General FAQ's
Outdoor Activities can be booked as Individual Spaces or as Exclusive Groups, with some age limits.
Tobogganing | Ages 4-12 (For Exclusive Half Slope Group Session Age 4+ with no upper age limit) |
Skiing | Age 5+, under 8's must book Minis Private Lessons |
Minis Private Lessons | Ages 5-8 |
Try Skiing | Age 8+ |
Private Ski Lesson | |
Snowboarding | Age 8+, height min 1.2m Shoe Size min adult size 2 |
TARGETSPORTS | |
Archery | Age 8+ (For Exclusive Group Session Age 6+ when Adult 18+ participating) |
Axe Throwing | |
Air Rifles | |
Archery Active | Age 6+ with under 8's supervised by participating Adult 18+ |
Frisbee Golf | Any age, under Age 6 play for free |
LAND & ROCKSPORTS | |
Abseiling (20m/65ft) | Age 8+ |
Abseiling (50m/150ft) | Age 10+ |
Bushcraft & Survival Skills | Age 8+ (For Exclusive Group Session Age 6+ when Adult 18+ participating) |
Caving & Try Caving | |
Low Ropes | |
Rock Climbing | |
Climbing Tower | Age 6+ with under 8's supervised by participating Adult 18+ |
Frisbee Golf | Any age, under 6's play for free |
Orienteering | Age 6+, under Age 6 participate for free. Under 16's must be accompanied by Adult 18+ |
WATERSPORTS | |
Assault Course | Age 8+ (For Exclusive Group Session Age 6+ when Adult 18+ participating) |
Kayaking | |
Paddle Boarding | |
Raft Building | |
Try Canoe |
Come rain or shine our outdoor activities generally go ahead whatever the weather. The only exception is lightning directly overhead which we monitor very closely and this rarely stops play for more than a few minutes.
Before you come, we recommend you check the forecast, wear suitable clothing and bring cold or warm refreshments.
Mendip Activity Centre has different activity sites.
Our main site is located at Lyncombe Drive, Churchill, BS25 5PQ. Click here for a google maps link. This is where Snowsports, Frisbee Golf, Tobogganing, Targetsports, Bushcraft and Try Caving take place.
When booking, the website will display where your activity takes place. Your confirmation email will also show this.
- Kayaking, Canoeing, Paddle Boarding, Assault Course and Raft building normally takes place at Hewish.
- Climbing and Abseiling normally takes place at Sandford Quarry.
- Caving (3-hour sessions) normally take place at Burrington Combe.
Yes! we have plenty of free onsite parking at all our activity sites.
We strongly encourage car sharing and sustainable forms of travel. Read more here.
Yes!
It's easy to book a private activity for your group online. Simply book an exclusive activity session for your group. Our most popular party activities are tobogganing, archery, air rifle, axe throwing, try caving, bushcraft and rock climbing- but you can choose from our wide-range of activities.
If you'd like to add food, our popular party food packages are perfect for children ages 4- 12. These should be ordered in advance. You'll have a table reserved for 50 minutes in the Alpine Lounge and each child will receive half a 12-inch margarita pizza, a portion of skin-on fries and unlimited squash.
Or, you can head up to the recently refurbished Alpine Lounge cafe and order directly from our menu- food includes Pizzas, Paninis and Fries - perfect for post-activity fuel! If you're choosing this option, there is no need to reserve a table.
To find out more about our active and adventurous Stag & Hen Parties click here
Mendip Activity Centre is open year-round.
All our public outdoor activities can be viewed and booked in advance online. Limited availability is sometimes available on the day.
APRIL TO OCTOBER term time | NOVEMBER TO MARCH term time | WEEKENDS & SCHOOL HOLIDAYS | |
Monday | Closed | 10am-10pm | 9am-8pm |
Tuesday | Closed | 2pm-10pm | 9am-8pm |
Wednesday | 2pm-8pm | 2pm-10pm | 9am-8pm |
Thursday | 2pm-8pm | 2pm-10pm | 9am-8pm |
Friday | 2pm-8pm | 10am-10pm | 9am-8pm |
Saturday | 9am-6pm | 9am-6pm | 9am-6pm |
Sunday | 9am-6pm | 9am-6pm | 9am-6pm |
The Alpine Lounge cafe is open every day from 9 am until close.
We are also open year-round to private group bookings in the following areas:
Outdoor Education - activities that educate and inspire children outside the classroom
Outdoor Instructor Training - gain real qualifications as an outdoor activity instructor
Youth Groups - perfect adventures for Scouting, Guiding and Cadet organisations, Youth Groups and Sports Teams
Corporate - activities helping teams and employees learn and develop together
We believe everyone should have the opportunity to challenge themselves and undertake adventurous activities.
If you think you'll need additional support visiting our facilities or participating in any of our activities contact our friendly team, especially prior to booking an activity.
Our main activity centre building is lift-accessible. There is an accessible toilet on the first floor next to the cafe. There are disabled parking spaces at this site. Archery and Air Rifle is wheel-chair accessible and the tobogganing slope as a wheel-chair accessible viewing ramp.
Read more about accessibility in our range of activities and venues here: www.mendip.co.uk/accessibility
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.
If you cannot make your session, or to request an amendment:
Please contact our friendly team by email or online chat for help.
To cancel, rearrange or amend your booking please let us know by emailing hello@mendip.co.uk as soon as possible.
To view our Terms & Conditions click here
Yes, our main activity centre site has an alpine-style cafe, The Alpine Lounge, which overlooks our ski and snowboard slope.
The Alpine Lounge cafe is open every day from 9 am until close. Visit our website to view the menu and find out more.
Other than our party food packages for ages 4 to 12, we do not 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.
Unfortunately, they can't join you during any of our activity sessions other than frisbee golf and orienteering. If you are bringing a dog with you one of your party must stay with the dog and supervise it.
Yes! Mendip Activity Centre has a proud history of providing outdoor education and adventure opportunities to schools.
Our year-round school residentials provide young people with unrivalled opportunities and educational experiences gained through adventure. We work closely with schools to design a residential visit that fits the groups goals, desires and aims.
For more information or to make an enquiry, visit our SCHOOL RESIDENTIALS website
Yes! Our popular Team Activity Days do wonders for morale and motivation. helping teams and employees learn and develop together. This can contribute to the growth and success of teams, employees and businesses as a whole. We work closely with you to design a team activity day that fits your goals, desires and aims.
For more information or to make an enquiry visit our TEAM ACTVITY DAYS website
After you book an activity online we immediately email you a Booking Confirmation. If you are unable to locate this in your inbox, first check your spam/junk email folders. If you still cannot locate, it's possible your online booking may not have been fully completed.
Check whether the session you were trying to book is still available online. If it is, try to make the booking again. If it's not, please contact our friendly team by email or online chat for help.
For more information or to enquire, visit our YOUTH GROUPS website.
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.