General Activities
Rock Climbing & Abseiling
Due to our location on the edge of Dartmoor we are spoilt for choice with several popular climbing locations with routes of varying degrees of difficulty all within half an hour's drive away. For introductory climbing sessions we tend to use Leigh Tor, Haytor, Dewerstone, or Sheeps Tor. This activity is suitable for persons of all ages and you will learn the basics of climbing and abseiling including belaying, technique and some ropework. We provide transport from Holne Park and all safety equipment. Bring clothing suitable to the weather expected but this should be with long sleeves and legs. If you do not have climbing shoes then securely laced trainers are fine. This activity is available on week days during the school summer holiday as part of the Day Activity programme - see the menu above for more details.
Indoor Climbing & Bouldering
For when the weather is not great or if you want to hone your skills or introduce a group to climbing then we have a popular indoor wall at Holne Park. During the winter months the climbing wall is open several evenings a week to members of the public through our club. For additional details on booking and using the climbing wall see the separate climbing wall homepage, accessible from the menu above. This activity is available during the school summer and Easter holidays as part of the Dare Devil programme - see the menu above for more details.
Low Level Walks
Located where we are in the Dartmoor National Park we are in the perfect location for heading out on low level walks on roads, tracks & open moorland. The benefits of doing this with us are that we can teach you navigation skills and safety awareness as well as sharing our local knowledge of many of the hidden secrets that you could possibly otherwise just pass by. The Dartmoor landscape is a rich tapestry of a rugged landscape interweaved by wild rivers and ancient woodland. It is also rich in history with visible remains from neolithic monuments to nineteenth century mine workings.The route and length of any walk will be tailored to the participants. What you need to bring will depend on what time of the year you book for so we will advise you accordingly.
Low Level Moorland Expeditions
The expeditions share the same format as the low level walks except they include overnight wilderness camping. We provide all the specialist equipment that you need and give you the skills you need to safely plan and enjoy a low level multiday hiking trip. The route and length of any walk will be tailored to the participants. What you need to bring will depend on what time of the year you book for so we will advise you accordingly.
Flat Water Kayaking
In the extensive grounds of Holne Park we have a number of sheltered lakes that are absolutely perfect for your first Kayaking experience or building your elementary skills base. Have you bought a sit-on-top kayak for your family? If so then this is the perfect activity to learn the basic skills and safety awareness you need to get the most out of your purchase. We can arrange if required training and assessment for the British Canoe Union Coaching awards. We have a modern fleet of kayaks and provide all the specialist equipment. If you have your own wetsuit then please bring it along, otherwise wear your bathing costume and a thermal top (Helly Hansen style - NOT cotton) or fleece. Don't forget a pair of old training shoes that can get wet - not Crocs or similar slip on shoes.
Whitewater Kayaking
One of the Meccas of UK whitewater paddling, the River Dart runs through our grounds making us the perfect location to get your teeth into this incredibly popular and rapidly growing sport. Due to the archaic access laws in this country the river is only open to kayakers during the fishing closed season from October until the end of March. We can organise whitewater kayaking sessions only for people who have already attended an introductory course or who have documented prior experience. If you would like to experience the whitewater on a one-off session then book one of our rafting trips!
Whitewater Rafting
As we describe above, we are well positioned for the ultimate whitewater experience. Not many people realise that it is possible to do whitewater rafting in Devon or that the county is incredibly popular within the paddlesport community for its steep granite rivers with their challenging rapids. For full details of the rafting activities that we offer take a look at the separate rafting page reached via the menu on the left.
Open Canoeing
As with the flat water kayaing we make use of the sheltered lakes in the extensive grounds of Holne Park, which are absolutely perfect for your first canoeing experience or for building your elementary skills base. We have a modern fleet of open canoes based on the traditional 'Red Indian' design and teach the basics of handling a canoe as well as some elementary safety and rescue techniques. We can arrange if required training and assessment for the British Canoe Union Coaching awards. We provide all the specialist equipment. If you have your own wetsuit then please bring it along, otherwise wear your bathing costume and a thermal top (Helly Hansen style - NOT cotton) or fleece. Don't forget a pair of old training shoes that can get wet - not Crocs or similar slip on shoes.
Improvised Raft Building
This is a great activity for a group where within the constraints of a brief given by your instructor you construct your own raft and sail it across the lake. This is particularly fun when you do this as a challenge against another group and it is very unlikely that you will stay dry! Apart from the obvious fun it is a great test of teamwork and you also learn some useful knots and lashings. If you have your own wetsuit then please bring it along, otherwise wear your bathing costume (underneath) and a thermal top (Helly Hansen style - NOT cotton) with some jogging pants and a fleece. Don't forget a pair of old training shoes that can get wet - not Crocs or similar slip on shoes.
Estuary Canoeing
Enjoy open canoeing at its best on a day trip or multi-day self-supported expedition on the estuary of the River Dart. Use a canoe from our modern fleet based on the traditional 'Red Indian' design and enjoy some of the best landscapes in Devon. This activity is suitable for everyone but the clothing you need to wear and what you should bring depend on the time of year of your booking so we will advise you accordingly. This activity is available on week days during the school summer holiday as part of the Day Activity programme - see the menu above for more details.
Caving
If you were beginning to think that our location was unbelievably good for outdoor activities then the fact that we are five minutes away from Pridhamsleigh Caverns should confirm this! The caves are perfect for your first caving experience and the activity is suitable for anyone with sufficent mobilty. Those of you with a pre-conception of caving as being small tunnels and tight squeezes will be blown away by the church sized Bishop's Chamber but if you do like a squeeze then we can always find you a challenge! We provide transport from Holne Park and all specialist equipment incuding an overall. You need to wear your bathing costume underneath and ideally a pair of fleecy jogging pants and jumper with a thermal top. If you have your own wellies then bring them along. This activity is available on week days during the school summer holiday as part of the Day Activity programme - see the menu above for more details.
Mountain Biking
We are again ideally located for mountain biking with several trails on the moor suitable for short or whole day trips. We have a modern fleet of Trek mountain bikes with front suspension and our qualified guides will take you on a guided trip tailored to your group. During the trip they will teach you the basic techniques of off-road biking and how to get the most from your bike. We provide the bike and all necessary safety equipment. You should dress according to the weather forecast in clothing and footwear suitable for cycling. We also hire out our bikes so after an introductory session you may want to hire a bike and put your new skills to the test up on the moor!
Zip Wire
A zip wire needs little introduction but ours are slightly different in that you have a choice of two starting from high up in a tree before you fly across a lake to the far bank over eighty feet away! Going up the ladder your legs will be trembling but when you are back on the ground you'll be running back for another go! This activity is available during the school summer and Easter holidays as part of the Dare Devil programme - see the menu above for more details. As with all our on site treetop activities you need to dress according to the weather but with long trousers and sleeves.
Pamper Pole
This activity is anything but pampering... you climb to the top of a pole while attached to a rope then jump off and attempt to touch a swinging ball. This looks easy when your feet are on the ground... As with all our on site treetop activities you need to dress according to the weather but with long trousers and sleeves.
Jacob's Ladder
Not quite of Biblical proportions but the challenge is together with your team to climb a large 'ladder' made of wire and telegraph poles suspended between two trees. This tests not only your physical strength but also your agility and teamwork. As with all our on site treetop activities you need to dress according to the weather but with long trousers and sleeves.
Crates
Together with your team the challenge is with a time constraint to construct a tower of crates while standing on top of the tower. You are secured with ropes as you ascend and the tower eventually collapses but hopefully with the help of your instructor once your time is up! This activity favours bricklayers and those who played with Lego as children! As with all our on site treetop activities you need to dress according to the weather but with long trousers and sleeves.
Balance Beams
Another of our treetop favourites the challenge is to walk along horizontal telegraph poles set high up in the trees. The key word in the last sentence is definitely 'high' but you will be secured by a rope and harness controlled by the rest of your group! As with all our on site treetop activities you need to dress according to the weather but with long trousers and sleeves.
High Vs
If you thought the balance beams were high then this vertigo challenging activity will have you walking along a wire leaning on your partner until you both fall. Those that are good at this activity can, with a trusting partner, be almost horizontal before they are forced to let go and be lowered to the ground. As with all our on site treetop activities you need to dress according to the weather but with long trousers and sleeves.
High Ropes Course
The ultimate treetop activity is the high ropes course, which is ultimately an aerial assault course that you tackle with the security of a climbing harness and safety line. Unlike many high ropes courses ours really is high and is also completely based in the trees with a variety of challenging obastacles. Participants need to be a minimum of eight years old and at least 5'4" in order to be able to reach the safety points. This activity is available during the school summer and Easter holidays as part of the Dare Devil programme - see the menu above for more details. As with all our on site treetop activities you need to dress according to the weather but with long trousers and sleeves.