GoApe
In October 1912 the first adventures of Tarzan of the Apes were published, making this year the 100th anniversary of Edgar Rice Burroughs’s tree swinging jungle hero. Born into English artistocracy as John Clayton when his parents were marooned in Africa, Tarzan was brought up by apes and learnt the law of the jungle.
Zip Wire at The Eden Project, Cornwall
Prepare your vocal chords for a resounding cry of “Tarzaaaaan”, as you launch yourself off The Eden Project’s new zipwire. Launched in July, it’s the longest zipwire in England and gives visitors an exhilarating ride across the top of the world-famous Biomes.
Whilst you won’t get any jungle views, you will enjoy exotic sights of St. Austell Bay and the beautiful countryside that surrounds Eden. Strapped into a safety harness and suspended from a wire spanning the width of Eden’s 35 acre pit, visitors can experience the 660m long ride over the rooftop of the Rainforest and the Mediterranean Biome.
SkyWire is the latest installation of adventurous activities at Eden, complementing the Rock Wall and the Bouldering Wall for visitors who are hunting down extreme sports in Cornwall.
SkyWire costs £5 on top of the Eden entrance price and £10 if visitors are not entering the Eden site on the day.
Extreeme Adventure, Norfolk
Extreeme Adventure is a high ropes course, built in some of the tallest trees in Eastern England in the beautiful "New Wood", part of Norfolk’s Weasenham Woods. Hours of adrenalin- rushing family fun (for those aged 10 years plus) which takes aerial trekking to new extremes.
Swing, climb and jump at 20ft (or 40ft for the more adventurous!) up in the trees, where there are over 20 different elements to conquer. A unique tree climbing course has just been constructed and opened in June of this year, adding even more thrill-filled fun for visitors.
Prices are £25 per person for a 2-and-a-half hour course.
Go Ape! Nationwide
Leave your loincloth at home and Go Ape! Navigate the treetops via zip wires, rope bridges and tarzan swings at one of 28 Go Ape locations around the country, all set in spectacular forest locations. If you’d rather keep both feet on the ground, opt for a Forest Segway safari instead.
If Tarzan had been set in the 21st century, this would no doubt have been his mode of transport. Like all the best things in life, Go Ape! is even better shared – bring your tribe, whether that’s work colleagues or a bunch of mates.
Forest doors open from February to November and prices are £30 for adults and £20 for 10-17 year olds for a 2-3 hour experience.
Chewton Glen Tree House Suites, Hampshire
New for 2012, and yet again jungle tree-top inspired, the award-winning five-star Chewton Glen has recently opened six Tree House Suites within the grounds of the hotel.
The Tree House Suites appear to float across a wooded valley and offer impeccable eco credentials, along with Chewton Glen's world-renowned service and attention to detail. Each tree house sits on stilts and boasts floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views of the New Forest. They will provide a feeling of showering under the stars, with a spa bath and fire pit on the deck and a covered outdoors.
Prices are from £490 per night.
For other outdoor adventures and activity-packed holiday inspiration, visit www.visitengland.com
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Shabana Adam