Yes. The ropes and anchors are rated well beyond what is needed, instructors check every setup, and a separate safety rope backs you up the whole way down.

Can I do it if I am scared of heights?

Plenty of people are, and the first step is the hard part. Once you commit and feel the rope take your weight, nerves usually turn into a grin.

How fit or strong do I need to be?

Not very. The rope and your harness do the work. It is more about nerve than muscle.

Comfortable clothes you can move in, closed shoes with grip, and tie back long hair. Helmet and harness are provided.

How high are the drops?

It varies by venue, from friendly indoor towers to proper cliffs. You can usually build up as your confidence grows.

Do I need experience?

None. Instructors teach you everything you need at the top before you go anywhere near the edge.

Abseiling in Cumbria

Cumbria and the Lake District are England's adventure heartland — fell hiking, white-water rafting, canoeing and paddleboarding among the country's highest peaks and largest lakes. Trek the high fells with a mountain guide, raft and canoe the rivers, paddleboard across Windermere, Coniston and Derwentwater, and add ghyll scrambling or climbing to the mix. Whether you want a gentle family day on the water or a serious multi-day mountain trip, North West England's national park is hard to beat.

Abseiling is the art of walking backwards off a perfectly good cliff and trusting the rope to do its job. The gear is rock solid and the technique is simple, so the only real obstacle is the bit of your brain shouting at you near the edge. Once you are past that, the descent is controlled and oddly calm.

It needs no experience and not much strength, just a willingness to commit to that first lean-back. Instructors rig and check everything, talk you over the edge, and hold the safety rope, so you can focus on not gripping too hard.

The instructors on adventuro run supervised abseils on natural crags and indoor towers. Conquer the first one and you will immediately want a bigger drop.