Days out: Circus school

First steps in the flying game

What is it?

Circus Space is one of Europe's top performance schools and the powerhouse of British contemporary circus. Performers of all abilities, from beginners to masters, practise side by side in this egalitarian establishment. It is the only place in the UK to offer a circus degree, and makes a determined effort to welcome all-comers.

Safety here is paramount, so much so that it no longer offers unicycling or stilt walking. "A shame," said programme director Charlie Holland, "but health and safety regulations are really tough nowadays."

There are specialist courses, too. Anyone wanting just to juggle can pay £4.50 for the three-hour drop-in workshop on Sundays from 6pm to 9pm (no minimum age). You are liable to be standing next to the best in the land, which could be off-putting, but in practice is strangely inspiring. It took them 45 minutes to teach me to juggle with three balls. You can also learn to juggle with the diabolo (yo-yo), clubs and devil sticks.

Then, for those of a brave and bendy nature, there's a specialism in acrobatic tumbling – that's back flips, handstands, somersaults and cartwheels – at £9 a session. Courses for all levels are held on weekday evenings. Acrobatic balancing (that's one person balancing on another) also costs £9. Flying and static trapeze costs £12.

There are plenty of other circus centres throughout the UK. The website www.jugglingdb.com is the best source of information.

Where is it?

In a converted power station, in Coronet Street, London N1 6HD (020-7613 4141; www.thecircusspace.co.uk)

Something for the children?

Between 1 February and 15 November, on Saturday mornings and afternoons, there are workshops dedicated to Western skills. They cover the art of whip-cracking, knife-throwing and lasso, and cost £40.

On my visit, I was standing alongside 13-year-old Jack, who was juggling seven balls. Desperately ambitious, he practises one and a half hours a day. Glynn, his father and manager, was videotaping his efforts so they could both study his juggling patterns later. "I've been juggling for four years and want to get to the very top," said Jack. He even has his own act which includes turning somersaults while the balls are in mid air.

Something for adults?

Interestingly, circus skills are increasingly being used as a corporate training tool. They are said to develop concepts such as risk-taking, team-building and trust. As the children enjoy themselves, mum and dad might well ponder the psychological benefits of swinging on the flying trapeze.

The best option for the ordinary punter is the Introduction to Circus Skills course, held twice a month on Saturdays, costing £40. Anyone over the age of 14 can join these family sessions, which run from 11am to 2pm and 2.30pm to 5.30pm. You learn four basic circus-performing skills: flying trapeze, juggling, acrobatic balancing, and static trapeze. Students are divided into four groups of eight and spend an equal amount of time on each skill.

The final activity is the formation by each group of the eight-body human pyramid, which emphasises the importance of teamwork.

I'm hungry

Nearby is the Juggler Café, complete with a statue of a juggler. Here you can get soup, sandwiches, snacks and hot drinks.

Can we buy a souvenir?

You can purchase a £40 voucher for the introductory circus skills course as a present for friends and family. Plus a signed copy of Charlie Holland's book Strange Feats and Clever Turns for £12.99.

How do we get there?

By tube: Northern line to Old Street, then a four-minute walk east along Old Street, left into Pitfield Street and second right into Coronet Street.

By bus: Nos 26, 43, 55, 242, 243, 271.

By train: The nearest mainline railway station is Liverpool Street.

Will there be queues?

For details on the full range of courses and times, contact the school (see above). Although there are more than 50 classes a week for adults as well as children's activities, courses usually fill up, so booking as much as four to six weeks in advance is necessary.

Disabled access: The ground floor level of The Circus Space and all shows are accessible to wheelchair users. There is also an adapted WC.