REVIEW · LONDON
Gripped London: Zip Line, High Ropes & Freefall Adventure
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Hobbledown Heath · Bookable on GetYourGuide
One day at Gripped feels like getting off the grid. You trade London streets for open heathland and three instructor-led aerial challenges, from treetop balance to dual zip lines and a controlled free-fall on the Power Fan Descender. I love that the experience is built as a High Ropes + Zip Trak + Freefall trio, so you get variety without bouncing between multiple activities. I also like that you get required equipment and clear safety briefings before you launch. The main thing to consider is weather: it’s an outdoor site with limited cover if it rains, and some elements can close for safety.
You’ll start with a proper check-in and briefing, then move through three adrenaline fuelled stages with gear on and staff watching you. For most people, that mix of instruction and big physical thrills is exactly why this works as a break from sightseeing. If you’re planning this with kids or teens, pay close attention to the age and height rules so the day stays smooth.
In This Review
- Key Things I’d Focus On Before You Go
- Gripped London in One Look: Big Adventure Near the City
- Price and Value: What You Really Get for $66
- Check-In at Hobbledown Heath: Arrive Ready to Move
- Safety Briefing and the Video: Why It Matters Here
- High Ropes Course: Balance, Swings, and Treetop Height
- Zip Trak Dual Ziplines: Race Side-by-Side Through the Air
- Power Fan Descender: A Controlled Free-Fall Moment
- Included Gear and What You Still Need to Bring
- Who Can Do Gripped London (And Who Should Skip It)
- Weather Reality: Limited Cover and Possible Closures
- Meeting the Park with the Right Expectations
- Should You Book Gripped London?
- FAQ
- What is included in the Gripped Big 3 Pass?
- Where do I check in for Gripped London?
- What age and adult supervision rules apply for under-15 participants?
- What are the height and weight limits?
- What should I bring and wear?
- Are food and drinks included?
- Are gloves included?
- Do I need to complete a waiver or watch a video before arriving?
- What happens if it rains?
Key Things I’d Focus On Before You Go

- The Big 3 Pass packs three activities into one visit: High Ropes, Zip Trak (dual ziplines), and the Power Fan Descender.
- Safety is handled upfront: safety briefings plus a required safety briefing video before you arrive.
- The zipline setup is side-by-side: you race in parallel on dual lines, not just one person at a time.
- The free-fall is controlled: the Power Fan Descender is designed for a staged, safe drop rather than a wild jump.
- Age rules are specific for under-15 participants: one ticket-holding adult can accompany up to 4 under-15s on Zip Trek and High Ropes.
- It’s weather-dependent: limited cover and possible closures mean your session could be altered on rainy or unsafe conditions.
Gripped London in One Look: Big Adventure Near the City

Gripped London is run from Hobbledown Heath on open heathland in South East England, and it’s designed as a full-action day rather than a quick stop. Think of it as a mini theme-park for the outdoors: harnesses, lines, platforms, and staff-led movement through three main activities.
For you, the value is that it’s not just one thrill. You get balance and reach in the trees (High Ropes), speed in the air (Zip Trak dual ziplines), and a nerve-check moment (Power Fan Descender). For many people, that combo is the difference between a fun “try it once” outing and an actually memorable day.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in London.
Price and Value: What You Really Get for $66

The listed price is $66 per person for a 1-day visit, and the key is what’s included in that number. Your Gripped Big 3 Pass covers three adrenaline fuelled activities plus safety briefings and the required equipment. That matters because with adventure parks, the cost can otherwise creep up fast once you add gear rentals and the fact that you might need more than one attraction.
What’s not included is also worth noting, so you can budget realistically:
- Food and drinks (available to purchase)
- Parking (£1 per hour)
- Gloves (available to purchase)
- Hobbledown Heath entry ticket
- Any extra Gripped activities like Speed slides, Net Park, or Bag Jumps
So if you’re only planning to do the Big 3, this pass is built for you. If you want a longer day with extra add-ons, you should expect the total to rise.
Check-In at Hobbledown Heath: Arrive Ready to Move

You’ll present your voucher at the Admissions Booth at the Gripped entrance. You also need to arrive 15 minutes before your session start time, so build in a buffer for queues and getting kitted out.
The practical reason to show up early is simple: you’re about to do physical stuff. You’ll need time for setup, a waiver, and getting into the right clothing and shoe conditions before any climbing or airborne activities begin.
Safety Briefing and the Video: Why It Matters Here

Before you hit the course, you’ll get safety briefings and required equipment. There’s also a safety briefing video you must watch prior to your visit, which is a good sign. It means you’re not just learning on the fly once you’re wearing a harness and standing in a high-exposure zone.
Gripped is an outdoor adventure site with limited cover if it rains. That makes safety rules even more important because slick ground, low visibility, or wind can change what’s safe to run. The park may close some elements during certain weather conditions, so flexibility is part of the experience.
High Ropes Course: Balance, Swings, and Treetop Height

One of the main attractions is the treetop High Ropes course. This is where you earn your view of the day: you’re balancing, climbing, and moving through the aerial structure rather than flying straight across a line.
What I like about a high ropes course as the first major challenge is that it teaches you how to use the harness and your body position. You’re not rushing into speed yet. You’re learning the feel of movement in a controlled way—then you can bring that confidence into the zipline runs.
Potential drawback: it’s physically demanding. You’ll need comfortable clothes, closed-toe shoes, and the stamina to climb and stay steady. If you’re not comfortable with heights, take your time and listen closely to instructors.
Zip Trak Dual Ziplines: Race Side-by-Side Through the Air

The Zip Trak portion is designed for motion and fun. You’ll take on dual ziplines, which means you can race another participant side-by-side rather than just going solo down the line.
This part is usually the heart of the day for people who want speed without the complexity of climbing. Once you’re launched, it’s pretty direct: line, glide, and repeat. The dual setup also adds a social energy, especially if you’re coming with friends or family and you want a shared moment.
Tip for your comfort: wear clothes that let you move freely and shoes you can trust on the platform area. The actual zipline experience is the thrill, but your footing and grip habits before takeoff are what keep it stress-free.
Power Fan Descender: A Controlled Free-Fall Moment
The Power Fan Descender is Gripped’s controlled free-fall experience. Instead of an uncontrolled jump, this is built as a staged drop that uses the descender system to manage your descent.
I find these systems psychologically easier than the word free-fall suggests—because you know it’s engineered for safety and control. Your job is to follow instructions and commit once you’re at the point of no return.
One consideration: this is the part that asks the most from your nerve. Even if you’re athletic, the sensation of dropping can be intense. If you’re bringing kids, this is also the part where you’ll want to gauge confidence carefully before you go.
Included Gear and What You Still Need to Bring
You get required equipment, which helps keep the day simpler and more affordable than if you had to rent everything separately. Still, you should show up prepared with the basics:
Bring:
- Comfortable shoes
- Comfortable clothes
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Hair tie
- Closed-toe shoes
Not allowed:
- Jewelry
- Open-toed shoes
Why these rules matter: loose items can snag, and open-toe shoes don’t work well when you’re climbing or moving around platforms. Also, remove jewelry so there’s no risk of damage or interference with safety gear.
If you need gloves, they’re available to purchase on-site. That’s a helpful option if your hands get cold or you want extra grip for harness handling.
Who Can Do Gripped London (And Who Should Skip It)

This is where you should check the fine print early so your day doesn’t get derailed.
Gripped has these participation limits:
- Guests must be over 1.4m
- Weight limit is under 120kg (264 lbs)
- Under age 15: a ticket-holding adult must participate with them on Zip Trek and High Ropes
- One adult can accompany up to 4 under-15s
And it’s not suitable for:
- Pregnant women
- People with mobility impairments
- People over 264 lbs (120 kg)
- People under 4 ft 6 in (140 cm)
Before you book, I’d treat these as hard constraints, not recommendations. Adventure parks need rules for a reason, and your best move is to match the experience to your group’s physical comfort level.
Weather Reality: Limited Cover and Possible Closures
Gripped is outdoors, and it has limited cover if it rains. For you, that means you should pack for the possibility of wet or changing conditions.
You should also expect that some elements of the park may close during certain weather conditions for safety reasons. This doesn’t mean you’ll automatically lose the day, but it does mean you should plan this as an experience with weather built into the equation.
The simplest strategy: check conditions before you go, dress for damp or wind if needed, and come ready to adapt.
Meeting the Park with the Right Expectations
This is not a guided walk with a few photo stops. It’s an action park where you move through aerial activities with equipment and instructors. That makes it ideal when you want fresh air and something active that breaks the routine of city travel.
It also suits group travel well. If you’re planning a family outing, a friend day, or a group activity, the structure makes it easy to get everyone participating in the core attractions. Just remember the under-15 adult rule for Zip Trek and High Ropes so you don’t end up with someone unable to join.
Should You Book Gripped London?
Book Gripped London if you want a full day that swaps sightseeing for hands-on challenges: High Ropes, dual ziplines on Zip Trak, and the Power Fan Descender free-fall. It’s also a strong pick if you like the idea of learning a safety system first, then getting serious about the fun.
Skip it (or reconsider) if weather is a major risk for your schedule, if anyone in your group falls outside the height/weight rules, or if you’re dealing with mobility limitations or pregnancy. And if heights and falling sensations make you anxious, be honest with yourself about which elements will feel manageable.
If you do go, arrive 15 minutes early, watch the safety briefing video ahead of time, wear closed-toe shoes, and leave jewelry at home. Do that, and you’ll spend your energy on the part you actually came for: moving through the treetops, racing down the dual lines, and riding a controlled drop that makes you grin after it’s over.
FAQ
What is included in the Gripped Big 3 Pass?
The Gripped Big 3 Pass includes three adrenaline fuelled activities: High Ropes, Zip Trak, and the Power Fan Decender, along with safety briefings and required equipment.
Where do I check in for Gripped London?
Present your voucher at the Admissions Booth at the Gripped entrance.
What age and adult supervision rules apply for under-15 participants?
Guests under age 15 require a ticket-holding adult to participate with them on the Zip Trek and High Ropes. One adult can accompany up to 4 under-15s.
What are the height and weight limits?
All participants must be over 1.4m and under 120kg.
What should I bring and wear?
Bring comfortable shoes, comfortable clothes, weather-appropriate clothing, and a hair tie. You must wear closed-toe shoes.
Are food and drinks included?
No. Food and drinks are available to purchase.
Are gloves included?
Gloves are available to purchase, but they are not listed as included.
Do I need to complete a waiver or watch a video before arriving?
Yes. A waiver must be completed before your visit, and you must watch the safety briefing video prior to your visit.
What happens if it rains?
Gripped is outdoors with limited cover if it rains. For safety reasons, some elements of the park may close during certain weather conditions.



















