line

Seen something you're interested in? Get In touch.

Crate Stack

Axe Throwing

Archery

Air Rifle Shooting

Water sports run onsite during the summer season from the 1st April to 30th September.

Canoeing

Stand Up Paddleboards

Raft Building

Cube

Obstacle Course

Team Building

Self Led Activities

Self led activities are run by the group’s leaders using our equipment. All equipment required is provided alongside risk assessment and standard operating procedures. A great way to get a few more activities in on your visit!

Cavebus

Cresta Run

Peddle Go Karts

Soft Archery

Soft Axe Throwing

Soft Shot

Grass Sledges

Rotating Climbing Wall

Flintstone Cars

Nature Area

Pioneering Poles

Fire Lighting

Orienteering

Hesley Trail

Beaver Trail

Inflatables

Enjoy yourself on our wide range of bouncy castles and activities! Young people must be supervised during use. Risk assessments provided.

Small Red
Bouncy Castle

Medium Green Bouncy Castle

Large Purple
Bouncy Castle

Bouncy Slide

Assault Course

Bungee Run

Penalty Shootout

Basketball

Climbing

Challenge yourself to climb our 7 metre climbing wall, with some fun games and challenges mixed in.

Got some expert climbers or fancy a challenge? Ask to climb on the harder side of our wall!

Suitable age range: All ages, young or old we have a challenge to suit.

Skills:

  • Effective participation
  • Collaboration with others
  • Fun and enjoyment with others
  • Healthy physical activity
  • Self- confidence

Click here to view Risk Assessment.

Abseiling

Conquer your fears by abseiling down our 7 metre climbing wall.

This activity can be well adapted to be accessible to all, just get in touch with our booking team.

Suitable age range: Challenging activity for KS2/Cubs/Brownies. Recommended KS3 and above.

Skills:

  • Risk awareness & risk management
  • Self-management
  • Self-confidence
  • Self-esteem
  • Experiencing awe & wonder at nature

Click here to view Risk Assessment.

Bouldering

Bouldering involves climbing without ropes, focusing on teamwork, personal growth and fun! Bouldering is a great stepping stone to build confidence in young people, preparing them for more adventurous activities in future.

Suitable age range: Ideal for younger groups – KS2/Cubs/Brownies and below.

Skills:

  • Risk awareness & risk management
  • Independent enquiry
  • Teamworking
  • Collaboration with others
  • Fun and enjoyment with others

Click here to view Risk Assessment.

Zip Line

Take an exciting ride down our 70 metre long zip line!

Suitable age range: Recommended for KS2/Cubs/Brownies and below.

Note: The Zip Line has a 70kg (11 stone) weight limit and 5’10” (178 cm) height limit.

Skills:

  • Risk awareness & risk management
  • Self-management
  • Fun and enjoyment with others
  • Time in natural places
  • Self-confidence

Click here to view Risk Assessment.

Crate Stack

Work together to build your crate tower as high as you can!

Suitable age range: Suitable for everyone! Smaller people will require more help from adults.

Skills:

  • Risk awareness & risk management
  • Communication
  • Leadership
  • Learning to work in teams
  • Resilience

Click here to view Risk Assessment.

Axe Throwing

Become your inner Viking on our Axe Throwing Range. Watch your skills improve with our Angel Axes and try your luck with the Tomahawks.

Suitable age range: Recommended for KS2/Cubs/Brownies. Tomahawks are recommended for KS3/Scouts/Guides.

Skills:

  • Risk awareness & risk management
  • Reflective learning
  • Effective participation
  • Fun and enjoyment with others
  • Self-esteem

Click here to view Risk Assessment.

Archery

Become the modern day Robin Hood/Merida with a combination of skills practice and games.

Suitable age range: KS1/Beavers/Rainbows and above. For younger years, check out our soft archery!

Skills:

  • Risk awareness & risk management
  • Reflective learning
  • Effective participation
  • Communication
  • Time in natural/green places

Click here to view Risk Assessment.

Air Rifle Shooting

Try your aim in our dedicated shooting range. We can have up to 6 lines running at a time depending on skill and age range of the group.

Suitable age range: Ideal for older participants.

KS1/Beavers/Rainbows are too young to participate – try soft shot instead!

Note: Parental consent is required for all young people before shooting.

Skills:

  • Reflective learnining
  • Self-management
  • Effective participation
  • Fun and enjoyment with others
  • Self-confidence

Click here to view Risk Assessment.

Canoeing

Our Canadian canoes are a great introduction to paddling and lots of fun to boot!

Suitable age range: Suitable for all age ranges. For smaller participants, adults will be required to help manoeuvre the canoe on the water (Any adult required will not affect your booking numbers). Very young participants, such as squirrels, are too small for water activities.

Skills:

  • Self-management
  • Effective participation
  • Communication
  • Fun and enjoyment with others
  • Developing a healthy lifestyle

Click here to view Risk Assessment.

Stand Up Paddleboards

Be prepared to make a splash on our SUP and earn your “sea” legs. We have individual SUPs and a MEGA SUP available on request.

Suitable age range: Recommended KS3/Scouts/Guides and above. For younger age ranges Mega SUP may be used due weather conditions. Very young participants, such as squirrels, are too small for water activities.

Note: All participants must be able to swim and have suitable, closed toed footwear on.

Skills:

  • Self-management
  • Effective participation
  • Communication
  • Fun and enjoyment with others
  • Developing a healthy lifestyle

Click here to view Risk Assessment.

Raft Building

Work together to build a raft and complete fun challenges and games on your new creations!

Suitable age range: KS2/Cubs/Brownies and above recommended. Younger participants can take part but require additional support from adults. Very young participants, such as squirrels, are too small for water activities.

Skills:

  • Tying knots
  • Creative thinking
  • Teamworking
  • Collaboration with others
  • Creativity and innovation

Click here to view Risk Assessment.

Cube

Can you find your way round our indoor 3 dimensional maze? Inside of the maze is dark and it’s spread over three levels, so it’s a great opportunity to face fears.

Suitable age range: Suitable for all! 

Skills:

  • Self-management
  • Effective participation
  • Communication
  • Fun and enjoyment with others
  • Developing a healthy lifestyle

Click here to view Risk Assessment.

Obstacle Course

Challenge yourself to conquer the obstacles, including a climbing frame and mega see saw! Be warned – it can get rather muddy so come prepared!

Suitable age range: Suitable for KS3/Cubs/Brownies and below.

Skills:

  • Self-management
  • Effective participation
  • Communication
  • Fun and enjoyment with others
  • Developing a healthy lifestyle

Click here to view Risk Assessment.

Team Building

Looking for a way to bring your group together? Our team building session are the way to go. We have lots of team building challenges available, the possibilities are endless!

Suitable age range: Ideal for anyone!

Skills:

  • Self-management
  • Effective participation
  • Communication
  • Fun and enjoyment with others
  • Developing a healthy lifestyle

Click here to view Risk Assessment.

Cavebus

Explore ‘spelunk’ our artificial caving system aboard a bus. Be prepared for some tight squeaks as there are 5 levels to explore!

Suitable age range: Best suited for those that can fit in small spaces

Skills:

  • Self-management
  • Effective participation
  • Communication
  • Positive relationships with peers
  • Learning to work in teams

Click here to view Risk Assessment.

Cresta Run

Take control of the fun and head down Cresta course. On our specially designed sledges you can control the speed and learn to brake.

Suitable age range: Recommended KS2/KS3/Cubs/Brownies/Scouts/Guides.

Note: There is a weight limit of 75kg (12 stone).

Skills:

  • Effective participation
  • Fun and enjoyment with others
  • Healthy physical activity
  • Time in natural/green places
  • Self- confidence

Click here to view Risk Assessment.

Peddle Go Karts

Travel round our purpose-built course on peddle karts. You’ll need a good combination of strength and coordination to keep pedalling see what fun games and tasks you can come up with.

Suitable age range: Recommended KS2/Cubs/Brownies.

Skills:

  • Self-management
  • Fun and enjoyment with others
  • Healthy physical activity
  • Time in natural/green places
  • Self-confidence

Click here to view Risk Assessment.

Soft Archery

Test your aim with our soft archery equipment! Smaller bows and safer arrows make this an ideal choice for a fun time with younger participants.

Suitable age range: Ideal for younger groups – KS2/Cubs/Brownies and below.

Skills:

  • Risk awareness & risk management
  • Reflective learning
  • Effective participation
  • Communication
  • Time in natural/green places

Click here to view Risk Assessment. – COMING SOON

Soft Axe Throwing

Become your inner Viking with our soft axe throwing! Perfect for younger participants to practice in a safe environment.

Suitable age range: Ideal for younger groups – KS2/Cubs/Brownies and below.

Skills:

  • Risk awareness & risk management
  • Reflective learning
  • Effective participation
  • Fun and enjoyment with others
  • Self-esteem

Click here to view Risk Assessment.

Soft Shot

Get your youngsters involved in target sports with our crossbows and nerf guns. Practice aiming at the targets and/or tins and see what they get.

Suitable age range: Recommended for KS1/KS2/Squirrels/Rainbows/Beavers/Brownies/Cubs.

Skills:

  • Self-management
  • Effective participation
  • Communication
  • Fun and enjoyment with others
  • Personal development

Click here to view Risk Assessment.

Grass Sledges

No need to wait for the snow with these sledges on tracks. Keep your arms and legs inside as you zoom down our grassy slopes.

Suitable age range: Recommended KS1/KS2/Squirrels/Rainbows/Beavers/Brownies/Cubs.

Skills:

  • Risk awareness & risk management
  • Fun and enjoyment with others
  • Healthy physical activity
  • Time in natural/green places
  • Self- confidence

Click here to view Risk Assessment.

Rotating Climbing Wall

Test your climbing ability and endurance with our motorised rotating climbing wall. A great way to tire out a group whilst having lots of fun! Several different route options as well as adjustable tilt and speed can make it a challenge for anyone.

Suitable age range: Perfect for any age!

Skills:

  • Risk awareness & risk management
  • Independent enquiry
  • Teamworking
  • Collaboration with others
  • Fun and enjoyment with others

Click here to view Risk Assessment.

Flintstone Cars

Test your knot skills with our dry land rafting, building your Flintstone Car with barrels and poles tying them together – just try not to get knotted up!

Suitable age range: Recommend KS3/Scouts/Guides and above.

Skills:

  • Tying knots
  • Effective participation
  • Communication
  • Teamwork
  • Developing a healthy lifestyle

Click here to view Risk Assessment.

Nature Area

Explore our lovely nature using our resources to guide your learning and exploration.

Suitable age range: Most suited for young participants, KS2/Cubs/Brownies and below.

Skills:

  • Navigation
  • Reflective learning
  • Teamworking
  • Developing a healthy lifestyle
  • Connecting with nature

Click here to view Risk Assessment.

Pioneering Poles

See what you can build with our pioneering poles – your imagination is the only limit!

Suitable age range: All ages – Ensure project aim is appropriate for age range.

Skills:

  • Risk awareness & risk management
  • Creative thinking
  • Teamworking
  • Collaboration with others
  • Leadership

Due to the mixed nature of pioneering projects, risk assessments are not provided. Please conduct a risk assessment relevant to your project before commencing.

Fire Lighting

Use our altar fires to test your fire lighting abilities! Why not try make some tasty camp snacks?

Suitable age range: All ages. Ensure activity goals are suitable for the group.

Skills:

  • Personal skills
  • Teamwork
  • Communication
  • Time in nature
  • Bushcraft skills

Click here to view Risk Assessment.

Orienteering

Information

Hesley Trail

Want to explore the site without complicated maps? Try the Hesley Trail! Develop your detective skills to find our more about our site.

Suitable age range: Most suited for younger groups though all can participate!

Skills:

  • Navigation
  • Reflective learning
  • Teamworking
  • Developing a healthy lifestyle
  • Connecting with nature

Click here to view Risk Assessment.

Beaver Trail

Why not try find all the beavers around site? Use our clues to make sure you find them all!

Suitable age range: KS1/Beavers/Rainbows

Skills:

  • Navigation
  • Reflective learning
  • Teamworking
  • Developing a healthy lifestyle
  • Connecting with nature

Click here to view Risk Assessment.

Inflatables

Skills:

  • Risk awareness & risk management
  • Self-management
  • Effective participation
  • Fun and enjoyment with others
  • Healthy physical activity

Click here to view Risk Assessment.

Note: Bungee Run must be instructor led.