Much to the excitement of my adrenaline-loving son we were invited to try the new High Ropes course at Rock Up in the Watford shopping centre, the Atria.  It is the UK’s first Shopping Centre High Ropes Course, and it very cleverly spans across the Atria Shopping Centre atrium.

I have to say, approaching it from below I was secretly glad my son had friends with him, and I could be in charge of the camera rather than also undertaking the course.  It was a long way up!

We have often walked past Rock Up Watford but had never been in before.  However, upon entering I was amazed at how much bigger it is inside than it looks from the outside.  It includes a fantastic soft play area for little children together with a large café and seating area for adults, as well as the more visible climbing walls.

The boys, who at 14 were definitely older than most of the participants, looked a bit nervous that it was all going to be aimed at younger children.  But they were wrong!  (And in fact I watched several adults also really enjoying the climbing during our visit.)  Following the safety briefing they got kitted up and were off up the various climbing walls.  Racing each other and challenging themselves with different walls they were fully and happily occupied whilst I had a cup of tea!  They were particularly delighted to find that instead of having to wait for someone to clip them on at each wall they could work around the area clipping themselves on, climbing and then abseiling down.  There were of course staff walking around as well, but this aspect was a big hit!  They also tried the Leap of Faith, a vertical drop experience, an extra cost but apparently well worth it for the thrill!

Finally, they were on to the High Ropes.  I duly exited Rock Up to go and watch from the atrium in the shopping centre.  They started on a shorter and (slightly) lower course to check they were all happy.  Then once that was completed, they were on to the really high one.  Just watching made my knees go a bit wobbly.  There was balancing, stretching, reaching and zip wires!  It was declared 'awesome'!

 

I can thoroughly recommend Rock Up Watford for a visit.  For the little ones the soft play looked great, the café stocked pizzas, toasties, ice creams and various snacks.  The climbing walls were large and varied and the high ropes were the adrenaline-hyped adventure my son had hoped for.  There is no doubt he will be back! 

Rock Up Watford is open Mon-Sat 9.30am-8pm and Sunday 9.30am-7pm Sunday (times may vary in school holidays).  Online booking is strongly advised as the arena capacity is limited for safety reasons.  The standard climb includes the High Ropes or you can just undertake the High Ropes.  Climbing is for ages 4+, and for the High Ropes you must be at least 1.4m tall.  (Although there is also a Toddler Climb which includes both the climbing arena and soft play.)  They also run Rockstar NICAS courses and hold Birthday Parties at the centre.