Set within the pine trees of Sherwood Forest, The Woodland Adventure Zone is an outdoor activity centre built in the grounds of Portland College in Nottingham. It is a purpose-built, fully accessible forest adventure with facilities designed so that wheelchair users and people with disabilities can join in.

Activities on offer include a 90 metre zipline, abseiling, a leap of faith, an accessible climbing wall, bushcraft and a bike trail. Outdoor adventure centres like this suit individuals, families and groups alike, catering for complete beginners as well as those looking for more of a thrill.

Fully accessible

Woodland setting

Range of activities

For all abilities

Groups and families

Parties catered for

The Woodland Adventure Zone is an accessible outdoor activity centre in Sherwood Forest, Nottingham.

The Woodland Adventure Zone

Set within Battersea Park, Go Ape brings high ropes adventures to central London. The course is designed for families, with climbing, swinging and ziplining suitable for kids, teens and adults looking for something a bit more daring.

Outdoor activity centres like this are a good way to spend a few active hours outdoors, whether you are visiting as a family, with friends or as part of a group. Sessions are booked in advance, so it is worth checking availability before you go.

Family friendly

High ropes and ziplines

Central London setting

Group visits

Range of adventures

Go Ape Battersea offers family-friendly high ropes and ziplines in Battersea Park, central London.

Go Ape Battersea

Set on the edge of Upminster in Greater London, Stubbers Adventure Centre is an outdoor activity centre offering things to do across both land and water. Activities on offer include target sports such as archery and rifle shooting, abseiling, water sports and off road driving, with sessions aimed at a range of ages and abilities.

Outdoor adventure centres like this are a good option for trying something new in a coached, supervised setting. Stubbers also caters for parties, family visits, group bookings, corporate away days and camping, making it suitable for individuals and organised groups alike.

Land and water

Kids and families

Group bookings

Camping available

Stubbers Adventure Centre in Upminster offers outdoor activities including archery, abseiling, water sports and off road driving.

Stubbers Adventure Centre

Set in Newark, Nottinghamshire, this outdoor activity centre offers a range of pursuits for visitors looking to spend time being active in the open air. Activities on offer include watersports, cycling, falconry and adventure golf, with booking in advance recommended for the best choice and availability.

Outdoor activity centres like this one are a good option for families, groups and anyone keen to try something new outdoors. With several different activities available, there is usually something to suit a mix of ages and interests across a visit.

Book in advance

Outdoor activity centre in Newark, Nottinghamshire offering watersports, cycling, falconry and adventure golf.

Outdoor Activity Centre

Set beside a reservoir in Gorton on the eastern edge of Manchester, Debdale Outdoor Centre is a watersports base on Hyde Road. The reservoir is the focus, with sailing, windsurfing and paddling all on offer, whether you want to follow a structured RYA course or simply hire a paddleboard and head out on the water.

Outdoor activity centres like this are a good way to try something new on the water, build confidence through recognised courses or enjoy a casual session in the open air. Suitable for beginners and those with a little more experience alike.

Debdale Outdoor Centre in Gorton, Manchester offers reservoir sailing, windsurfing, paddling and RYA courses, plus paddleboard hire.

Debdale Outdoor Centre

Set in the heart of London's Docklands, Shadwell Basin Outdoor Activity Centre offers a range of outdoor activities right on the water. It's a spot where people of all ages can try something new and get out on the open air within the city.

Outdoor activity centres like this are a good way to build confidence, learn practical skills and enjoy time away from screens. Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to develop existing skills, sessions are typically suited to a variety of experience levels.

Shadwell Basin Outdoor Activity Centre in London's Docklands offers outdoor activities on the water for all ages.

Shadwell Basin Outdoor Activity Centre

Set in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, The Mill Adventure Base is a purpose-built urban adventure centre run as part of Notts Outdoors. It offers outdoor learning for children and young people, working with schools and groups as well as families and individuals across the county and further afield.

Outdoor activity centres like this are a good way to build confidence, resilience and teamwork through practical sessions away from the classroom. Alongside day and residential school visits, the base runs holiday clubs, short breaks and Duke of Edinburgh residentials, with options for home education too.

Schools and groups

Families and individuals

Duke of Edinburgh

Home education options

Urban adventure centre

Outdoor learning

The Mill Adventure Base is a purpose-built outdoor activity centre in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire.

The Mill Adventure Base

Set in Hounslow, Greater London, Hobbledown Heath is an outdoor adventure and animal park built around family days out. Alongside outdoor play areas, there is an indoor playbarn, a net park called Gripped, and a range of animals to see, including birds of prey.

An outdoor activity park like this is a good option for families with children, offering a mix of things to explore whatever the weather. Animal experiences are also available, from meeting meerkats and lemurs to feeding capybaras and Highland cows, giving younger visitors a closer look at the animals.

Great for families

Animals to see

Indoor and outdoor play

Animal experiences

Food and drink

Annual passes

Hobbledown Heath is a family adventure and animal park in Hounslow with outdoor play, an indoor playbarn and animals.

Hobbledown Heath

Set in the village of Greenfield near Oldham, The Boarshurst Centre is a base for outdoor activities on the edge of the Peak District. It sits in the valley of the River Chew in Saddleworth and is available to book by groups, including university groups. The centre is a registered charity and welcomes volunteers.

With the surrounding hills and countryside close at hand, a centre like this is well suited to walking, group trips and activity breaks that make the most of the local landscape. It offers a convenient starting point for exploring the area around Greenfield and Saddleworth.

The Boarshurst Centre is an outdoor activities base in Greenfield near Oldham, on the edge of the Peak District.

The Boarshurst Centre

Set across 270 acres of countryside on the edge of Nottingham, Holme Pierrepont Country Park is home to the National Water Sports Centre. The park brings together water sports, a gym, camping and a range of outdoor activities in one place, with a lake and open greenery at its heart.

Outdoor activity centres like this suit anyone from casual visitors and families to individuals and groups looking to train or take on something new. Expect a mix of water based pursuits, fitness facilities and space to spend time outdoors.

White water rafting

Gym membership

Camping on site

270 acres of parkland

Elite training centre

Team building

Holme Pierrepont Country Park in Nottingham, home of the National Water Sports Centre, with water sports, a gym and outdoor activities.

Holme Pierrepont Country Park, home of The National Water Sports Centre

Set within Holme Pierrepont Country Park in Nottingham, Sky Trail is a high ropes adventure course built for both adults and children. The dual-level course rises to 12ft and 24ft, with rope walkways, cargo nets, narrow beams and other challenges to tackle as you make your way towards the summit.

High ropes courses like this are a good way to build confidence, balance and coordination in a safe, harnessed environment. They suit family days out, group outings and birthday parties, and can be a friendly first introduction to climbing for newcomers.

For all ages

Dual-level course

Beginner friendly

Groups and parties

Safety briefing included

Country park setting

Sky Trail is a dual-level high ropes adventure course at Holme Pierrepont Country Park in Nottingham, for adults and children.

Sky Trail

Based in Sale, Greater Manchester, Trafford Watersports Centre is part of Peak, an outdoor activities provider that has been running indoor and outdoor adventures since 2000. Its programmes cover a mix of water- and land-based pursuits, including kayaking, sailing and indoor climbing, and take in school trips, residential and youth trips, and development programmes.

Outdoor activity centres like this are a good way to try something new, build confidence and get active in the fresh air, whether as an individual or part of a group. Sessions here are currently provided as part of Keys Group education and commissioned programmes.

Trafford Watersports Centre in Sale, Greater Manchester — outdoor and water activities including kayaking, sailing and climbing.

Outdoor Activities clubs