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How to Maximise a Trip to Go Ape Rivington (and Successfully Live Out Your Tarzan Dreams!) 

| Last Updated: September 2025

Disney’s Tarzan is one of my go-to comfort films. As a kid, I was fascinated by how effortlessly Tarzan swings from vine to vine and hangs out at the treetops. 

So imagine how chuffed I was when I discovered Go Ape! One of my mates’ kids had a birthday party at their Rivington location, and needless to say, I was the most psyched of all. 

I was able to live out my Tarzan dreams even for just a few hours, and it left me wanting to try out the different activities at other Go Ape branches. It’s adrenaline-pumping, physically challenging, and just crazy fun. 

Thinking of going there soon? Here’s our travel guide to help you make the most of your trip! 

What is Go Ape Rivington Known For? 

Go Ape Rivington is just one of Go Ape’s 37 locations in the country that offer exhilarating outdoor activities, but mostly focus on high ropes courses. For the Rivington location, it’s popular for the Treetop Challenge that’s open for adventure-seekers 10 years old and above.  

Available activities depend on the location. You can check them out in detail here. 

Best Time to Go 

Go Ape Rivington is open Wednesdays to Sundays, from 10 AM to 2 PM. If you want fewer crowds and a more peaceful time, it’s best to book your schedule on a weekday and to be there by morning. 

There are plenty of fun things to do in the area, so going early can also help you maximise your day. 

Things to Know Before Visiting Go Ape Rivington 

Booking: Go Ape uses an online booking system. You can book your slot at Go Ape Rivington through this link. For Rivington, you can only book the Treetop Challenge activity. 

Pricing: The Treetop Challenge at Go Ape Rivington costs £36.95 with an additional £3.95 booking fee. 

Managing your booking: If you wish to make changes to your booking, you can do so using your Go Ape online account. If you didn’t make an account when you first booked, you can still do so, provided that you use the same email address from your original booking.

Up to 7 days prior, you can still cancel or reschedule your booking and receive a full refund minus the booking fee. Up to two days before your activity, you can still reschedule, but you will have to pay £5 for the administration charge already.  

Parking: Go Ape Rivington offers free on-site parking. However, the parking lot can get packed, especially during peak days. So, it’s still important to plan well and go there early to ensure you get a slot. 

Pets: Dogs are welcome, as long as they’re socialised and on a leash or in a carrier. Please also make sure to clean up after them. 

Accessibility: Go Ape provides additional support for PWDs who want to try out their activities. However, it’s important to inform them well in advance of the kind of support you will be needing before your visit. 

Knowing your specific needs can help them make adjustments in staffing or in their system to accommodate you. You may email them at [email protected] 

How to Get to Go Ape Rivington 

By car: If you’re coming from Manchester, the South, Lancaster, or Preston, you can use the M61. When you get to JCT 6, watch out for the signs for Horwich. Stay on the main road at Horwich. When you see the roundabout near the Crown pub, take a right onto Lever Park Avenue. 

By train: The closest train stop to Go Ape Rivington is Blackrod Station. From there, it’s a three-mile walk to the site. 

By bus: The closest bus stop is Lever Park Avenue. It’s a mile walk to Go Ape from there. 

By bike: You can also ride and use the Lancashire Cycleway Route 91 to reach the site. 

What to Do in and near Go Ape Rivington 

Conquer the Treetop Challenge 

Media Credit: goaperivington

Website
Address: Rivington Ln
Contact: +44 1603 895500

The Treetop Challenge is the main attraction at Go Ape Rivington. It’s open to thrill-seekers ten years old and above who are at least 1.4 meters (4’7”) tall and have a maximum weight of 20.5 stone (130 kg). 

This high ropes course has five exciting loop challenges and five ziplines, and typically takes two to three hours to finish. It has the longest zipline among all the other Go Ape attractions, with a length of 198 meters. It also has the highest platform at 13 meters!  

If you’re bringing children with you, know that there should be adults to guide and supervise them, who will also participate in the activity. The recommended ratio is that one adult can supervise two children between the ages of 10 and 15. 

If you like adrenaline-pumping physical activities, this activity is for you! You’ll see amazing treetop views that will take your breath away. If you’ve ever been a curious kid who has ever wondered what it’s like to see what Tarzan sees, you’ll get a kick out of this experience. 

If you’re a bit apprehensive about it, don’t worry, because they give you a security briefing before the course. This allows you to mentally prepare for it and be equipped with information to stay safe and have a great time. 

Go hiking at Rivington Pike 

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The Rivington area is rich in scenic views and adventurous activities. If you have ample time after your Go Ape adventure, you can take a hike at Rivington Pike. Rivington Pike has a good, varied trail that offers sights and manageable terrain. 

You’ll enjoy seeing the forests, lakes, and you can even go birding! This is quite a popular trail and is about 8.9 kilometres long. It has an elevation of 353 meters and will take around 3 to 4 hours to finish. 

If you want specific information about the trail, you can check out this guide. 

Check out the historical sites at Rivington Terraced Gardens

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Website
Address: Belmont Rd

The Rivington Terraced Gardens is another beautiful attraction you can visit for free while you’re in Rivington. There’s so much to see and explore within the garden, you can spend a good few hours here. You can get your steps in while exploring historical sites in the area. 

One of these is the Italian Lake, one of the oldest parts of the gardens. It was designed by a well-known garden designer, Thomas H. Mawson. Its Italian theme was inspired by Villa d’Este in Rome.

Another must-visit site is the Pigeon Tower, which was built between 1905 and 1909. This beautiful tower was commissioned by Lever as a birthday present to his wife. The tower has four floors and a stone staircase. 

Some other stops you can explore here include the Great Lawn and the Bungalow. 

Enjoy the sights at the Lower and Upper Rivington Reservoirs 

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The Lower and Upper Rivington reservoirs, along with the Anglezarke reservoir, make up a network of reservoirs that supply water to Liverpool. At the time it was built, it was known to be the biggest and most advanced reservoir technology around. 

Aside from admiring this, you can also enjoy a good nature walk around the area. There are cycling and horse-riding trails here where you can get fresh air, admire the flora and fauna, and even spot wildlife. 

Where to Eat near Go Ape Rivington 

Village Green Tea Room Rivington

Website
Menu
Pricing: £ 
Address: Sheep House Ln
Business Hours: Daily (10 AM – 4 PM) 
Contact: +44 7783 509163

If you want a quick tea break after a day of physical activities or brekkie right before your schedule at Go Ape, the Village Green Tea Room is the place to be. 

It’s a quaint place serving pastries, scones, toast and jam, coffee, and hot chocolate. The ambience is warm and comforting. Plus, they serve a really wicked full English breakfast. 

Great House Barn

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Website
Pricing: £ £  
Address: Great House Barn, Bolton
Business Hours: Daily (10 AM – 4 PM) 
Contact: +44 1204 697738

If you want to go to a tea place but are looking for something a bit upscale for a special occasion, the Great House Barn is a good option. It’s a lovely restaurant with an outdoor seating area surrounded by different kinds of shrubbery and trees. 

They serve light lunches including sandwiches, pizza, coffee, ice cream, and amazing homemade cakes and pastries that will make you think of your nan. Some crowd favourites include their chocolate chip cookies, pizza, and breakfast sandwiches. 

The Rivington

Media Credit: The Rivington Pub & Grill 

Website
Menu
Pricing: £ £ £ 
Address: 69 Church St, Horwich
Business Hours: Daily (12 PM – 10:30 PM) 
Contact: +44 1204 696027

The Rivington serves a variety of cuisines – offering different kinds of pasta, risotto, burgers, savoury pies, kebabs, and grilled mains, among others. It’s a restaurant to go to if you want a hearty meal. They have delicious food with big portions, perfect for family lunches or dinners. 

The Goose and Gander

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Website
Menu
Pricing: £ £ £ 
Address: 38 Little Scotland, Blackrod
Business Hours: 

  • Tuesday-Sunday (12 PM – 11 PM) 
  • Closed on Mondays 

Contact: +44 1942 386700

The Goose and Gander is a country kitchen and bar that serves comfort food like beer-battered halloumi, homemade Lancashire cheese and onion pie, and grilled goat’s cheese crostini. 

They have a few vegan options as well, like the vegan nut roast and the oyster mushroom vegan burger. From Tuesdays to Thursdays, they have a set of courses as well that come with a choice of starter, main course, and dessert. 

It’s a child-friendly place, with a Little Goslings menu complete with the kid food groups: macaroni and cheese, chicken nuggets, and ice cream. 

The Cherry Tree at Blackrod

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Website
Menu
Pricing: £ £ £
Address: 227 Chorley Rd, Blackrod
Business Hours: 

  • Monday-Thursday (12 PM – 8:30 PM) 
  • Friday-Saturday (12 PM – 9:30 PM) 
  • Sunday (12 PM – 8 PM)

Contact: +44 1257 481234

The Cherry Tree specialises in classic British cooking. They use locally-sourced produce with season-specific items on their menu. 

They have different kinds of menus fit for every kind of craving: a market, lunch platter, afternoon tea, vegan, drinks and desserts, and buffet menu, aside from their à la carte menu. Just note that they require reservations. 

Where to Stay near Go Ape Rivington 

Premier Inn Chorley North Hotel 

Media Credit: premierinn

Website 
Address: Malthouse Farm, Moss Ln, Chorley
Contact: +44 333 777 4614

The Premier Inn in Chorley is a family-friendly place with clean rooms, comfy beds, and blackout curtains. For a 3-star hotel, the price is reasonable, plus it’s just a short drive away from Go Ape Rivington. It’s a good crash pad after a physically exhausting day. 

Wendover Guest House 

Media Credit: Wendover Guest House

Website 
Address: 603 Chorley New Rd, Horwich
Contact: +44 1204 468400

If you don’t want to stay in a hotel, guesthouses like Wendover Guest House is a good option as well. It’s a family-run B&B that’s simple, but clean and comfortable. 

The rooms have comfortable beds, flat-screen TVs, hospitality trays, and en-suite showers. It’s also very accessible,  not just from Go Ape Rivington, but also from the main railway stations and the airport. 

Black Dog 

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Website 
Address: 2-6 Church St, Belmont
Contact: +44 1204 811218

The Black Dog is near the reservoirs, so you can easily find nature spots to enjoy here. While it’s noted as a family-friendly place, we think it’s more suited for groups of friends since it’s a pub hotel at heart. 

It has three room types: a double room, a twin room, and a family room. Each room has comfortable beds, an en-suite shower, toiletries, a TV, tea and coffee facilities, free Wi-Fi and free parking. The rooms are also pet-friendly! 

The Ridges 

Media Credit: The Ridges Gardens Limbrick, Chorley, Lancashire PR6 9EB

Website 
Address: Weaver’s Brow, Heath Charnock
Contact: +44 1257 279981

The Ridges is another charming bed and breakfast near Rivington. They have a beautiful garden that guests can enjoy, that’s been featured in the National Gardens Scheme Yellow Book. 

They have just two double rooms with en-suite showers, one twin room, and one single room that shares a bathroom. While they’re not the fanciest place around, the price is reasonable and the facilities complete. 

They have central heating, a comfortable bed, clean towels and linens, and a free breakfast. The hosts are also warm and friendly.

Tips for Your Go Ape Rivington Visit

Now that you know about Go Ape Rivington, here are some friendly tips to fully enjoy the experience: 

  • Empty your pockets before the activity. Given how high up you will be for the activity, it’s best to pack light and empty your pockets. This is to prevent you from dropping personal items that might not be retrievable.

    Some parts of the course are built over vegetation, streams, and even ponds. 
  • Bring a lanyard and phone pouch. This is also available at Go Ape Rivington, but they run out sometimes. It’s best to just bring this to keep important items safe.

    You’re not allowed to wear a backpack because it can get in the way of your harness or cause an injury. 
  • Keep hydrated. Bring a water bottle. There are water stations at the location; you just have to bring your own water bottle. The course is physically demanding, so it’s important to drink water and to remind your friends to do so too! 
  • Fuel up with food before the activity. Since the activities can be physically demanding, it’s best to have some food and drink with you before going. Just make sure not to eat too much or to eat right before the activity to avoid getting sick. 
  • Dress appropriately. Since it’s an outdoor activity, you have to dress for the weather. Avoid wearing crop tops that bare your waist, so you’ll be comfortable with a harness. You can buy gloves there or bring your own to avoid rope burn.

    Also, wearing closed shoes is important to avoid injuries. Don’t forget your sunscreen!
  • Be there at least 15 minutes before your scheduled booking time. You will need a bit of leeway to park, use the bathroom, and get checked in before your session.

    In case of unforeseen incidents and you’re running a bit behind, you can go straight to the Go Ape cabin so the staff can check if they’re able to accommodate you, given the timing and availability. 
  • Bring a phone or camera to capture the memories. You can bring your phone to take pictures, just make sure it’s attached to you by using a pouch and a lanyard.

    If you’d like to bring a camera, you can also do so, but you’ll have to check with their staff if it’s too bulky or if it can be safely attached.
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