Crawley Go Ape reveals reopening date

The site is set to reopen from July 4, a company spokesman told the County Times.

He said: “Go Ape’s naturally social distanced forest adventures will provide a much-needed morale boost to its customers and team mates.

“Getting back into the swing of things will be a tonic for all involved with the multi award-winning high wire adventure company.”

Founded in 2002 by husband and wife team Tristram and Rebecca Mayhew, Go Ape has branched out from its first tree top course in East Anglia to over 30 locations across Britain.

Rebecca said: “We have come through a long period of Covid-19 closure with the strong support of all our landowner partners, our loyal customers and suppliers, our friends in Clydesdale bank and of course, most importantly from our own tribe of passion lead, purpose driven colleagues.”

Tristram and Rebecca say that Go Ape is ready to welcome its 1 million customers a year back to their woodland hangouts.

They added: “Our construction teams have done an amazing job of getting everything ready across the country. We’ve invested over a million pounds in new adventures this season.”

Rebecca said: “We’re lucky that we get to work in a beautiful, rejuvenating and uplifting natural environment which the government has confirmed presents the lowest transmission risk possible.”

“We have put smart new measures in place to ensure everyone stays healthy, from sneeze-screens at the cabin, to really clever, environmentally-sound, off-grid hand washing stations.”

Go Ape’s high ropes courses naturally keeps participants socially distanced. Only one person is allowed on any ladder, crossing or zip wire at a time. Up to three people from the same household can be on a platform, but not two people from different households and customers will be asked to respect the social distancing rules.

Instructional briefings will be restricted to limit numbers and karabiners, zip trolleys and Forest Segways will be cleaned between customers.

Former Army Captain, Tristram, who served as a tank commander with the Royal Dragoon Guards, and Go Ape’s founder and Chief Gorilla said :“Many people have had a really tough time through the pandemic. This is our time to lead by example and help them.

“Go Ape has always been brave, encouraging ‘I can’t to become I can’.

“We challenge everyone to face their unseen fears, fear of height, fear of failure and fear of what we can’t control.

“We know that fear is overcome by bold action. We now all face the fear and new challenge of an unseen virus.

“But we do so together. We can, and we will rise to the challenge and overcome our own fears and can help others face and overcome theirs.

“When you feel low, helping others is the best upper. Go Ape is set to rise again. We will not be beaten by the virus or by anything else.

“Our calling is to rekindle the spirit of adventure, to nurture the call of the wild, and to help everyone conquer the fears that stop us living life boldly.

“Life is sweet. The time is now. Let’s pull together and give Britain back an amazing naturally thrilling, experience. Let’s get creating hundreds of thousands of positive life changing memories.”

For more information visit www.goape.co.uk.