A group of 14 of us from the office recently visited Delta Force Paintball North London (Hemel Hempstead) for a team day out, and I have to say it was a fantastic experience overall. From start to finish, the day was filled with adrenaline, laughter, and a good mix of competitiveness and camaraderie. Everyone in our group – ranging from complete beginners to those who had tried paintball before – found the games engaging, fun, and memorable.
The venue itself is very well laid out with a variety of game zones that keep things exciting. Each round feels different, with imaginative scenarios and plenty of cover spots, so there’s never a dull moment. The marshals deserve a lot of credit too. They are very strict when it comes to the rules, and while at first it may feel like they are being overly cautious, you quickly realise how necessary it is. A stray pellet can catch you even in what you think is a safe area, so the fact that they repeatedly reinforced safety procedures was actually reassuring. Their vigilance meant that we could focus on enjoying ourselves without worrying about accidents. I really appreciated their professionalism and attentiveness, especially given how large our group was.
Now, the only real drawback – and the reason I’m giving four stars instead of five – is the way paint pellets are used up. You genuinely don’t realise how quickly they run out. Each game is so immersive that you’re firing away constantly, and before you know it, your initial supply is finished. Of course, you can buy more, but to keep playing and having fun with the rest of the group, you almost have no choice but to keep topping up. This wouldn’t be an issue if it was just a few extra pounds here and there, but by the end of the day most of us in our office group had spent close to £90 per person once you included pellet refills on top of the entry cost. That definitely adds up, and I can see it being a surprise to anyone going in for the first time.
That being said, I don’t want this to overshadow the positives. We genuinely had an amazing time together, and the atmosphere was great. It’s one of those experiences where you look back and laugh at the “battlefield stories” with your colleagues. If you’re planning a group activity and want something energetic, competitive, and a little bit different, this place ticks all the boxes. Just be mindful of your budget when it comes to paint pellets, and you’ll have a brilliant day out.
Overall rating: 4 stars – great fun, brilliant staff and marshals, but be prepared for the extra costs.