Frequently asked questions

No. General climbing (bouldering and roped climbing) is paid for at reception when you arrive, so you can simply turn up during opening hours. Instructor-led sessions, courses, coaching and group events are arranged through an enquiry form – see Contact & Find Us.

Sessions, courses and coaching are planned around instructor availability, so please send an enquiry first. Staff will confirm availability by email. We cannot promise a place to someone who arrives without having enquired.

Mon–Fri 10:00–22:00; Sat–Sun 09:00–20:00. Last entry is 60 minutes before closing. Bank holiday opening hours can differ and are confirmed on request.

Weekday evenings after work and school, and weekends, are the busiest times. Monday to Friday until 16:00 is usually the quietest and is charged at our lower off-peak rate.

Yes. Spectators are welcome at no charge. They need to stay out of the climbing and landing areas, and any children with them must be supervised by an adult at all times. Everyone who enters the climbing area, including spectators who wish to join in, must pay admission and complete registration.

We want as many people as possible to be able to climb. Because access varies by area and by individual, please tell us about your needs before you visit – through the contact page – so we can give you accurate information and talk through how we can adapt a session.

Comfortable, stretchy clothing that lets you move your hips and lift your legs: leggings, joggers or shorts and a t-shirt. Avoid jeans, loose jewellery and anything with dangling cords. Tie long hair back. You will climb in climbing shoes, so thin socks or none are best.

No. We hire shoes (£3.50), harnesses (£3.50), belay devices (£2.00) and chalk bags (£2.00) per visit. A full roped set of shoes, harness and belay device is £8.00. See Prices & Memberships.

Yes, provided it is in good condition and suitable for climbing. Staff may ask to look at it and can refuse equipment that appears worn or unsafe. If you are unsure, bring it with you and ask at reception.

Chalk helps keep hands dry and is welcome. Please use it sparingly, keep it in a chalk bag, and brush holds down after you use them. If you are unsure about the current chalk rules, ask a member of staff on arrival.

Climbing carries risk, but it is well managed when you follow the rules. Every new climber has an induction covering how to fall and land, how the walls are used and the centre rules. Beginners also have the option of an instructor-led beginner session.

A staff member walks you through the registration and safety information, shows you how to fall and land on the mats, explains how to use the walls and, for roped climbing, how the equipment and checks work. It is included in your first visit. Full detail: First Visit.

Yes, everyone completes our registration and a short centre induction on their first visit. Experienced roped climbers can then show their belaying competence in a quick practical check with staff, rather than taking a course.

Not for bouldering or auto-belays. To climb with a rope and a partner you need to be able to belay safely: you can show us your skills in a practical check or take the Learn to Belay course (2 hours, £32 per person).

Children from age 5 can climb with us. Under-8s must be directly supervised by an adult. Under-14s must be accompanied by a responsible adult (18+) who stays in the centre. From 14, young people may climb without an adult once a parent or guardian has signed the consent form. Belaying is from age 14 and leading from 16, after a competence check. Full details: Kids & Teens Climbing.

Climbing involves physical effort and a risk of injury. If you have a medical condition, an injury, or are pregnant, please speak to your doctor first and let staff know in confidence before you climb. You always participate at your own risk and must not climb if you are unwell or injured.

Choose the activity, then send us your preferred date and time and contact details through the enquiry form. Staff confirm availability by email, and you pay at the centre. See the enquiry form.

No. An enquiry is a request. Your place is only reserved once we have confirmed it to you in writing by email. Until then, please do not treat the date as booked.

All payment is taken in person at the centre – there is no online payment on this website. Pay for general admission on arrival; pay for confirmed sessions, courses and groups at the centre as agreed in your confirmation email. Ask us when we confirm which payment methods are accepted.

Please tell us as early as you can by replying to your confirmation email. We ask for at least 24 hours’ notice for individual sessions and coaching, 48 hours for courses and clubs, and 7 days for group bookings. If you miss these deadlines we may ask for payment of the session fee before accepting a further reservation. Full terms: Terms & Conditions.

We aim to reply within two working days. Busy periods may take a little longer. If you do not hear from us, please check your spam folder, then contact us using the details on the contact page.

Yes. Concession admission (£11.00 peak, £9.00 off-peak) is available to students, people aged 65 and over and others who hold a valid concession card. Please bring photographic ID or a valid card.

Off-peak is Monday to Friday from opening until 16:00, excluding bank holidays. Adult off-peak admission is £10.50 compared with £13.50 at peak times.

Memberships are fixed-term and paid for in full at the centre (1, 3 or 12 months) – they do not renew automatically, so there is no direct debit to cancel. A 10-visit pass is valid for 6 months. Both are personal to the named holder. See Prices & Memberships.

Memberships and passes are not normally refundable or transferable. If you are unable to climb for a long period because of illness or injury supported by medical evidence, speak to us – we will consider an extension at our discretion.

It depends on their age. Children under 14 need an accompanying adult (18+) in the centre. Young people aged 14–17 can climb independently after a parent or guardian has signed the consent form. During a Kids Club or Teen block, instructors lead the session but a parent or guardian of any under-14 must remain in the centre.

No more than 6 children per instructor in our Kids Club and children’s sessions. Party and school group ratios are set out on the Groups & Parties page.

A Kids Taster session (60 minutes, £14) is a gentle start: games, low walls and an instructor who adapts to how confident your child feels. Let them set the pace and celebrate effort, not height.

Parties are for 8 to 16 children at £17.50 per child. Food and drink arrangements are agreed when we confirm your party.

Groups need to bring enough adults to supervise their young people at all times; we suggest at least one adult for every 6 young people, and those supervising adults are free of charge. Our instructors lead the climbing activity but the group leader remains responsible for behaviour and welfare.

Yes. A team session is £24.00 per person for groups of 8 or more (2 hours, instruction and equipment included). Tell us what you would like to achieve and we will suggest a format.

No. Climbing is more about technique, balance and problem-solving than strength, and routes come in all difficulties. Fitness and strength build naturally; the best way to avoid injury is to start easy, warm up and rest between sessions.

Two sessions a week with a rest day between is a sensible start. Your fingers and forearms need time to adapt, so more is not always better. Our first-month guide has a simple plan.