Climbing is an exhilarating sport. You get to challenge yourself and test your strength, agility, and mental toughness. But to become a skilled climber, you need somewhere to train! Not everyone has access to expensive climbing gear, or amazing climbing spots, however. But don’t worry! If you want to try climbing or develop your skills, we have found 10 of the best climbing walls in the UK for your enjoyment!
Redpoint Climbing Centre
- Location – Birmingham, West Midlands
- Website – https://www.redpointbirmingham.co.uk/
- Other Features – On-site café serving hot meals
If you live in the West Midlands, you have access to one of the best climbing walls in the UK at Redpoint Climbing Center. This climbing center has an amazing set of routes and panels. They feature strange angles and the routes encourage you to traverse from panel to panel.
There are also two separate bouldering areas, and a training area for beginners. The three-dimensional climbing experience helps simulate natural rock formations and it offers a great experience for intermedia climbing. Redpoint Climbing Centre also has a friendly atmosphere with staff who encourage your development. There is also a fully vegetarian café that serves a great selection of hot meals, drinks, and snacks.
The Warehouse Climbing Centre
- Location – Gloucester, Gloucestershire
- Website – https://www.the-warehouse.co.uk/
- Other Features – Caving experiences available
The Warehouse Climbing Centre is another fascinating place much like The Castle. Instead of a pumping station, this climbing wall is housed within an old Victorian warehouse! It is spread over an immense five floors and offers hundreds of different climbing routes.
There is also a dedicated kids zone where children can learn safely using an auto belay system. Moreover, if you want to try something different, they have a fantastic 100m-long artificial caving system! This cave system has a myriad of tunnels and chambers and offers something different after your climbing experience.
Both adults and children can enjoy taster sessions, and there are also weekly social sessions if you want to join a climbing community. You can also become a member of the centre on either a monthly or annual basis which provides an array of benefits.
The Castle Climbing Centre
- Location – London N4
- Website – https://www.castle-climbing.co.uk/
- Other Features – Yoga and personal training also available
The Castle Climbing Centre is an interesting venue as the walls are housed within a Grade II-listed water pumping station! It is also one of the largest climbing venues in Europe! If this wasn’t reason enough to visit, The Castle Climbing Centre is set across five floors and has an amazing array of routes – over 450 to be precise.
There is also a great bouldering section, and the walls cater for all types of climbing including top roping, lead climbing, and auto belay. We also like that the routes are regularly updated. This provides you with a continual challenge if you intend to visit regularly.
Aside from the excellent venue and the climbing, there is also a fully equipped shop where you can buy your camping essentials. Also, there is the Castle Café which serves a range of hot and cold drinks, snacks, cakes, sandwiches, and even alcohol.
Climbing Works
- Location – Sheffield, South Yorkshire
- Website – https://www.climbingworks.com/
- Other Features – Also has the “Mini-Works” for children
The Climbing Works in Sheffield is a hugely popular venue due to its central location in the UK. It is also one of the best climbing walls in the UK and was once the largest bouldering facility in the world! In total, you can benefit from over 1,500 metre squared of climbing space. The routes and walls cater for all skills levels – from first-time climbers, through to experts.
The routes are usually reset every three months on a rolling principle. There is also a huge Berghaus competition climbing wall for serious climbers which is reset every month.
Due to the success of the site, The Climbing Works has also opened the “Mini-Works” in the neighbouring building. This is a dedicated climbing area so children can learn in safety and without too much pressure from adults.
The Church
- Location – Bristol,
- Website – https://www.theclimbingacademy.com/locations/the-church/
- Other Features – 250 metre squared bouldering course
As you would expect, The Church in Bristol is built inside an old 15th century church! This venue is part of The Climbing Academy which also has locations in Bristol, Glasgow, and Chippenham.
The Church has climbing walls that reach heights of 12m, and you can find over 150 roped routes. There is also an interesting bouldering section that covers an area of 250 metre squared. It is well-equipped, and the routes are diverse enough for all skill levels. Beginners can benefit from a beginner’s course which starts from £55.
Craggy Island
- Location – Guildford, Surrey
- Website – https://www.craggy-island.com/
- Other Features – Has a café with locally sourced food
Craggy Island may be the home of a certain Father Ted, but this Craggy Island is a brilliant climbing centre in Guildford. Craggy Island is a well-equipped climbing venue with over 300 routes and 100 rope lines. The routes are well-maintained and changed regularly. There is also a friendly atmosphere and great training facilities.
The venue is fully airconditioned, and there is also a dedicated area for beginners. This will make you feel comfortable if you are climbing for the first time. We also like that the site has a large café that serves a range of locally sourced food – there is even free WiFi!
International Climbing Arena
- Location – Edinburgh
- Website – https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/venues/edinburgh-international-climbing-arena
- Other Features – Also has a soft play area for children
Moving to Scotland we have the International Climbing Arena. This is the current largest indoor climbing arena in Europe! When you get inside this immense space you will appreciate what that means. It has some amazing walls – the tallest of which spans up to 28m. Also, you can try your climbing skills on over 300 different routes and try gripping onto 11,000+ bolt-on holds.
The walls are quality and there is also a large bouldering area. The sheer size if this venue should give you hours of fun, and you should always be able to find a new climbing challenge. It also has reasonable prices, and the venue has a host of other facilities including a soft play area, and a gym.
Indy Climbing Wall
- Location – Anglesey
- Website – https://www.indyclimbingwall.co.uk/
- Other Features – N/A
The Isle of Anglesey is a fantastic place to visit and a beautiful part of Wales. It is also packed full of adventure and you can find many institutes like the Indy Climbing Wall in Llanfair.
This climbing centre has an array of brilliantly shaped and bulging walls that emulate the natural curves and formations of rocks. This makes for a more natural climbing experience. The routes are also set by climbing experts, and they are updated regularly.
The Indy Climbing Wall also offers sessions for children which are cheap but give them a great introduction into the world of climbing. If you are serious about the sort, you can also visit their on-site shop to get fitted for climbing shoes.
The Climbing Unit
- Location – Derby, Derbyshire
- Website – https://theclimbingunit.com/
- Other Features – Café serving hot drinks and snacks
If you live in the East Midlands or Derbyshire, you have access to the fantastic Climbing Unit. This is a brilliant venue and one of the best climbing walls in the UK. In total, you can climb over 1100 metres squared of walls. This includes bouldering, roped climbing, circuit walls, and a training area.
If you want to improve your climbing skills, or are a beginner, The Climbing Unit also has a range of courses and sessions for both adults and children. You can have simple induction sessions, or you can opt for more detailed coaching sessions.
The site also has an excellent café that serves hot and cold drinks, healthy snacks, and even a selection of delicious homemade cakes! Lastly, if you want to invest in some climbing gear, there is a dedicated on-site shop that will cater to all your needs.
The Climbing Hangar
- Location – Liverpool, Merseyside
- Website – https://www.theclimbinghangar.com/locations/liverpool
- Other Features – Café and licensed bar
Our last feature venue is the fantastic Climbing Hangar in Liverpool. This large climbing venue is the flagship of this company and they also have a second venue in Liverpool, and venues in London, Plymouth, and Swansea.
It has an excellent range of climbing routes that are suitable for all skill levels – from beginners to experts. There is also a dedicated kid’s area where children can play and learn to climb at their own pace.
The atmosphere is also relaxed and the staff are experts in climbing and ready to help. There is also a café, licensed bar, and a shop. You could easily spend a full day out here climbing, to then have a drink in the bar or enjoy a hot meal.
Try a New Sport Today and Get Climbing at One of These Locations!
As you can see, you don’t have to travel far to practise your climbing! Throughout the UK you can find some amazing climbing and bouldering facilities. The 10 best climbing walls in the UK we have featured would be great for anyone – regardless of their skill level. Also, at most of these places, you can pay for training sessions or starter lessons to learn the basics!