The Sprout

Review: Go Ape @ Margam

Postiwyd gan Tom_Bevan o Caerdydd - Cyhoeddwyd ar 26/03/2013 am 16:14
4 sylwadau » - Tagiwyd fel Gweithgareddau Gwyliau Ysgol, Chwaraeon a Hamdden

Tweet

Go Ape kindly invited TheSprout down to Margam Country Park and Tom from the Sprout Editorial Group was selected to go at our editorial meeting.

The next meeting is in Central Library on Thursday (28th March 2013), why not pop along and pick up something to review?

It had been a bitter and blustery start to the week in the Welsh capital.

I managed to lose my railcard between home and the station, forgot to take painkillers for a wisdom tooth inspired gum infection and my life as a hectic urbanite was getting me down. It hadn’t been the best morning.

But after a thirty-minute train ride from Cardiff to Port Talbot and a quick bus across to Margam, my stress was forgotten.

Nestled in amongst 800 acres of stunning Margam Country Park landscape, itself set against the striking shadow of power station and distant glint of North Atlantic ocean, the sense of escape surfaced at Go Ape long before the harnesses. The UK’s leading provider of "tree top adventures" is enjoying its fifth season in South Wales since opening in 2009, and from its warm and welcoming staff to a varied course of Tarzan swings, challenging crossings and zip wires a plenty it supplied a dose of outdoor exhilaration I needed.

I’d been to the Forest of Dean centre a few years back and whilst Go Ape-virgin Melissa (Lemonnhead to the Sproutiverse, pictured) was a tad apprehensive as we arrived at the park, the distant screams and shouts of encouragement from the canopy inverted any residue frown on my part. After half-an-hour of rope, carabiner and safety training from engaging centre manager Pete (and his Cockapoo Scrappy) soon the forest was ours.

From balance beams and rope nets to jungle vines and wooden tubes, the crossings between trees increased in difficulty and height. Each section ended with a zip wire to the forest floor, the treat at the end of some challenging obstacles, before it was back up the rope ladder for the next level. Terrifying and thrilling in equal measure, this was an experience to relish; once initial nerves passed, the idyllic branch-splayed sunlight, gorgeous views and mix of birdsong and banter was near perfect. A tourism boost for an area characterised by a slowly diminishing industrial heartbeat, the centre is open right through until November and attracts families, hen and stag dos, work groups and many more. On our visit we met couples, siblings and a 21st birthday party.

We spent about three hours in the trees but time was left behind and the outside world briefly faded away. A suitable place for the word epic, the only criticism to be found was the lack of an onsite coffee machine; the adrenaline rush and spring air left us spoiled souls in need of something warm.

An ideal opportunity to challenge your fears and do something a little extreme within a safe, friendly and beautiful environment. A brilliant half-term treat; go ape and you won’t forget it.

Gorillas (18+ & Under 130kg/20.5st) - £30

Baboons (10-17 & Over 1.4m/4ft 7in tall) - £24

Under-18s must be supervised by a participating adult.

See their website for more info about Go Ape at Margam Country Park

Info Â» Sport & Leisure Â» Outdoor Sports Â» Outdoor Pursuits

Articles Â» Categories Â» School Holiday Activities