Next Spring, SOS Africa will host a 160ft charity abseil fundraising event from King Alfred’s Tower at Stourhead. Taking place over the weekends of the 17th/18th and 24th/25th April 2027, this exciting event is the charity’s highest to date and a unique opportunity for the general public to abseil this iconic historical National Trust venue.
SOS Africa’s King Alfred’s Tower Charity Abseil returns in April 2027
SOS Africa hosted charity abseil fundraising events from King Alfred’s Tower in September 2023, 2025 and April 2026 during which 750 fearless fundraisers raised vital funds for the Shepton Mallet based charity and Stourhead, National Trust. The event attracts beginner abseilers of all ages; last year participant ages ranged from 9 to 85 years old! The popularity of the event continues to grow; each year SOS Africa is inundated with requests to host the event again.
Throughout this highly anticipated 4-day charity abseil, brave fundraisers from across the Southwest and beyond will climb Alfred’s Tower’s 205 steps and descend from the top of this iconic monument. Before touching down at the base of the tower they will be able to savour breath-taking views across the surrounding counties.
SOS Africa and Stourhead National Trust are hoping to break previous event records and recruit 350 abseilers to take on the challenge and raise funds for their charitable initiatives in Cape Town and Stourton. All proceeds will be invested in essential training courses to tackle youth unemployment in South Africa and vital nature rehabilitation projects across Stourhead.
A family event suitable for abseilers of all ages – no previous experience required
King Alfred’s Tower Abseil Registration
To register for our King Alfred’s Tower Charity Abseil, please fill out the contact for below. Participants must be 9 years of age or older and are required to pay a £20 deposit to cover Aardvark Endeavours Instructors fees and raise £50 per person in the lead up to the event. No previous abseil experience is required – training will be provided.
Event organiser Matt Crowcombe will then reply within 24 hours to confirm your abseil date/time and request the deposit. Your abseil will only be booked once the deposit is sent. If you do not hear from Matt within 24 hours, please email: matt@sosafrica.com.
Additional Event Information
Event organisers from SOS Africa, Aardvark Endeavours and Stourhead, National Trust
The SOS Africa Children’s Charity was founded by Shepton Mallet student Matt Crowcombe in 2003. Each year the charity staff and volunteers have hosted fundraising challenges from iconic venues from across the southwest of England including Glastonbury Festival Pyramid Stage, Shepton Mallet Prison and Wells Cathedral. These events have raised hundreds of thousands of pounds to educate disadvantaged children across South Africa.
Experienced abseil instructors from Aardvark Endeavours based in Cheddar, Somerset
Aardvark Endeavours are an experienced team of instructors who host various outdoor activities including abseiling, rock climbing, caving, archery and kayaking from their activity base near Cheddar in Somerset. They partnered with SOS Africa back in 2014 and together they have organised charity abseils from iconic buildings and landmarks such as Glastonbury Festival Pyramid Stage and Wells Cathedral.
King Alfred’s Tower is 160ft tall folly built in 1772 by Henry Hoare II
Built by Stourhead Estate Owner Henry Hoare II in 1772, King Alfred’s Tower was constructed at the site of Egbert’s Stone, the folkloric landmark where Alfred the Great rallied his Saxon troops in 878AD to hold off a Saxon invasion. Constructed with over a million red bricks, the tower has become the pride of the 2650-acre Stourhead Estate.
Stourhead General Manager Philip Niemand has supported the event from its inception and cannot wait to welcome more brave abseilers to Alfred’s Tower this September:
“Alfred’s Tower was built 250 years ago, reputedly marking the spot where King Alfred raised his standard and rallied his troops before setting off to defeat the Vikings at the battle of Eddington. This moment in time started our societal journey of freedom and democracy. We now have an exciting opportunity to raise valuable awareness of and funds for communities that are not as fortunate. The SOS Africa Abseil from the Tower is itself a unique call to action, an opportunity to join the charity’s most challenging event to date from one of the most iconic monuments in the Southwest, raising funds for two very important causes.” Philip Niemand (General Manager, Stourhead)
Stourhead General Manager Philip Niemand was the first of 270 to abseil in 2023
This is likely to be a popular event and places will be limited so we recommend signing up and sending your deposit as soon as possible to avoid missing out. Thank you for your support and we look forward to welcoming you to the top of King Alfred’s Tower next April…
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