Looking for a fun day out near Bristol? Mendip Adventure is here to inspire you with its most popular beginner-friendly outdoor activities, and a little something for aspiring adventurers looking to develop their skills.

Who is Mendip Adventure?

Mendip Adventure is one of the UK’s largest outdoor activity providers, based in Somerset. Their flagship site in the Mendip Hills includes Mendip Activity Centre for outdoor adventures, and Mendip Basecamp, a popular family campsite and a winner in the 2025 VisitEngland Tourism awards. Operating across several locations in Somerset and beyond, including SUP Bristol in the city, Mendip Adventure is your gateway to adventure in the West Country.

Mendip Adventure: 7 Activities to Try

1. Paddleboarding and Kayaking on Bristol Harbour

Feel the gentle splash of your paddle and admire the sparkle of sunlight on the water as you take in Bristol’s historic sights from a new perspective.

  • Ages: 12+ (8+ if booked privately)
  • Why should I try paddleboarding or kayaking in Bristol? Relax, connect, and find rhythm in a unique urban environment.
  • What’s it like? Peaceful yet playful, perfect for groups and families.
  • Book Paddleboarding
  • Book Kayaking

Five people in sit-on-top kayaks on Bristol Harbour pose together for a photo with Bristol’s famous colourful terrace houses on the hill in the background. They are smiling and look relaxed, having a good time on a unique urban adventure.
Image - SUP Bristol

2. Caving: Explore Underground Wonders

Go beyond the local show caves and experience adventure caving in the Mendip Hills. The Mendips’ unique limestone formations, swallets, and underground rivers aren’t found anywhere else, and make this some of the UK’s best caving.

  • Ages: 8+ (6+ if booked privately)
  • Why should I try caving? It’s a hands-on shared adventure unlike anything else.
  • What’s it like? Supportive, immersive, and full of surprises.
  • Book Caving

A man wearing a red caving helmet and overalls places his hand on a rock as he moves through a cave in the Mendip Hills. He is smiling and looks relaxed.

3. Rock Climbing: Reach New Heights

Climb sun-warmed limestone, feel the breeze on your face, and enjoy sweeping views across the Mendip Hills at Mendip Activity Centre’s private Rock Sports quarry.

  • Ages: 8+ (6+ if booked privately)
  • Why should I try rock climbing? Recalibrate your limits and discover a world you can’t reach by walking.
  • What’s it like? Challenging, rewarding, and ideal for both beginners and thrill-seekers.
  • Book Rock Climbing

A family of two adults and four children stand in a group with their rock climbing instructor at the bottom of a rockface. They are wearing red helmets and black climbing harnesses. They are raising their arms and smiling, looking proud and exhilarated by their rock climbing activity.

4. Target Sports: Find Your Focus and Fun

Some of Mendip’s most in-demand activities include air rifles, archery and axe throwing at their purpose-built ranges, and Nerf and Gel Battles in a dedicated, immersive combat arena. Choose your target and become the hero of your own story!

  • Ages: 8+ (6+ if booked privately)
  • Why should I try target sports? Quick progression and precise results bring satisfaction and confidence.
  • What’s it like? Focused, sensory, and deeply rewarding.
  • Book Target Sports

A teenager is aiming her axe at a target during an axe-throwing target sports activity at Mendip Activity Centre. She is wearing a black shirt and has a look of concentration on her face.

5. Tobogganing: Mendip Activity Centre’s Most Popular Activity

Race toboggans down the slope, share laughs, and dress up for themed seasonal sessions at Halloween and Christmas. You can also add a party food package to exclusive bookings for a great-value celebration! 

  • Ages: 4+ (adults can join exclusive slope bookings)
  • Why should I try tobogganing? Instant high-energy fun for children and adults alike.
  • What’s it like? Playful, exhilarating, and perfect for families or birthday groups.
  • Book Tobogganing

A boy on a blue toboggan kicks his feet up, smiling and laughing as he slides down the all-weather toboggan slope at Mendip Activity Centre.

6. Skiing and Snowboarding on Somerset’s Only Dry Slope

Learn to ski right here in the West Country! Discover Somerset’s only snowsport slope, and feel the addictive rush of your first successful run in the Mendip Hills.

  • Ages: 8+ (Mini ski lessons for children ages 5-8, private lessons available)
  • Why should I try skiing or snowboarding? It’s an affordable, all-weather introduction to snow sports.
  • What’s it like? Fun, skill-building, and available year-round.
  • Book Skiing
  • Book Snowboarding

A young person rides a snowboard down Somerset’s only dry slope. Her arms are slightly raised to her sides for balance, and she is wearing a helmet, gloves and knee pads. Her hair streams out behind her in the wind as she carves down the slope.

7. Advance Adventures: One-Day Courses and Trips

Mendip Adventure offers courses and day trips for adults looking to build their skills into a lifelong hobby or train to become an outdoor instructor. Discover one-day courses, river trips, and full-time fast-track qualifications to kickstart your adventures.

  • Ages: 16+
  • Why should I try an advanced activity or course? Take your skills to the next level and gain lasting confidence for your own adventures. 
  • What’s it like? Immersive, transformative, and empowering, a Mendip Adventure is more than just a day out.
  • Booked an Advanced Course
  • Train to become an Outdoor Instructor

Advanced courses are available for a range of activities, and you can check out Mendip’s river trips across the region. 

Four women stand in a row next to kayaks and paddleboards, taking a break while on an outdoor activity course. They are talking while standing on the edge of a marine lake.

Extend Your Adventure: Family Campsite at Mendip Basecamp

Designed to make camping feel easy, award-winning Mendip Basecamp is just 30 minutes from South Bristol. Perfect for first-timers and seasoned campers, this off-grid campsite in the Mendip Hills combines simplicity and comfort. 

Aerial view of Mendip Basecamp at sunset, looking peaceful and serene. The large family campsite field is circled by woodland, with several tents and campervans dotted around.

Basecamp is an authentic family campsite featuring:

  • Pick-your-own pitches
  • Check out when it suits you
  • Fire pits encouraged
  • Over 25 outdoor activities
  • Live music and free weekend entertainment
  • Giant sand pit and loads of space to play 
  • Dogs welcome
  • Hot showers
  • Free WiFi
  • Licensed bar
  • Cafe and camp shop

Explore Mendip Adventure