10 of the best experience days in Gloucestershire

With everything from adrenaline pumping obstacle courses and off-road adventures to vineyard tours and water sports, SoGlos rounds up 10 of the best experience days in and around Gloucestershire.

By Zoe Gater  |  Published
SoGlos rounds up 10 of the best experience days in Gloucestershire.

Whether you're looking to challenge your friends and family on balance beams and obstacle courses, or take on an off-road adventure, find 10 of the best experience days in Gloucestershire - suitable for a variety of ages and abilities - in this handy hot list.

Great for gifts, celebrations, family days out or group get-togethers, find an unforgettable experience in this round up.

Ninja Warrior UK Gloucester

Inspired by the hit ITV show Ninja Warrior UK, people of all ages and abilities can tackle obstacles aplenty with varying degrees of difficulty at Ninja Warrior UK Gloucester. The venue offers something for the the whole family to get involved with, whether you're taking young children and teens for an exciting day out, or looking for a unique date opportunity for competitive couples, with the attraction offering adult-only sessions, too. 

The action-packed activity hub promises heaps of fun and includes climbing, balancing, swinging, jumping - and even a tricky warped wall. 

Wine tasting and tours at Woodchester Valley Vineyard

Offering both group and private tours, Woodchester Valley Vineyard promises a great day out in the Cotswolds - including everything from discovering how the vines are encouraged to grow; how the wine is made; which blends are fermented in which barrels; and a chance to take in the breathtaking views across the vineyard.

For the tasting experience, guests will get to swirl, sip and enjoy generous glasses of delicious Woodchester wine, all of which costs ยฃ15 per person including the vineyard tour! Whatโ€™s more, sparkling wine tours are available, too.

Zookeeper experiences at Cotswold Wildlife Park

Certain to delight animal lovers, Cotswold Wildlife Park gives visitors the chance to be keeper for the day, gaining practical experience working with its resident animals, with activities including mucking out, preparing food and feeding.

The fun-filled day offers the unique opportunity to go behind-the-scenes at the wildlife attraction, working with the keepers on a one-to-one basis and getting up-close and personal with animals such as lemurs, giraffes, penguins and reptiles.

Cookery classes at Harts Barn Cookery School

Pop on your chefโ€™s hat and head to Harts Barn Cookery School for a hands-on cooking experience in the Forest of Dean. Whether youโ€™re passionate about baking, want to perfect the art of pasta making, or are hoping to master a new cuisine, there are plenty of classes to choose from.

Offering experiences for all abilities, cooking classes include artisan cookery; baking; bread making; childrenโ€™s classes; dietary classes; fish, game and meat classes; seasonal classes; vegetarian and vegan cookery; and world food.

Ian Coley Shooting School

Ian Coley Shooting School, one of the UKโ€™s top 10 of its kind, promises an enjoyable experience for beginners and advanced shooters alike, with clay pigeon shooting and air rifle sessions.

Visitors shooting clays will be equipped with either a 12- or 20-gauge shotgun and aided by an instructor to hit a variety of targets; while those taking to the air rifle range can opt for supervised or unsupervised sessions.

Go Ape

Take your experience to new heights at Go Ape in the Forest of Dean, a hugely popular high ropes course nestled amongst ancient woodlands.

Visitors can get active tackling rope ladders, leaping off Tarzan swings, and zooming down zip wires, during their Tree Top Adventure; while little ones can enjoy the Tree Top Junior course at Beechenhurst. Meanwhile, the Forest Segway allows visitors to hop on board and explore the historic woodlands via this unique mode of transport.

Climbing and bouldering at The Warehouse 

An impressive climbing centre in Gloucester, The Warehouse boasts a variety of climbing walls, a bouldering floor and indoor caves just waiting to be explored, promising an adrenaline-fuelled experience for all ages.

The centreโ€™s climbing walls reach up to 13 metres, allowing for both gentle and more challenging climbs, while the 4,400 square foot bouldering floor features multi-faceted zones, geometric panels, complex shapes and dynamic angles, allowing for energetic low-level climbing.

Caving at Clearwell Caves

With everything from informative self-guided visits to deep level caving, Clearwell Caves offers a day out like no other.

Guided tours unveil the secret history of the caves, the bats that live inside and uncover the stories of the children that were forced to work in the caves. For thrill seekers, the deep level caving experience takes explorers 62 metres underground for an adventure in the caves.

Foraging expeditions at Tudor Farmhouse

Take a walk on the wild side during a foraging expedition at Tudor Farmhouse, which hosts enjoyable trips off the beaten track in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley areas.

The group sessions run on specific dates during the year and make for an enjoyable and insightful experience, hunting for seasonally-growing crops such as wild garlic, sorrel, edible mushrooms, and wild strawberries.

Watersports at Croft Farm Waterpark

Hit the waters at Croft Farm Waterpark near Tewkesbury, with activities such as stand-up paddle-boarding, windsurfing, canoeing and sailing promising heaps of exhilarating fun for all ages.

With longer-length courses as well as shorter experiences available, Croft Farmโ€™s lake is the ideal venue for water sports, with options for bespoke group activities, perfect for friends and colleagues looking for something a little different.

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