10 of the UK's coolest climbing walls to visit this winter
'Tis the season for indoor sessions! But if you feel like you're becoming part of the furniture at your local, why not try a bit of wall tourism? Grab your mates and get ready to check out some of the UK's coolest climbing walls...
Wet and wild weather means that many of us will be confined to indoor climbing this winter. Of course, we love our local, but we all need a change of scenery sometimes.
Thinking about venturing a little further afield and sampling the delights of a different establishment? In no particular order, we've put together a list of just a few of the coolest and quirkiest walls for you to check out. This list is by no means exhaustive, and you can use the BMC's Climbing Wall Finder to find hundreds more brilliant locations. Some might require membership as well as an entry fee, and you will have to complete any pre-requisite safety checks and waivers if you're new to the wall (even if you're an experienced climber). Check websites for pricing and opening times.
Ready to go wall touring? Pack some snacks, get a few friends together, organise a lift share and get stuck in...
1. City Bloc, Leeds
City Bloc is the product of 4 former members of the British Bouldering Team and located on Leeds South Bank. Designed with both beginners and advanced climbers in mind and with progression at its heart, this bouldering centre has a dedicated training gym and three different wall types for you to develop your skills in indoor climbing.
There's a cafe and chill out space for refuelling with a slice of cake, and secure bike storage. City Bloc also host regular 'Bloc Parties' - fun comps involving free coffee AND fancy dress, and they run BMC Fundamentals training too.
2. Third Ridge, Skye
A climber-run wall located in Portree on the Isle of Skye. It's not necessarily what you have in mind when you head to Skye, but Third Ridge provides a colourful and friendly indoor retreat on a dreich day while you wait for your project to dry. Lead and bouldering rooms with routes up to 10m offer something for everyone, but that's not all...
Throughout the winter months, there are film nights, reading groups, workshops, quiz nights, yoga and more to see you through the darker days. Keep an eye on their socials to find out what's on. The centre is located next door to a partner gym, where you can grab a hot shower after your session too.
3. Mile End Wall, London
East London's Mile End Climbing Wall is maintained by charity 'DEVELOPMENT through CHALLENGE' - promoting personal development through challenging physical activity, especially for young people.
The wall itself housed inside an old pipe engineering works and these days boasts around 16,000 sq. ft of climbing surface throughout its roped walls, bouldering and two dedicated training spaces. As well as offering coaching, NICAS courses and hosting affinity group socials, Mile End also has its own sauna!
4. EICA Ratho, Edinburgh
Located on the outskirts of Edinburgh in Ratho, the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena (EICA) is Europe’s largest indoor climbing centre. The location is unique, built into a disused quarry and boasting roped walls from 12-28m height, Olympic standard bouldering walls and a fully equipped gym overlooking the main quarry.
There's Clip'n'Climb for the kids and even an outdoor crag at the back. Because of the location, it can be a touch chilly, so pack layers!
5. Redpoint, Bristol
Located in the heart of Bedminster, Redpoint is a mixed climbing centre with lead walls, top rope areas, auto-belays, and boulders. The centre is split across several rooms and floors of an old cinema! There's a specially designed bouldering zone for kids, a lower, less intimidating room for rope climbing, and a comp lead wall and stalactite feature in the heart of the centre.
Redpoint is focused on providing a welcoming space for every climber. It is the home of Colour Up Bristol, a social climbing group that celebrates diversity within the sport. Redpoint also holds women's socials, mental health socials facilitated by Circular Climbing Collective, paraclimbing and queer climbing socials respectively!
6. Indy, Anglesey
With 50+ lines, 80+ routes and the steepest lead wall in North Wales, there's plenty to keep you busy at Indy. There's a training room, a well-stocked shop and (importantly) a cracking cafe selling organic coffee and probably the biggest selection of herbal teas you've ever seen. In case of a weather window, Indy also rent bouldering pads!
A strong local scene with a welcoming vibe, good tunes and quality route setting. What's not to like?
7. Quay Climbing Centre, Exeter
The South West’s largest indoor climbing centre located in Exeter’s historic Quayside Quarter. Quay is a family-friendly wall with 81 roped routes from 7-15m, plus 9 auto-belays with 37 climbing routes between them, and 30 problems within two boulder caves. There's a selection of wild-looking Clip'n'Climb challenges for little people and a cozy cafe to recharge your batteries.
Quay training facilities include a gym and dedicated boardroom featuring a comp slab, 30 degree LED Woody board, a visually impressive 20 degree Splat Board and original 40 degree board too. Some wall trivia for your trip: The quay hosted the UK's first DWS competition in 2014!
8. The Church, Newcastle
This centre is actually called Newcastle Cimbing Centre, but perhaps better known as The Church, what with it being situated inside one. There's over 1200 square metres of climbing including roped walls, bouldering and auto belays to go at, as well as a specialist gear shop. The atmosphere here is pretty unique, with the original church arches and windows still in place.
Aside from ambience, the centre offers taster sessions, coaching and adult beginner courses too.
9. Rainbow Rocket, Cambridge
Located in the flatlands of East Anglia, Rainbow Rocket is a welcoming space with 250 boulder problems for all abilities. Spread over 8000 square feet, other facilities include a small cafe and a training mezzanine. But it's the social side of things that really make Rainbow Rocket...
The wall has a regular Gals and Pals women's social, a community-run LGBTQ+ group and a weekly meet-up with BMC affiliate club Climbridge. Rainbow Rocket also run classes with Urban Uprising, a charity which organises free climbing sessions for disadvantaged young people, recently facilitating sessions for young Ukrainian refugees too.
10. Eden Rock, Carlisle
Located just off the M6 and perfectly located for a pit stop, Eden Rock Carlisle boasts some exceptional boulder setting by a mixed gender team that caters to all abilities. With a relaxed, unpretentious vibe and regular resets, it's a city venue with real Northern charm. Eden Rock's Winter Bouldering Series comps are well worth a punt, with a varied selection of problems spanning the grades so that everyone can try their chances.
Eden Rock holds a regular over 55's social and student discount on Wednesdays AND Fridays, as well as UV parties and laser maze events to keep a smile on your face during those dark nights.
Ready for a road trip? That ought to get you started.
These are just a few of the many incredible climbing venues throughout the UK, and if any of them are your local - lucky you! Don't forget you can use the BMC's Wall Finder tool to find even more great destinations nearby or further afield.
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