General FAQ's
Tobogganing: Ages 4+ (Over 12s can take part in exclusive bookings)
Skiing: Ages 5+(Under 8s must book Minis sessions)
Snowboarding: Ages 8+ (with at least size 2 feet and 1.2m tall)
Frisbee Golf & Orienteering: No age restriction. Under 6's play for free
Outdoor activity sessions are run in two different ways.
Individual spaces: Ages 8+
If you are booking individual spaces on an activity session, the minimum age for most activities is 8.
Exclusive sessions: Ages 6+
If you book the session exclusively, we can relax our age restriction to include children aged 6 or 7. At least one adult must take part and be included in the group if there is anyone taking part is under the age of 8.
As an outdoor activity centre, we go ahead whatever the weather! The only exception to this rule is lightning directly overhead, which we monitor very closely and rarely stops play for more than a few minutes.
Make sure you bring a change of clothes if it's raining, wrap up warm if it's windy, and drink plenty of fluids if it's hot. Make an adventure of it!
Yes! All of our activity sites have plenty of parking onsite; parking is free of charge.
We strongly encourage car sharing and sustainable forms of travel. Read more here.
At Mendip Activity Centre, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to challenge themselves and undertake adventurous activities.
If you think you'll need additional support during your experience with us, it’s important that you let us know prior to booking an activity. All our activities have varying degrees of physical and mental challenge to them and some require a small level of fitness. All our instructors hold first aid qualifications but are not always qualified to assess the capacity of participants who may require additional support
Venues:
Our main centre is lift-accessible. The paths leading to our onsite activities can be fairly muddy and uneven. Pushchairs/wheelchairs/mobility scooters may struggle depending on what part of the site they are trying to access.
We'd strongly recommend reading our full accessibility statement here: www.mendip.co.uk/accessibility
You will receive a confirmation email from us once your booking has been made. Sometimes this email can end up in your junk folder, so please check there first if you can't find it.
If you can't find a confirmation email, your online booking may not have been fully completed - please check whether the session you were trying to book is still available online. If it is, please try to make the booking again. If it's not, please contact us so that we can check what's happened.
Mendip Activity Centre, Mendip Lodge and Mendip Basecamp are all cashless.
We accept all major credit and debit cards.
Yes!
Mendip Activity Centre has a proud history of providing outdoor education and adventure opportunities to schools.
We believe that school residentials provide young people with unrivalled opportunities and educational experiences gained through adventure. We will help design a week that fits your group's goals, desires and aims.
For full information on our year-round residential options, please visit our residential website by clicking here.
Alternatively, you can email info@mendip.co.uk with your enquiry.
Yes! Whatever your size, scale or budget, we offer bespoke team away days.
Take a look here for more info -https://www.mendip.co.uk/corporate
Yes! Most of our activities are perfect for groups and parties.
You can choose to book the session as an exclusive group session, just for you and your friends. These make great action parties! You can also book the toboggan slope privately just for your group.
We are currently renovating our party room so do not currently offer a party package that includes food. You are more than welcome to bring your group to the Alpine Lounge or Mendip Lodge and order from the menu.
Our public opening times are kept up to date here:
https://www.mendip.co.uk/about-mendip
If in doubt, all activities can be booked in advance at mendip.me/book
We are open to private education groups, corporate groups, youth groups outside of these times.
Education enquiries here: www.mendip.co.uk/education
Corporate enquiries here: www.mendip.co.uk/corporate
Youth group enquiries here: www.mendip.co.uk/youthgroups
Tobogganing
Tobogganing is a very popular activity and, especially during peak times, we have very little flexibility in being able to push your start time back. Where possible, we will get you onto the toboggan slope as soon as possible once you arrive. We will try to be as accommodating as possible and if there is availability later in the day, we will move your session to a later start time however please be aware that this is not always possible.
Frisbee golf or recreational snowsports
We are likely to be able to change your start time at arrival as long as it is within our opening hours and on the same day.
Private session
We will start whenever you arrive but we are unlikely to be able to overrun.
Individual spaces on a session
We will do our best to fit you into the session at a point that does not disrupt it too much for other participants. If you are more than 10 minutes late, we're sorry but it is very unlikely we will be able to fit you into the session due to missing the safety and equipment briefing and kit up.
Let us know you cannot make your session, or request an amendment:
Please email hello@mendip.co.uk
Our cancellation and amendment terms can be viewed here: https://www.mendip.co.uk/termsandconditions
Yes, the Alpine Lounge is open the majority of the time we have activities scheduled!
Check out our website https://www.alpinelounge.co.uk/ for the current opening times and to view the menu.
We do no accept bookings for the cafe, it is walk in only. There is plenty of space so you will not struggle to find somewhere to sit.
Well behaved dogs are welcome to join you onsite including in our cafe, the Alpine Lounge.
However, unfortunately, they can't join you on any of our activity sessions other than frisbee golf. If you are bringing a dog with you, one of your party will have to not take part in the activity session to stay with the dog.
Email hello@mendip.co.uk or visit mendip.co.uk/support to contact us.
Directions
Mendip Activity Centre can be found at Lyncombe Drive, Churchill. The postcode is BS25 5PQ.
Click here for a Google Maps link.
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Click here to view directions to all our sites and read about public transport and sustainable travel options.
Click here for a Google maps link.
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Sandford Quarry is our private rocksport quarry which is just a 5 minute drive from our Main Activity Centre. Access is by first turning into Quarry Road in Winscombe, nearest postcode, BS25 5RN. Please do not park on Quarry Road.
Drive up Quarry Road for about 100m and then, enter the gates on your left. Follow the track into the quarry. You will see our vehicles and instructors. Please drive carefully and slowly, the track is uneven and bumpy in places.
If you are walking from Mendip Basecamp, please allow 30 minutes.
Click here to view directions to all our sites and read about public transport and sustainable travel options.
Click here for a Google maps link to the location.
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Hewish is located on Wick Road, just off the A370, near J21 of the M5. As it is a rural site, there is no exact postcode. Coming from the A370, the marked gateway is on your right, just 100 metres past the RCH Brewery. Please drive carefully and slowly on the gravel track for 400 metres until you reach the gravel car park with dark green toilet block. Your Activity Instructor will meet you there shortly before your activity start time.
Click here to view directions to all our sites and read about public transport and sustainable travel options.
Caving activity sessions take place in Burrington Combe. We will meet you at the Goatchurch Cavern carpark which is free of charge to park in. It is just off the B3134 (The Combe) road.
Click here for a Google Maps link.
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Click here to view directions to all our sites and read about public transport and sustainable travel options.
Mendip Basecamp & Mendip Lodge are located within the grounds of Mendip Activity Centre., Mendip Activity Centre, Lyncombe Drive, Churchill, BS25 5PQ.
Follow signs up the drive, keeping to the right rather than entering the main carpark on the left. After a hairpin bend, you will go under the ski slope bridge and arrive at Mendip Lodge. There is a carpark on the right.
Click here for a Mendip Lodge Google Maps link.
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To get to Mendip Basecamp, carry on along the track, following signs for Basecamp. You will enter fields and follow a bend round as the track continues up the hill and into the Basecamp camping fields. On arrival, head for the large white marquee, the Pavillion, this is the campsite check in.
Click here for Mendip Basecamp Google Maps link.
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Click here to view directions to all our sites and read about public transport and sustainable travel options.
