Isle of Wight Oak Tree Climbing Experience
Climb 50ft Up a Magnificent Oak Tree on This Unique Two Hour Outdoor Experience on the Isle of Wight
IOW
people
1 participant
hours
- • Isle of Wight’s Only Tree Climbing Experience
- • Fun Outdoor Activity For The Whole Family
- • Qualified Guides Mean Kids Can Go Solo
Why We Love This Unique Experience
Isle of Wight Experience Gifts: It’s often a struggle to find exciting family activities that delight all ages, won’t break the bank, and will drag the kids away from their smartphones for a few hours. The Isle of Wight Tree Climbing Experience ticks all these boxes, combining healthy outdoor activity with big fun – 50 feet of fun to be exact! Qualified instructors are on hand to keep everyone safe, so you can sit back and watch or join in the climb if you’re feeling brave – the eldest participant to take part is currently 80, so this oak tree climbing activity really is for everyone. Treat the kids to an exciting experience gift and enjoy the great outdoors!
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Experience Overview:
Isle Of Wight Oak Tree Climbing ExperienceEverything’s made easy for you – you don’t need to bring along anything but yourself to have a great tree climbing experience.
The tree is set up by us in advance and after an introduction and (short but necessary) health and safety session we demonstrate our tree climbing technique.
We make sure you’ve learnt the ropes (ahem!) close to the ground before you head up the rope into the canopy.
Once in the tree top, you can enjoy a birds-eye view of Appley Park and across the Solent to the Mainland. We have a couple of tree top hammocks and if you’re brave enough there’s time for branch walking and swinging around at 40 feet in the air!
You don’t need to be super strong to climb trees with Goodleaf, however using our special system and technique you will be climbing the rope and tree independently. Popeye muscles aren’t needed either, just a sense of fun and adventure.
Tree climbing with Goodleaf is about having as much tree fun as you can in a safe and friendly environment. We provide everything you need; all the equipment, instruction, supervision, insurance – we even provide a hot cuppa and our delicious climbers flapjack for you to enjoy after you’ve descended from 50ft up in the canopy.
FAQ
Activity FAQs
Tree climbing with Goodleaf – is it a high ropes course?
Tree climbing with Goodleaf is a unique activity – you’re unlikely to have ever done anything like it before. We climb in one tree, in small groups – it’s different and a more personal experience than a high ropes course, and of course, it’s loads of fun!
Why do tree climbers have to be age 8 and over?
We’ve been running Goodleaf since 2005. We’ve found that when children are over 8 it’s much easier for them to pick up our technique and they get more from the experience.
What do I need to wear?
We advise you wear long sleeves and long trousers to protect your arms and legs; the bark on an oak is very scratchy. You also need to wear shoes that aren’t going to fall off when you climb.
Where is Goodleaf?
We’re located in a magnificent oak tree in Appley Park, Ryde. We don’t have a ‘centre’, just a lovely tree. Please remember, do not rely on your SatNav to get to us – you’ll need a good old-fashioned map!
Is it safe?
In a nutshell – yes! Recreational tree climbing has an unblemished world wide safety record. All our equipment is CE marked and regularly monitored by an independent assessor. Our staff are trained and supervised by Paul who has completed just about every bit of tree climbing training you could possibly do; here and in the US (the home of recreational tree climbing).
Do I need to be really strong to climb with Goodleaf?
You don’t need muscles like Popeye to climb trees with us. The technique we teach allows you to use your leg muscles to climb up the rope into the canopy. A ‘can do’ attitude helps!
How tall is the tree?
It’s about 21 metres high – you can climb to about 15 metres. That’s about 3 giraffes standing on top of each other.
I’m worried I might be too heavy for tree climbing.
You can do it! You do need to get yourself up the rope but we have made it as easy as possible for you. We have taken lots of larger people tree climbing and they have all got something from the experience – it’s not always about reaching the top, it’s about challenging yourself and giving it a go.
Do you have a café or somewhere non tree climbers can watch?
Yes, our tree is in the delightful Appley Park, Ryde, Isle of Wight. There’s a big grassy area around the tree, plus a fair number of cafes within easy walking distance. Plus a lovely sandy beach…and ice creams…and swimming…and play parks…perfect!
Is there a loo?
Yes there are public loos within a 5 minute walk.
What happens if I get really frightened when I’m at the top of the tree?
Don’t panic! You can usually make your own way down with some help and encouragement from us. We can also come and rescue you if needed.
Can I bring my dog?
Well behaved dogs on leads are very welcome as long all our climbers are happy to have them around.
Details & Important Info
Additional Experience Details & Important Information
Arrival time: 5 to 10 minutes before the start of your climb.
Clothing: we always suggest long sleeves and long trousers to protect you from the scratchy bark on our oak tree. In spring and autumn layers are a great idea. If it's very hot a t-shirt and longer shorts are fine. If you wear very short shorts, you may find the harness uncomfortable.
Footwear: trainers or similar shoes that won’t fall off when you’re climbing. That means no Crocs, flip flops or open toe sandals.
Children: climbers aged under 18 must bring an adult to stay with them when they climb.
Camera: At the moment photos can only be taken from outside of the bunting.
Litter: please help keep our little bit of the Isle of Wight pristine and take all your litter away with you or put it one of the many bins provided in the park.
Dogs: well behaved dogs are welcome as long as all our climbers are comfortable having dogs around. Dogs must be on a lead at all times for their own safety and the safety of our tree climbers.
Drinks: We are unable to provide drinks this year, but please do bring your own.
- Bring sunscreen. But, as we’re in England you might need your waterproofs too.
Cancellations & Refunds
Reservation Changes, Cancellations & Refunds
All ticket sales are final and not refundable. Reservations cannot be changed, rescheduled or refunded once confirmed. Reservations may be re-scheduled by the operator of the activity due to reasons such as weather, minimum participation requirements, mechanical issues or other interruptions beyond their control.
All gift certificate sales are final and not refundable. Gift certificates can only be exchanged prior to redemption.
A full list of terms of sale of tickets and certificates can be viewed here.
Organized by
Goodleaf Tree Climbing
The UK’s original recreational tree climbing company
Come tree climbing with us and create memories in historic Appley Park, Ryde. Just a short 20 minute stroll from the ferry, hovercraft and bus station, our beautiful mature oak tree sits in the centre of this stunning park, with panoramic views over the Solent and beyond.
Our experienced and enthusiastic Goodleaf staff will show you the ropes so that you can safely scale the heights of the 70 foot oak tree. Once you’re in the canopy, you can enjoy beautiful sea views, relax in our special tree top hammocks or challenge yourself to climb as much as you want to.
When you’re back on the ground, relax on the picnic blanket, enjoy a cup of tea and our home made Tree Climber’s Flapjack. If that’s not enough to tide you over, bring a picnic to enjoy in the green surroundings of the park or eat out at one of the local foodie destinations nearby.
We’ve had a wonderful time guiding thousands of people into the canopy since 2005 – we look forward to welcoming you to the Goodleaf experience!
As seen in The Guardian, Vogue, The Telegraph and on the BBC.
About Goodleaf Tree Climbing
Hello there and welcome to Goodleaf Tree Climbing!
Award winners
Goodleaf is an award winning family run recreational tree climbing business owned and operated by Paul and Abi McCathie. We’re absolutely not a high ropes course – all our tree climbing takes place in one magnificent oak tree.
We’ve welcomed thousands of tree climbers over the years and we hope to welcome many more.
We’re tree huggers
Paul’s love of trees and tree climbing led him to start Goodleaf back in 2005. We’re the UK’s recreational tree climbing pioneers as well as being the only dedicated recreational tree climbing provider in the UK.
We’re a seasonal business, operating from Easter to the end of October half term. In the winter we like to travel and you can often find Paul climbing trees in spectacular native New Zealand forests.
A fun and friendly experience
From the moment you book with us, until you make your descent from the tree top, we want you to have a friendly, relaxed and enjoyable time. The beauty of tree climbing with Goodleaf is that the technique we teach and the equipment we use are suitable for all abilities. We welcome climbers aged 8 and over – read more about our age policy here.
We tailor our experience to meet your aspirations – whether it’s getting to the top of the tree or relaxing in the tree top hammock. And there’s always a drink and piece of climbers flapjack waiting for you in the picnic basket so you can celebrate your climb!
Our main two-hour climbing experience takes place at Appley Park, near Ryde on the east coast of the Isle of Wight. Our 70ft oak tree is a magnificent specimen with some spectacular views across the Solent towards Portsmouth from the top.
Our staff
All our tree climbing instructors are local residents. They’re also experienced teachers and instructors. They’re trained by our Lead Tree Climbing Instructor Paul McCathie, who has been a professional tree climber since 2000. Paul is originally from New Zealand but he’s lived on the Isle of Wight since 2003 so he’s nearly a local! Our instructors are awarded ‘Recreational Tree Climbing Facilitator’ certificates from Lantra and Goodleaf. We also offer a popular three day course tree climbing course.
Abi does the office stuff, runs our website, writes the blog and makes the flapjack. And tries to spend as much time on Appley Beach with our junior tree climber as she possibly can!
Goodleaf
Goodleaf isn’t just about climbing trees; it’s about a lovely experience and doing something together that you would never normally have the opportunity to do. It’s about relaxing in and understanding more about trees. And it’s about enjoying the great outdoors in a unique way.
We look forward to meeting you under the canopy.
Paul and Abi
Product SKU: UK-0029-0001
Google Business Profile: Goodleaf Tree Climbing
IoW Oak Tree Climbing Experience
IOW
people
1 participant
hours
- • Isle of Wight’s Only Tree Climbing Experience
- • Fun Outdoor Activity For The Whole Family
- • Qualified Guides Mean Kids Can Go Solo
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