Paul Murphy chooses five active pursuits to try across the network
You’re in the army now
Enrol on a British Military Fitness (BMF) army training-style workout, above. It’s open to everyone and you won’t find army sergeants screaming at you Full Metal Jacket style. Worried from Woking: “I can hardly do one press-up, let alone 100.” BMF: “Don’t worry. Our classes are divided into different ability groups including beginners.” Nervous from Norbiton: “Do I need to be super-fit?” BMF: “No, but you should be committed to improving your fitness. If you lack motivation, we’re here to help you.” Yes Sah! Sessions accessible from our stations include Battersea Park (Queenstown Road station), Bushy Park (Hampton Court), Clapham Common (Clapham Junction), Stoke Park (London Road [Guildford]), Southsea Common (Portsmouth & Southsea), Southampton Common (Southampton Central).
Nearest stations: See above for details
British Military Fitness (020 7751 9742; britmilfit.com). First lesson free, after that from £20 per month.
Monkey around
Go Ape! is a high-wire forest adventure course of rope bridges, Tarzan swings and zip slides, set in the tree tops, below left. You are fitted with a climbing harness and given instruction before embarking on the course (up to three hours). Remember to use the clips and you are perfectly safe. No skill needed, just a head for heights and some bottle!
Nearest stations: Bracknell and Farnham
Go Ape! Bracknell, The Look Out, Nine Mile Ride, Swinley Forest. From Bracknell station, it is a three-mile taxi ride (book your taxi in advance; no taxis at the station) or catch Beeline Buses 158 or 159 (01344 868688) from the bus station—mention your destination to the bus driver who will drop you near a signposted walkway for the 15-minute walk. Go Ape! Alice Holt, Alice Holt Forest, Buckshorn Oak, Wrecclesham, near Farnham. From Farnham station, it is a 10-minute taxi ride or catch Stagecoach Bus 18 (0845 121 0180) direct to the park. £25, children £20. Minimum age 10, minimum height 1.4m (4ft 7in), maximum weight 20.5 stones (130kg). Under-18s must be accompanied by a participating adult. Call the Go Ape! booking centre on 0845 643 9215 or visit goape.co.uk.
That’s snow business
There’s always that nagging doubt when signing up for a course that you won’t have got the hang of it by the end. Well, the Alpine Snowsports Aldershot promise is that at the end of three (90-minute) sessions you will be able to snowboard, left. If not, you can repeat the third session for free until you have mastered it!
Nearest station: Aldershot
Gallwey Road, Aldershot (01252 325 889; alpinesnowsports.co.uk). From Aldershot station, it is an uphill 30-minute walk or a 2-mile taxi ride.
Forest freewheeling
A cycling tour of the New Forest, along more than 100 miles of well-defined, compacted gravel tracks, offers abundant wildlife and lots to see and do en route. Your guide is The New Forest Cycle Map, £2, available from any Tourist Information Centre, selected shops or thenewforest.co.uk.
Nearest station: Brockenhurst
New Forest cycling holidays, guided day trips and hire bikes offered by Country Lanes, The Railway Carriage, Brockenhurst station (01590 622627; countrylanes.co.uk). From £14 for the day, children £8. Or hire bikes at Cycleexperience Limited, situated at the Cycle Shack in the overflow car park at Brockenhurst station (01590 624204; cyclex.co.uk). From £11 for the day, children £6; half-day £6.50, £4.
Come fly with me
Kite-surfing is the most dynamic sport on the planet and apparently it’s not that difficult to learn. Start on dry land learning to fly a power kite with harness and bar so that you can “scud” or skid yourself along using the power of the kite. Then it’s simply a matter of getting on to the board in the water. Previous experience of kite-flying and windsurfing helps but is not necessary.
Nearest station: Parkstone
Poole Harbour Watersports, 284 Sandbanks Road, Lilliput, Poole (01202 700503; pooleharbour.co.uk). £95 one day, £165 two days. From Parkstone station, it’s a 2-mile taxi ride (book your taxi in advance; no taxis at the station).