We’re always looking for new fun things that the girls can do and if Andy and I can join in too, then even better. We were recently invited to visit Calshot Activities Centre to try out a couple of activities that they have available. When I looked at their website the photos looked familiar and when I arrived there I instantly remembered that I had been on a trip here when I was at school. I remember very clearly the ski slope and having my first skiing experience as a child.
When we arrived we headed to The Hangar reception and were warmly welcomed by a man there, who took all our details and explained what would happen. Alice was starting of the activities with a go on Take Off, which is a wall climbing experience for children aged 6 plus. Which meant that Holly wasn’t able to join in. But she went off to the cafe with daddy, which she was more than happy to do.
Alice was put in a harness and Matt the instructor explained the rules and then it was time to get on the wall. There were six different walls to experience and included two speed walls, which Alice loved.
Alice started on the easier speed climb and when you start you hit the green button to start the timer, and when you get to the top you press the red button to stop the timer. It didn’t take Alice long to get to the top.
Alice clearly has a head for heights and she loved it. She then moved onto the next speed wall, which was a little bit tricker.
Matt the instructor was brilliant, he was really encouraging and gave Alice advice on how to tackle each wall.
Wall three was getting harder, and it was very narrow. But that didn’t stop Alice!
The next wall Alice tried was a little different. She had hand stakes that she had to insert into the holder to pull herself up. Matt told her this one isn’t about speed, it’s about taking your time and thinking ahead of where to put your hands. Alice enjoyed the challenge of this one.
Alice’s favourite wall was the tetris wall and whilst it might look easier, there was elements to make it tricker. Like you can only step on red blocks!
Alice loved coming down, just as much as going up!
Alice had a 45 minute session and was getting tired arms by the end of it. She had a great time and can’t wait to do it again.
It was then time for the whole family to do an activity. We had booked on to do the Ringos which is available for all ages. Small children have to be accompanied by an adult, but both our girls were able to go on their own.
We all grabbed a ringo from the bottom and made our way up the side of the slope to the top. The instructor gave us a safety briefing and then it was time for the fun to start. And I have to say, it was great fun!
Alice absolutely loved it. She was able to pull her ringo up the slope herself, and she just kept going up and down. The instructor even commented to her how speedy she was getting up the slope!
Holly loved it too and Andy or I would go down with her. She needed us to pull the Ringo up for her and she then sat inside the ringo with her legs crossed and she held onto her Ringo as we went down. Look at her little face!
Andy and the girls even managed a three in a row!
We had a 30 minute slot and by the end we were all starting to get tired. It was just the right amount of time.
There was also a lovely cafe, which you looked out to sea and we all enjoyed a much needed drink afterwards.
We had a great time at the Hangar@Calshot and there were so many different activities that you could try. The Ringos were £7 per person and Take Off was £9 per person. You can find all the activities here.
Next to the Hangar is Calshot Castle, which is definitely worth a look around while you’re there. It is part of the English Heritage group.
The girls loved climbing to the top and looking out to see the Isle of Wight.
It was a lovely end to our trip to Calshot and Alice is now hoping that her school will do a school trip there just like I did.
Disclosure: We were kindly invited to visit Calshot Activities Centre in return for an honest review. All views, opinions and photos are my own.
