We love to find adventure where we live, so when I found out that the Big Tree Climbing team was heading to Golden Cap, Dorset, I rushed to get the boys booked in.
A “yellow cloud of doom” weather warning for rain and high winds was hovering over us yesterday and I did have serious doubts that it would be on, but a quick tweet to my local NT Recruiter @Jurassiccoastin to find out told me that it would be on whatever the weather.
Golden Cap is an hour and a half drive from us in Bournemouth over Dorset’s rolling hills and it is normally a drive I enjoy as the views are spectacular, however, the drive was horrendous thanks to heavy rain and pea souper fog – I could barely see one car in front, never mind anymore. As we reached Bridport it started to clear, and although Golden Cap was still shrouded in mist, I was more confident that it would be at least drier than it had been all day.
We parked up and got led around a very muddy path to find the trees we were to be climbing and the boys got kitted up with safety harnesses and helmets.
There was an instructor who showed them the ropes, literally, who was also on hand to offer reassurance to Isaac who was the youngest participant there and was a little nervous surrounded by lots of teenagers. Kian was off and flying almost immediately and reached the tree canopy fairly quickly.
Isaac was more a “slowly and surely” climber but he was determined to get as high as he could. He was still powering on when Kian came down and took his turn on the zip line before heading back for another climb. This time he stopped by Isaac and encouraged him to go higher and even though he didn’t make it to the top like his big brother he did get a very respectable 3/4 of the way up.
Isaac came back down to have his turn on the zip wire and then it time for some wild cooking which Eliza got to join in with too. The kids made some dough, before wrapping it around a warm stick and cooking it over a fire to make bread which was surprisingly delicious.
We had a great time in the great outdoors and hope to do it again soon.
For Tree Climbing events near you, check out the Great Big Tree Climbing Co on facebook as they run events all over the country!
I have to admit to not being a massive fan of tree climbing myself but I can see why the kids would love it!
What fantastic fun! I used to love climbing trees as a child, and I think my two have inherited that! 🙂
That looks awesome! My two would love to do this x
Oh wow this looks fantastic – I have to admit I used to adore climbing trees as a child. x
What a great adventure. I could do with learning some wild cooking skills myself.
What a great thing for the kids to do. I love Dorset.
How cool is this?! My children would love it
What a fab activity, it’s great that it carried on despite the weather warning. Kian and Isaac look like they’re having a fab time climbing together, it’s so lovely that the second time around Kian climbed with his brother encouraging him to keep going higher, 3/4’s of the way up is a highly respectable height. We’ve made bread on sticks before the kids absolutely love the stuff. Thanks for linking up with me on Country Kids.
We’re always up for a bit of wild cooking! The tree climbing thing would terrify me though!
OMG, Mini was looking over my shoulder when I was reading this and said that he HAS to do this. I am now off to look and see if there is anything near us
Oh gosh I know POD would absolutely love this but I suspect she’d be too small. It sounds absolutely brilliant. She loves climbing trees (even those with no branches!) so it’s definitely one of her in the future. Sounds like the boys had a blast!
I can totally see why kids would love this place! what an adventure! x
What a great place! Would be wonderful to go there for an adventure.
Golden Cap is so beautiful! Well done for braving the weather – we have had some horrendous days this holidays haven’t we!
oh i have three little ones who would love this so much
What a great activity!, I’m sure my three would love this