At Honister, we provide a range of family activities guaranteed to leave you with fun-filled memories for life! From indoor climbing to canyoning, we’ve got you covered. See the Adventures page for our extensive offering of adrenaline-packed activities.
General Questions
Our outdoor activities are designed to push your boundaries and test your limits. Set among scenic backdrops, the adrenaline will be pumping as you encounter dizzying heights, hidden underground mines and mountainous terrain. Best of all, you’ll have barrels of fun!
Our Via Ferrata Classic route is the perfect introduction to stepping out of your comfort zone. If you’re seeking an adrenaline-filled activity with the added bonus of natural beauty, this is the ideal adventure for you. You’ll follow the historic miner’s path high onto Fleetwith Pike – it’s sure to be a memorable experience. The addition of a continuous cable makes climbing this magnificent Lake District mountain achievable and safe for everyone.
Canyoning is a great activity to push your boundaries while appreciating striking landscapes. Set in the picturesque Lake District National Park, you’ll make your way along the course of a waterfall, abseiling down sheer faces and scrambling over rocks whilst taking in magnificent mountainous scenery.
Our Infinity Bridge is the longest high-wire bridge in Europe. With its name derived from the fact you’re unable to see the other side, crossing our Infinity Bridge is a guaranteed way to test your nerve. Boasting stunning views of an incredible industrial landscape, our bridge will take you 1000 ft above sea level.
The cost of cliff camping will depend on the package you choose. Here are the cliff camping packages available at Honister:
- One Portaledge overnight stay (2 people) – £500
- Two Portaledges overnight stay (4 people) – £800
We provide a range of activities that feature outdoor climbing. You can choose from:
We have a café located in the main visitor area, known as The Bait Cabin. It is open daily and serves paninis, soups, bacon sandwiches, ice cream and homemade cakes, along with a variety of refreshing drinks.
We also have WiFi available to our customers, as well as parking facilities – FREE for Honister customers and £5.00 per day per vehicle if you are not a customer. This is refundable on the day against some activities or shop purchases over £10.00.
Here at Honister, we provide an exciting variety of team building packages:
- Experience Day – a full day of action-packed fun with the Honister All Day Pass experience
- Overnight Package – two fantastic days of team fun, packed with activities and thrills
- Ultimate Adventure – 3 days out of the office to build an unforgettable experience for your team
- Bespoke Package – a custom package to suit your requirements
Mine tours are appropriate for all ages and fitness levels. Please note that this activity does involve descending down approximately 50 steps (with a handrail).
Unfortunately, due to the terrain and nature of the mountain, we cannot permit wheelchair users on our tours. However, our visitor centre is wheelchair-friendly and accessible toilet facilities can be found in our café.
Dogs are not permitted on any paid activity, however, they are welcome in the café, shop, and public viewing area. Don’t fret – there are plenty of friendly local dog walking companies who will gladly look after your pet for the day.
Honister’s Via Ferrata, Climb The Mine and Infinity Bridge activities do not require a high level of body strength, but some activities can be physically demanding and therefore do require reasonable levels of fitness. For more experienced climbers with higher levels of fitness, the Via Ferrata Xtreme is the choice for you.
Please see our booking terms for more information on fitness level, height and weight requirements.
Many of our activities are child-friendly, particularly if there will be adults present too. You’ll find minimum age requirements on our individual adventure activity pages, as well as guidance on whether adult supervision is necessary.
Please consult our booking terms for further information.
Honister offers canyoning experiences at £80 per person for groups of up to 6 people. Please enquire about larger groups or private sessions, as costs will vary depending on your requirements.
Our Climb The Mine activity is the perfect indoor climbing adventure for a rainy day! Climb the Mine follows the route of the original underground mine workings and is complete with vertical climbs, rope-bridge crossings, steel ladder ascents, run-away zip line and a Tarzan swing.
You’ll be able to explore a secret world of hidden passages and magnificent cathedral-sized caverns where miners used to extract rock for roofing slates, before emerging to a spectacular view of one of England’s highest mountain passes.
No. This is agreed to in the terms and conditions at the time of booking.
We will, however, issue you with a voucher which is valid for 12 months if cancelled 48 hours BEFORE the date of your activity. If you cancel WITHIN 48 hours vouchers will not be issued.
The Via Ferrata can be seen from a distance from a layby on the Buttermere side of the pass (binoculars recommended) however please be aware it is not always possible for people to spectate any of the adventures as this view is entirely weather permitting.
Yes. Located in the main visitor area. It is open daily serving paninis, soup, bacon sandwiches and homemade cakes with teas and coffees.
Whilst we try to cater for all dietary requirements sometimes it is not always possible.
No. The bus operates to take mine tour customers to the mine entrance only.
Keswick is 8 miles, Cockermouth 13 miles.
yes! we do, available for our customers only
Green due to the volcanic ash nature of the rock.
On average 300 years.
No. The closest public phone is in Seatoller (at the bottom of the pass).
Yes. They are welcome in the café, shop and public viewing area.
They are not permitted on any paid activity.
If you are struggling to find a solution for your pet, then there are plenty of local dog walking companies around the area who will look after your pet for the day.
Via Feratta
No. We provide all the necessary safety equipment required. (Helmet and harness/lanyard system). You must use Honister’s own equipment due to our strict equipment maintenance & testing.
No. We currently do not have a zip wire, however late 2018 our plans for a zip wire (the first of its kind in the Lake District) were approved so please keep an eye out for further information that will be released in due course.
Average fitness level. Think of a 3-hour mountain walk. You will be moving for most of the activity at a steady pace.
Our experienced guides are on hand to assist and are fully trained to deal with all situations. Our aim is to encourage as many people as possible to experience our spectacular location while getting your adrenaline pumping!
Italian for “Iron Walk Way”
A via ferrata is the bridge between scrambling and climbing. It requires simple to use equipment and requires a relatively good head for heights.
Unlike climbing or bouldering, a via ferrata routes are usually marked out by metal rails and rungs embedded into the mountain.
It’s easy to follow and a great way to tackle otherwise impassable cliffs and ledges.
Often round in the French Alps or the Dolomites, via ferrata is commonly used for sport, you climb from the bottom to the top of a mountain or crag (pretty vertically) and walk back down again.
Historically, via ferrata was used to get between mountains – a way of taming an otherwise inaccessible ridge. One of the original used of via ferrata was that they were frequently used during the First World War to move troops and equipment across the mountains.
Yes. For safety, we have a strict restriction of 18 Stone (114KG), with a waist measuring no more than 43 inches and thighs less than 27 inches.
All our tours are with experienced guides. That have received full external and internal training to be able to lead groups up our routes.
Participation on the routes must be part of a supervised group with an internally trained guide.
It is strictly forbidden to access any part of the route without a guide.
Minimum participation age is 10 years and 1.3 meters tall,
Unfortunately, children (10 years – 15 years) must always be accompanied by an adult (16 +) on any activity.
One adult may supervise up to 5 under 16’s and the participating adult must be prepared to sign a disclaimer accepting responsibility for the children.
On average, 3 hours.
We will only cancel our activities in the case of Strong Winds or electrical storms.
Honister reserves the right to make any operational changes at any time which are considered necessary for safety or operational matters.
For safety reasons we may introduce amendments to the route or activity termination.
If the weather does force us to cancel an activity, we will endeavour to contact all customer prior to arrival and an alternate activity or an opportunity to rebook will be offered. Refunds will not be given.
Cameras/Mobile phones are not permitted on the via ferrata route due to health and safety, you must be able to use both hands whilst climbing.
‘Go Pro’s’ may be used if attached to a one of our helmets, or via a chest mount.
This must be checked by the guide. A select few of our helmets have the mount attachment on the helmets, these are available on a first come first served basis.
They cannot be hand held or attached to wrists/clothing.
We would recommend dressing for cold weather most of the year! Plenty of layers is recommended and strong footwear.
Heeled boots/shoes are not suitable to be worn onsite anywhere and open toed shoes/sandals will prohibit participation on any activity.
Honister does have the right to refuse admittance if inappropriate clothing is worn.
We would always recommend wearing gloves for our activities, please make your clothing choices appropriate to the weather conditions!
We are in a very remote location and failure to come equipped may affect your experience at Honister!
Please remember it is always much cooler in the mountains than down at sea-level.
Mine Tours
We welcome everyone to Honister; however, whilst our activities are designed to be accessible to most people, they do offer a degree of physical and mental challenges.
For some people with additional needs this may mean that additional equipment and/or persons will be required for safe participation, unfortunately due to the terrain and nature of the mountain we cannot permit wheelchair users on our tours as they involved 40 uneven steps.
Our visitor centre is wheelchair friendly and access for all toilet facilities can be found in our café.
If you are unsure or have any questions, please get in touch info@honister.com or 01768777230
Mostly ground level as you go into the mine horizontally, the mines in Honister crag span 10+ miles, created through over 250 years of mining.
No. our tours are in tunnels that may require a person to bend/stoop for short periods of time & the tour also includes 30/40 steep steps. This is all walkable.
Our experienced guides are on hand to assist and are fully trained to deal with all situations
Yes. We recommend night setting, with flash enabled, please note video recording is not permitted on the tours.
Temperature is a constant 51 degrees Fahrenheit / 10 degrees Celsius, please come prepared for the weather.
Good warm jackets, waterproofs and strong footwear are recommended.
Heeled boots/shoes are not suitable to be worn onsite anywhere and open toed shoes/sandals will prohibit participation on any activity.
Honister does have the right to refuse admittance if inappropriate clothing is worn.
Please make your clothing choices appropriate to the weather conditions!
We are in a very remote location and failure to come equipped may affect your experience at Honister!
Please remember it is always much cooler in the mountains than down at sea-level.
Shop
Yes. We offer a wide range of slate products to purchase. You can view the site here www.honistergreenslate.com.
If you have something in mind that you cannot see please email sales@honister.com as we pride ourselves on being able to produce custom and bespoke pieces our of beautiful Westmorland greenslate.
On average 3 hours but it can take longer if you require a design included, please email sales@honister.com with any enquiries. Or you can design it yourself and purchase online at https://www.lakedistrictslate.co.uk .
Yes. We use either parcel or freight depending on weight.
We do not recommend it.
We use a silicone sealant on all our slate products.
Parking
FREE for Honister customers.
£5.00 per day per vehicle, if you are not a customer. This is refundable on the day against Mine Tours, Via Ferrata’s and Subterranean Climb The Mine, The Infiniti Bridge or Shop purchases over £10.00 retail value. Please present your ticket at the time of purchase.
Tickets are available from the Shop.
On leaving the B5289 the main entrance for customers wishing to park at Honister is at the front of our Visitor Centre. Turn immediately right for our main ”Visitors’ Car Park”, turn left for the “Overflow Car Park”.
We do not recommend you use our coach/wagon entrance as the track is not suitable for passenger vehicles.
Coaches are welcome to park at Honister free. We have lots of space, but please phone ahead and we can help with traffic flow.
We regret no overnight parking unless previously arranged and is charged at the day rate.