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What is the minimum group size?

We operate in two parts,

Weekends: smaller groups as few as 2 can attend weekend sessions with select activities operating every weekend at fixed times. These can be booked instantly online here subject to availability.

For weekdays, we require a minimum groups size, and recommend emailing us to discuss your requirements so we can shape a day to suit you.

All of our activities have per head guide pricing outlined ideal maximum or minimum numbers required for the activity to operate. 

As a rough rule of thumb, a group of 8-10 would be our recommended minimum group size.

Is there a maximum
group size?

For some activities there is a maximum number of people we can accommodate on a daily basis – based on time it takes to enjoy the experience and the size of our facility and staffing ratios on site. The beauty of our site and activity mix is that we can split your group into min sub-groups and rotate folk around the different activities, so everyone gets to do the same things and this therefore increases our ability to deal with bigger groups, whilst maintaining smaller groups in individuals activities. As a rough rule, we say that 200 is our upper limit for a group size.

How much does it cost?

Each activity has a guide price against it, as some require more set-up and staffing than others, group packages are priced on a bespoke basis, depending on combination of activities and number of participants.  Please see out full Summary of Facilities for some indicative prices and an overview of the packages available.

How old do participants need to be?

Many of our activities are adult and child-friendly. With most activities being suitable for ages 10+ and several being suitable from ages 6+.

Where young children attend, we ask that this is always with parental/ guardian supervision on site, however our team is always alongside to accompany and guide participants through each activity.

Are kids and families welcome?

Absolutely. All activities are geared towards families and multi-age groups, it's always great to see parents and kids shooting it out in a laser battle, or helping each other over our epic obstacles.

Where are you 
located?

Located on a working forest on the Burghley Estate, England’s finest Elizabethan Stately Home, Forest Facility is less than 5 minutes drive from the A1 dual carriageway, just outside the stunning Georgian stone market-town of Stamford. Stamford and surrounding area contain some wonderful accommodation options, some of whom we partner with – see Local Partners.

We are located 20 minutes north of Peterborough, 1.5hr north of London, 1 hour from Nottingham and easily accessible via the A1 from the Midlands and The North.

Our site benefits from dedicated parking on site, plus a dwell area with changing rooms, showers and washroom facilities. We also maintain close ties with the Burghley Estate and other wonderful local suppliers, opening up many other opportunities to make your trip to Forest Facility extra-special.

Are you insured? Do attendees need any insurance?

We carry full public liabillity, products and employers’ liability insurance for our on-site activities. You will be asked to sign an ‘acceptance of risk/waiver document’ upon arrival on site as is standard with activities of this nature, however there is no specified insurance requirement for yourselves in order to take part in activities and personal insurance is a personal choice for individuals or organisations.

How physical are your activities and how fit do I need to be to take part?

We have designed Forest Facility to appeal and cater to all fitness and physical activity levels. We have some attractions, for example our assault course, where a base level of fitness is recommended although everything is optional, and it's not a race, so take your time and enjoy it. However many of our attractions require far less physical exertion than others. This is an outdoor location in a wooded environment so that should always be considered. But we have a mix of activities designed to cater to groups of varying abilities and varying appetite for physical activity. Talk to us and we can advise on recommended choices for your group. And check out the activity listings, which give some topline info on physical fitness level required.

Do I need any special skills for any of the activities?

No. Any site-specific briefings or training will be given on-site by our pro team and you will be the very best of hands.

Who is behind Forest Facility and what is your track record?

Forest Facility is an initiative of Rat Race Adventure Sports, the UK’s largest provider of adventure events, which has been trading since 2004. It is fully managed by Darren Grigas – an experienced local events and adventure professional. Rat Race retains health and safety specialists qualified to degree-level in the subject, maintains excellence in risk assessment, medical operations and activity design and staffing. All of our site infrastructure is inspected on a formal and regular basis, including specialist inspections of our high-ropes facilities on an annual basis.

Is it safe?

Yes. Forest Facility retains health and safety specialists qualified to degree-level in the subject, maintains excellence in risk assessment, medical operations and activity design and staffing. All of our site infrastructure is inspected on a formal and regular basis, including specialist inspections of our high-ropes facilities on an annual basis. Our staff are fully trained in the operation of all on-site activities and we adhere to strict staffing ratios for our activities. The site manager is first-aid qualified for outdoor environments. We retain several full first aid kits on site. For larger groups, we will contract extra specialist medical staff to work alongside us as part of our staffing ratios.

Are there places to stay nearby?

There are many lovely hotels and holiday homes in and around Stamford, we've listed a few of our favourites here:

A little luxury treat in the heart of Stamford just five minutes away:

In nearby Easton-on-the-Hill

Climbing assault course obstacles

Sustainability and Environmental Impact

Forest Facility is the creation of Rat Race Adventure Sports, the UK’s largest provider of adventure events since 2004. Forest Facility was born out of the legacy of Rat Race Dirty Weekend – the world’s largest assault course - that took place from 2012 – 2022. Following the final year of the running of this event in 2022, it was decided that instead of knocking down and disposing of all of the materials which went into creating the obstacles built in this tranquil forest over the previous 10 year period, that we should embark on the ultimate upcycling project. That has been realised and has become Forest Facility.

We pride ourselves with the local relationships formed, which allow us to source local, work local and resource our carbon footprint in this serene forest setting.

We have re-used several different types of material. This is not an exhaustive list but is representative of our approach with Forest Facility:

 

  • Continued use of wooden structures currently erected in the forest. Those structures themselves are largely constructed of reclaimed materials, including high numbers of retired and retrieved telegraph poles plus locally-felled forest timbers.

  • We also use local providers for food, drink, encourage use of independent and Estate-owned accommodation and catering providers and we have invested and trained up several local staff members to become our safety team.

  • Use of recycled telegraph poles in our main dwell area and the use of timber and sheet wood recycled from other obstacles retired from the Dirty Weekend assault course

  • Re-purposing of 4 used shipping containers to provide our changing rooms, office and storage areas

  • Installation of compost toilets

  • The Forest Facility basecamp area is located in a felled area of woodland which is being replanted around us. All of our obstacles weather naturally within the green  tapestry of this glorious forest environment.

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