Come rain or shine, indoor rock climbing in London always delivers. In London, sometimes the weather can rain on your parade… oh so unexpectedly. Even though this royal city boasts many centres for indoor rock climbing due to its lack of mountains to conquer, you could still reach new heights without the threat of the weatherman dampening your spirits with his or her soul-crushing news.
Adventure can be indoors or out, but in London, it is best to play it safe. So, if you’re seeking adventure, then these facilities providing indoor rock climbing in London are simply perfect, no matter the weather.
Top Facilities for Indoor Rock Climbing in London
Book accommodation in London here with Booking.com
City Bouldering
City Bouldering has three bouldering centres in London. The first is Aldgate on 33 Aldgate High Street, the second is White City in Ariel Way, Shepherd’s Bush and the last is Stratford, located at 234 High Street. If you’re a first-time climber, you can check out City Bouldering’s website and graze through the Beginners Guide. This institution is passionate about creating climbers and passing the passion to young athletes interested in climbing. Because of this, they are eager to teach kids the fundamentals of climbing, and you can even host a kid’s party with them.
City Bouldering also places a lot of its focus on teaching the art of climbing to bouldering enthusiasts. You can find courses that focus on the fundamentals of bouldering. Along with these courses, you can also book sessions for climbing and are usually one hour.
Book accommodation in London here with Booking.com
The Castle Climbing Centre
The Castle is a gigantic climbing facility. It has five separate levels for bouldering, top-rope climbing, and abseiling. This centre for indoor rock climbing in London truly is a castle for those who consider themselves royal climbers. With the centre’s abundance of climbing styles, you can hone your craft across the board.
From climbing without rope support to climbing high with support, every level promises to keep you on your tippy toes. This indoor climbing centre has approximately 450 top-rope and lead climbing routes ranging from 4 to 8a. If you want to lead climb at The Castle Climbing Centre, be sure to bring your own rope.
Note that if you want to climb at The Castle Climbing Centre, you must complete the online registration form beforehand. This is to state if you will be supervised or unsupervised, whether you’ll be rope climbing or bouldering only. You can buy a membership, a pre-paid pass, or a once-off, pay-as-you-go pass.
The Castle has an on-site shop, showers, changing rooms, a garden where the on-site café grows produce, training rooms, and limited car parking. You can opt to hire your gear or bring your own. The Castle is 45 metres at its highest point, and you can even abseil down the main tower. Another exciting thing about climbing at The Castle is that certain walls have windows that overlook the Emirates Stadium.
Book accommodation in London here with Booking.com
Mile End Climbing Wall
No registration is necessary at Mile End to experience indoor wall climbing in London. Mile End Climbing Wall provides bouldering, top rope climbing, and lead climbing on about 16,000 square feet of climbing surface. Lead climbing is more challenging than any other style of climbing.
It is, essentially, for more experienced climbers skilled in not being anchored to the top of the wall. Instead, climbers gradually clip themselves onto various spots on the wall as they climb higher and higher. Below them, a partner feeds more rope as the climber progresses upwards. It’s intense, and it’s not suited at all for beginners.
Mile End Climbing Wall has been open since 1986 and is entirely maintained by Development Through Challenge, a recognised charity. Mile End Climbing Wall also has the ‘Monkey House’, where bouldering routes span over the roof and require a lot of time.
Book accommodation in London here with Booking.com
The Arch Climbing Wall
The Arch Climbing Wall is a three-venue bouldering facility. Bouldering is a climbing style that is rope-free and undertaken at lower heights over crash pads. It is the first 10,000-square-foot bouldering wall launched at The Biscuit Factory in Bermondsey. However, The Arch Climbing Wall has since expanded to include a second location within the same Bermondsey complex and another 11,000-square-foot site in north London.
Regular climbers are kept on the edge (literally) with the centre’s rotation of 200-plus routes per week. Their routes vary from beginner-friendly to more intense. These routes are classified from V0 to V9, easiest to hardest. Don’t panic if you’re new to indoor rock climbing in London. At The Arch Climbing Wall, you can find campus boards, rings, training zones, and project boards for creating your routes.
If you get hungry, you can dine at the centres’ cafes. They sell deliciously light snacks, hot drinks, cold refreshments, and wholesome lunches. Perfect to keep you energised before and after your indoor rock-climbing experience.
Book accommodation in London here with Booking.com
VauxWall Climbing Centre
VauxWall invites climbers of all skill levels, from the top climbers whose adrenaline threshold is exceptionally high to those still new to the concept of ascension. VauxWall is easily one of the most accessible climbing centres in London, given that it is located just 100 metres from both the underground and national rail stations.
This facility only offers bouldering but has various features and difficulties in testing climbers’ skill levels. VauxWall is a cutting-edge bouldering centre that has set in place new ways and standards of climbing. With iPad inductions and registration, computerised check-ins, and the ultra-modern appearance and feel of the place, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into the future.
VauxWall has 500 square meters of high-quality climbing surfaces, ranging from easy slabs to severe overhangs. There are about 350 courses to select from, all rangig in varied skill levels. The building contains a separate training area, changing rooms and showers. This facility has been designed with only the climber in mind, so it’s no surprise that only the best quality fixtures have been installed, such as electronic registration and check-in systems, dust extraction, and air-conditioning. Indoor rock climbing in London just got better with VauxWall’s on-site cafe.
Book accommodation in London here with Booking.com
The Climbing Hangar
The Climbing Hangar is a truly unique facility for indoor rock climbing in London. A specialised training course boasts hang boards, campus boars, and weights. This facility also has the gold standard of bouldering training equipment, the Moonboard. The difficulty, just as with The Arch Climbing Wall, ranges from V0 to V6 (the highest grade of difficulty at The Arch Climbing Wall is V9). There is also a viewing gallery with seats overlooking the climbing sections where you can wonder at other climbers’ abilities while taking a break.
If you’re considering climbing at The Climbing Hangar, you must pre-register. Before climbing unaccompanied, beginners must attend a 30-minute Taster Session that teaches the fundamentals of climbing safety, specific skills, and a tour of the facility. If you have climbed before, show up, sign in at reception and answer some safety questions before heading to the walls.
Note that climbing shoes are included in the entry cost, and chalk bags are available for hire. There are also coaching sessions available from V1 to V3. The Climbing Hanger also has after-school rock clubs for children above 7 and a pay-as-you-go option for kids wanting to climb on Saturdays. These sessions are popular, so be sure to book in advance.
If you enjoy this article, be sure to read about Puppy Yoga London: What A Royal Wellness Experience!
So, You Want to Go Indoor Rock Climbing in London?
And who can blame you if you do? It sounds fun, exciting, adrenaline-filled, and nuanced. Indoor rock climbing in London is spilling over. There are so many centres where you can try this precision craft that engages all your muscles, including the one in your head. If you’re already a skilled climber and find yourself in London, then great!
The chances of you not finding a facility that could cater to your precise needs is slim to none. Also, if you’re wondering how to engage the entire family in this activity, City Bouldering is the top place for indoor rock climbing in London, with a particular emphasis on teaching kids this sport. So, try something fun, something new, and something inspiring. Try indoor rock climbing in London!
