Activities

Calshot Activities Centre (CAC) is run by Hampshire County Council, offering some of the highest standards of facilities of their type on the South Coast – indeed the velodrome is the only one south of London. 

Activity schedule to be confirmed.  Facilities include:

Cycling -  Velodrome Cycling

Calshot has the only indoor banked velodrome in the South of England. This national standard track was built in 1997 and can be used by a wide range of cyclists from novices to international standard. As long as you can ride a bike you can have a go under the watchful eye of a coach.

Minimum age of 12 years.

Bikes, cleated cycling shoes and helmets are provided.  Long sleeved tops and trousers MUST be worn.  You may wish to bring your own helmets.  The bikes are fitted with Look cleated pedals so you may bring your own shoes if they are compatible.  Pedals on the bikes shall NOT be changed

Climbing - Climbing

Calshot’s awesome climbing facilities rate amongst the biggest and best in the country, with over 1200 sq metres of climbing and over 80 rope lines. There are a wide range of routes from easy angled lower walls, for a gentle introduction, through to massive overhangs and roofs, giving routes over 14m in length, guaranteed to test the best.

Minimum age of 12 years for climbing, bouldering for anyone from 7+.

Harnesses provided - no special clothing required except for good-fitting footwear.

Archery

Minimum age of 8 years.

No special clothing required – all equipment provided

Costs, timings, age restrictions and durations may vary depending upon the activity so please check the details for each before booking.  Please also note the specific equipment requirements for your chosen activity – for instance long sleeves and full length trousers are required on the ski-slope.

As a subsidised council facility the prices for all the activities are far less than for a commercial enterprise and the price shown is the standard CAC booking price.

CAC are keen to point out that these sessions (unless indicated as recreational) are professionally instructed taster lessons, giving a real opportunity to learn a new skill or brush up on technique.  All are taught by fully technical and safety qualified Calshot staff.

Shoreside

With GPS trackers fitted to every boat the racing will be shown live on the shore at Calshot.  Calshot Activities Centre has its own fantastically situated bar with panoramic views of the Solent and a beachside patio.  Tea and coffee are served during all opening times and there is free Wi-Fi

Local Attractions

Book one of SailFest’s longer accommodation packages to extend your stay at Calshot and explore the surrounding countryside – or take in more of the Centre’s activities.  The RNLI and the National Coastwatch Instituion both have bases at the edge of the dinghy park, at the top of the slipway.  The RNLI usually have an exercise planned for a Sunday morning and plan to have their boats pulled out of their shed and on display throughout the weekend.  The NCI Tower is manned every day (by volunteers) and commands a fantastic view across the Solent and the Isle of Wight.  However, there is an understanding that only 'friends of the NCI' are welcomed up the 80+steps (ladders) to the top, so be ready with a donation if you want to go up.  There are no official visits planned but nearer the time there will be more details - email if you are particulalry interested in learning more about the NCI.

Of course the New Forest has a host of unique attractions to explore.  There are miles of off-road cycling routes and areas of wild heathland as far as the eye can see, plus historical villages and market towns like Beaulieu, Lyndhurst and Lymington.  Actually on site at Calshot there is Henry VIII's artilliery Fort, Calshot Castle, which is an English Heritage property.

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