Chessington Go Ape
Go Ape Chessington was a much-loved outdoor adventure attraction located within the grounds of Chessington World of Adventures Resort in Surrey. Known for its tree-top challenges, rope bridges, and exhilarating zip wires, it offered visitors a chance to experience the thrill of the great outdoors without ever leaving the resort. Opened as part of Go Ape’s wider network of high-ropes courses across the UK, the Chessington site was unique in being directly connected to a major theme park, giving families and thrill-seekers an additional layer of adventure alongside the rides and animal exhibits. The course featured both a Tree Top Adventure for younger climbers and a more demanding Tree Top Challenge designed for those seeking a bigger adrenaline rush. It was popular for school trips, family days out, and even corporate team-building events, all set among the trees near the resort’s Explorer Car Park.
However, in late 2025, Go Ape Chessington announced its permanent closure, marking the end of an era for this unique partnership between Go Ape and Merlin Entertainments. The closure, which took effect on 2 November 2025, came as part of a wider restructuring of Go Ape’s UK locations and Chessington’s own redevelopment plans. While no detailed reason was provided publicly, many speculated that the decision was linked to the resort’s upcoming expansion and investment in new themed areas. The removal of Go Ape Chessington also signalled a shift in focus for the park, which appears to be prioritising new attractions and immersive lands over third-party operated experiences. For regular visitors and local families, the news was disappointing—Go Ape had offered something refreshingly different: an active, nature-based adventure that complemented the resort’s more traditional rides and shows.
Although Go Ape Chessington has now closed its doors, the spirit of adventure it represented lives on in other Go Ape locations across the country, such as Battersea Park, Alice Holt Forest, and Swinley Forest. These sites continue to provide the high ropes, ziplines, and forest escapades that the brand is known for. Meanwhile, Chessington World of Adventures is looking ahead to the future, with plans underway for new themed areas expected to open later this decade. The departure of Go Ape leaves behind fond memories for those who climbed, swung, and zipped through the trees there—a reminder of how even the most exciting attractions must sometimes make way for new adventures.
