Fun Days
Holne Park House offeres a range of Fun Days to cater for every occasion, which can involve a combination of any of the following 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 the delegates will learn the basics of climbing and abseiling including belaying, technique and some ropework. We provide transport from Holne Park and all safety equipment. delegates need to wear clothing suitable to the weather expected but this should be with long sleeves and legs with securely laced trainers.
Indoor Climbing & Bouldering
For when the weather is not great or for honing skills or introducing 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.
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 delegates 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 delegates 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 delegates need and give them the skills they 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 the delegates 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 a first Kayaking experience or for building an elementary skills base. 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 delegates have their own wetsuits then please bring them along, otherwise they need a 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 Rafting
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. 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. Due to the archaic access laws in this country the river is only open for rafting during the fishing closed season from October until the end of March so will only be possible for groups that book during this period. Call us to discuss whether this option is suitable for your delegates.
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 a first canoeing experience or for building an 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 delegates have their own wetsuits then please bring them along, otherwise they need a 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 of delegates where within the constraints of a brief given by the instructor they construct their 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 delegates will also learn some useful knots and lashings. If delegates have their own wetsuits then please bring them along, otherwise they need a 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.
Estuary Canoeing
Let your group enjoy open canoeing at its best on a day trip or multi-day self-supported expedition on the estuary of the River Dart. They will 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 all ages 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.
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 a first caving experience and the activity is suitable for anyone with sufficent mobilty. delegates 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 for those looking for a squeeze then we can always find them a challenge! We provide transport from Holne Park and all specialist equipment incuding an overall. Delegates need to wear their bathing costume underneath and ideally a pair of fleecy jogging pants and jumper with a thermal top. If they have their own wellies then they should bring them along.
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 the delegates 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. delegates 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 some bikes 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 group's' legs will be trembling but once they are back on the ground they will be running back for another go! As with all our on site treetop activities delegates need to dress according to the weather but with long trousers and sleeves.
Pamper Pole
This activity is anything but pampering... delegates 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 their feet are on the ground... As with all our on site treetop activities delegates 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 their team, delegates need to climb a large 'ladder' made of wire and telegraph poles suspended between two trees. This tests not only their physical strength but also their agility and teamwork. As with all our on site treetop activities delegates need to dress according to the weather but with long trousers and sleeves.
Crates
Together with the rest of their team the challenge is that the delegates, with a time constraint, construct a tower of crates while standing on top of the tower. They are secured with ropes as they ascend and the tower eventually collapses but hopefully with the help of their instructor once their time is up! This activity favours those who played with Lego as children! As with all our on site treetop activities delegates need to dress according to the weather but with long trousers and sleeves.
Balance Beams
Another of our treetop favourites the challenge is for delegates to walk along horizontal telegraph poles set high up in the trees. The key word in the last sentence is definitely 'high' but they will be secured by a rope and harness controlled by the rest of their group! As with all our on site treetop activities delegates 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 delegates walking along a wire leaning on their partner until they 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 delegates 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 delegates 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. As with all our on site treetop activities delegates need to dress according to the weather but with long trousers and sleeves.
Team Tasks and Treasure Hunts
We have a chest full of cerebally and physically challenging tasks guaranteed to vex even those that think they know all the solutions! The majority of the tasks make use of our extensive 90 acre grounds, which is also a perfect area for the ultimate 'treasure hunt'.
We Work on the rule of one instructor for every eight delegates, but please contact us for specific requirements.
We always aim to exceed your expectations and our flexibility, dedicated staff and experience, ensures that we can tailor a bespoke package to your requirements.