Family Adventure At Hangloose Adventure Bluewater – An Action Packed Day We’ll Never Forget Review
DISCLOSURE – THIS EXPERIENCE WAS GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST/S FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW.
Reviewed by Laura S
If you’re looking for a family day out that’s packed with excitement, adrenaline and plenty of laughs, I’d happily recommend Hangloose Adventure Bluewater in Kent. We visited as a family of four with our children aged 9 and 12, and by the end of the day, we’d tackled four of their biggest attractions: the Zipline, Aerial Trek, Big Swing and Skydive. It turned out to be one of the best family days out we’ve had in a long time, and I know we’ll still be talking about it weeks later.
One of the first things we noticed was just how easy it was to find Hangloose Adventure Bluewater. As Hangloose is located within Bluewater, there’s plenty of free parking available, which is always a bonus when you’re travelling as a family. Once you’ve parked, Hangloose is very well signposted, and it’s only a couple of minutes’ walk from the nearest car park, so you can be checked in and ready for your first activity in no time.
From the moment we checked in, everyone made us feel welcome. The staff were friendly, approachable and clearly took safety seriously. Every activity started with a thorough briefing, and throughout the day, we felt completely confident that we were in safe hands. As someone who’s not naturally the biggest thrill seeker, that reassurance made a huge difference.
We decided to start with the Zipline, and what an introduction it was. As England’s longest zipline, stretching over 720 metres across the spectacular Bluewater quarry, it’s an impressive sight before you’ve even clipped in. Standing around 100 metres above the ground, looking out across the chalk cliffs and lake, gets the heart racing. Once you’re launched, any nerves disappear as you soar across the quarry at speeds of up to 50mph in the Superman style flying position. The views are incredible and, although it’s over far too quickly, it’s the sort of experience that makes you want to queue up and do it all over again.
Next up was the Big Swing, which was probably the activity we were most nervous about. As Europe’s biggest swing, it’s certainly not for the faint-hearted. Being slowly winched higher gives you plenty of time to think about what you’re about to do. The drop is equivalent to around 22 storeys, so the anticipation alone is enough to get your pulse racing. Then suddenly you’re released into a huge pendulum swing, and all the nerves instantly turn into excitement. There were plenty of gasps, followed by “Wow, that was amazing!” comments once we’d come to a stop. Looking back, it’s probably the activity we’ll remember most.
If you want to relive the experience afterwards, you can also purchase head cam footage of both the Zipline and the Big Swing for an additional cost. It’s a brilliant keepsake and captures reactions that photos simply can’t. Our family and friends have enjoyed watching the footage.
It’s worth knowing before you book that some activities have minimum age, height and weight requirements for safety reasons. The information on the website is clear, so it’s easy to plan. Our 9 and 12 year old had plenty to choose from, although our youngest missed the requirements for the Zipline & Big Swing. While they were disappointed not to take part, they still loved watching the rest of us fly across the quarry and cheered us on from below.
The Skydive offered a completely different kind of thrill. Rather than jumping from an aircraft, it recreates the sensation of free fall in a safe, controlled environment. We’d never tried anything like it before, and it quickly became one of the children’s favourite activities. They seemed to master it much quicker than we did, which provided plenty of laughs and a bit of friendly competition.
Our final activity was the Aerial Trek, and it turned out to be one of the highlights of the day as we were all able to complete this together. The course is challenging enough to make you think, but never so difficult that it stops being fun. There are rope bridges, balance obstacles and climbing sections that really test your confidence. Our 9 year old flew around the course with absolutely no fear, while our 12 year old enjoyed pushing themselves on some of the trickier sections. Watching them encourage each other was lovely, and joining in as parents made it even more enjoyable.
Although we managed to fit in four amazing activities, there was still plenty we didn’t get a chance to try. Hangloose also offers an Inflatable Water Park, cold water swimming and a wild sauna, giving visitors even more reasons to come back. There really is something for everyone, whether you’re after an adrenaline rush or something a little more relaxing.
What really impressed us throughout the day was how enthusiastic everyone working there was. Nothing felt rushed, and every member of staff took the time to chat, answer questions and encourage anyone who looked a little nervous. It helped create a relaxed atmosphere where everyone, regardless of age, felt comfortable giving the activities a go.
The setting deserves a mention too. It’s hard to believe you’re only minutes from one of the UK’s busiest shopping centres because once you’re down in the old quarry, it feels like you’re somewhere completely different. The lake and towering chalk cliffs provide an amazing backdrop, making every activity feel even more spectacular.
We also appreciated the facilities on site. There was plenty of seating where family members could relax and watch the activities, and the café served a good selection of hot and cold food, snacks, drinks and ice creams, all at very reasonable prices. It was the perfect place to recharge between activities without leaving the site.
Hangloose isn’t the cheapest family day out, but considering the quality of the attractions, the professionalism of the staff and the memories we came away with, we felt it represented good value for money. There are both peak and off-peak prices available, so it’s worth checking if you have flexibility over when you visit. We managed to pack four activities into one day, and every single one offered something completely different.
If you’re planning a visit or are near the Southwest, it’s also worth knowing that Hangloose has a sister site at the Eden Project in Cornwall. Knowing the standard of our experience at Bluewater, we’d definitely be tempted to visit that one too.
We honestly couldn’t have asked for a better family day out. It had everything: adrenaline, laughs, a few nervous moments and lots of memories we’ll all remember for years. We’d recommend arriving a little early to make the most of the day, especially during busier periods. Even though our youngest couldn’t take part in every activity, they were never bored because there was always something exciting happening to watch.
We can’t wait to return and tackle the activities we missed. When our youngest can have a go on the Zipline and Big Swing, we’ll be back again. We’d have no hesitation in recommending Hangloose Adventure Bluewater if you are looking for something a bit different.
*Photographs credited to Hangloose Adventure
For further details and bookings, visit hanglooseadventure.com/bluewater
Overall rating: 5/5