Adventure Bristol is the treetop high ropes and zip line course set in the woods at Ashton Court Estate, a short walk from the Golf Course car park. A 90-minute session costs £21.95 for children and students and £23.95 for adults, and it suits anyone from a confident 6-year-old up to adults after an afternoon of rope bridges, tree-to-tree zips and a finishing zip wire.
What the course involves
The course is based in Summerhouse Plantation, tucked among mature trees a few minutes' walk from the car park. You get harnessed up by an instructor with a helmet, harness and belay device (the site uses the Edelrid Belay X clip-in system), then get a safety briefing and a go on a practice course before heading up into the trees.
From there you choose between three routes, easy, medium and hard, each with a different mix of walkways, wobbly bridges, swinging logs and leaps between platforms, plus tree-to-tree zips along the way. Every route finishes with a zip wire back down. You move at your own pace over the 90-minute session, so there's usually time to try more than one route or repeat an easier one if you want to build confidence first.
Routes, duration and who they suit
| Element | What it involves | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Practice course | Short intro obstacles before the main routes | Everyone, first stop after harnessing up |
| Easy route | Walkways and simpler crossings | First-timers, younger kids, nervous climbers |
| Medium route | Swinging logs and tougher crossings | Confident older kids and adults |
| Hard route | The toughest obstacles and longer leaps | Thrill-seekers, stag and hen groups, adults wanting a challenge |
| Zip wire finish | One zip line to finish each route | Everyone completing that route |
| Whole session | 90 minutes, self-paced across all three routes | £21.95 child/student, £23.95 adult |
Age limits, safety kit and what to wear
The operator sets a minimum age of 6, and any child under 8 needs an accompanying adult (16 or over) taking part alongside them. The exact number of children one adult can supervise varies between pages on the operator's own site, so check the current group ratio when you book rather than relying on a number here.
Wear comfortable clothes you can climb in, trousers or long shorts work better than skirts or dresses, and sensible closed-toe footwear such as trainers. Take off jewellery and tie back long hair before you get harnessed up. Gloves are recommended for grip on the ropes; bring your own, borrow a pair, or buy some on the day. Bring a water bottle and any medication or inhalers you need, since you'll be in the woods for the full session. Booking platforms selling tickets for the course also note it isn't recommended if you're pregnant, have a pacemaker or insulin pump, or have a serious heart or spinal condition, so check with the operator directly if any of that applies to you.
Getting there and parking
Adventure Bristol sits inside Ashton Court Estate, and the easiest approach is the Clifton Lodge car park (also signposted as the Golf Course car park), which is what the operator means when they tell you to put "Pedal Progression" into your sat nav. As covered in our Ashton Court parking guide, that car park charges from £1.50 for up to an hour, rising with longer stays, and Blue Badge holders park free. From there it's an 8 to 10 minute walk downhill through the woods to the course, so it's worth arriving around 30 minutes before your session to park, use the café toilets and walk down in good time. Aim to be at the course itself about 10 minutes before your start time.
If you'd rather not drive, the course is roughly a 25-minute walk from the Clifton Suspension Bridge, close to the Long Ashton Park & Ride and a short walk from the Bower Ashton UWE campus. Cyclists can pick up National Cycle Route 33 (the Festival Way) from central Bristol, and the X3, X3a and X4 buses stop on the edge of the estate.
Who it suits
It works well as a family day out once kids are old enough to meet the age minimum, as a slightly more active alternative to the deer park and mountain bike trails covered in our Bristol with kids guide. Birthday parties get extra time in a covered woodland party area afterwards, and groups can add a pizza oven for a small fee (bring your own pizzas). It's also a solid fit for a stag or hen activity that isn't based around drinking, and for corporate team-building days or school trips, since the operator runs all of these alongside general public sessions.
Booking tips
Book online in advance, especially for weekends, since sessions run in timed slots and popular times fill up. If you're planning a party or a larger group, flag that when booking so you get the right add-ons, such as the parachute party area. Prices, age rules and opening days can change, so treat the figures above as a guide and confirm the current details on the operator's own site before you travel.
FAQs
Is there a minimum age or height for Adventure Bristol?
The minimum age is 6. Children under 8 need an accompanying adult (16 or over) taking part with them. No specific height requirement is published, so check with the operator if you have concerns about a younger or smaller child.
How much does it cost and how long does a session last?
A session runs for 90 minutes and currently costs £21.95 for children and students, and £23.95 for adults. Confirm current prices when you book, since they can change.
What should I wear?
Comfortable clothes you can climb in, ideally trousers or long shorts, plus trainers or other closed-toe shoes. Take off jewellery and tie back long hair. Gloves help with grip and you can bring your own, borrow a pair, or buy some on site.
Where do I park?
Use the Clifton Lodge car park at Ashton Court, signposted as the Golf Course car park (enter "Pedal Progression" into your sat nav). It's an 8 to 10 minute walk downhill through the woods to the course, and parking charges from £1.50 for up to an hour.
Is it suitable for beginners and nervous climbers?
Yes. There's a practice course before the main routes, and the easy route sticks to simpler walkways and crossings. You move at your own pace across the 90-minute session, so you can stay on the easier route or try all three.
Can I get there without a car?
Yes. It's about a 25-minute walk from the Clifton Suspension Bridge, close to the Long Ashton Park & Ride and the Bower Ashton UWE campus, and the X3, X3a and X4 buses stop on the edge of the estate.