A Shepton Mallet children's charity is inviting members of the public to take on a dramatic 160-foot abseil from one of the region's most iconic landmarks next spring.

SOS Africa will host the charity challenge at King Alfred's Tower, at Stourhead, over the weekend of Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 April 2026.

The event has been rescheduled following the cancellation of the final day of the autumn 2025 challenge and is being held with the support of the National Trust. It is the highest abseil the charity has organised to date and offers a rare chance for the public to descend from the historic tower.

SOS Africa first ran the abseil in September 2023, when 270 fundraisers completed the challenge. The charity said demand to repeat the event has remained strong, prompting the return of the two-day fundraiser.

Participants will climb the tower's 205 steps before descending from the top, taking in sweeping views across neighbouring counties before reaching the ground. The charity says the event is suitable for all ages, with no previous abseiling experience required, making it a family-friendly challenge.

To take part, each abseiler must pay a £20 deposit to cover instructor costs and commit to raising a minimum of £50 in sponsorship. Individuals and teams are both welcome to sign up.

Entries are now open, with organisers encouraging people from Shepton Mallet, Mendip and across the South West to get involved. Full details and registration information are available via the King Alfred's Tower charity abseil sign-up page.

More local stories:

advertisement

• Shepton Mallet firm lands double finalist spot in Somerset awards
• Shepton Mallet skies to light up with 600-drone space show

Newsletter call-out:

Sign up to our free local newsletter — Our top stories in your inbox every Friday.