Boulder Shack, Southampton: Climbing wall near Hedge End.
Boulder Shack is an indoor climbing wall in Southampton, 20 to 25 minutes from Hedge End. It is bouldering, so there are no ropes and no harnesses. Families come for parties, weekly clubs and something to do in the holidays, and plenty of parents end up climbing too.
Getting here
From Hedge End to our door.
We are at Imperial Park on Empress Road, Southampton SO14 0JW.
By car
About 6 miles along the A3024 through Bitterne, or a little further round the M27. Allow 20 to 25 minutes. Parking is free and right outside.
By bus
Bluestar 3 runs from Hedge End to Southampton through Thornhill, Bitterne and Northam, once an hour in the daytime. Get off at Princes Street in Northam, and we are about ten to fifteen minutes on foot.
By train
The car or the bus is simpler. Trains from Hedge End station go to Eastleigh, where you change for St Denys, a 15 minute walk from us.
Birthday parties
The party that wears them out.
An hour of climbing and games with our instructors, then the party room to yourselves. Parties are for children aged 5 and up.
There is free parking for everybody you invite, and the café for the grown ups who are staying.
Every week, and in the holidays
Something regular for them.
Junior Climbing Club
Weekly coached sessions for ages 5 to 17, in groups by age.
School holidays
We are open seven days a week, and extra sessions for younger children run in the holidays.
Teenagers
From 14, once a coach has signed them off, they can come and climb on their own. Until then one adult can supervise two climbers aged 6 to 17.
What it costs
Parties, clubs and a day out.
| What | Price |
|---|---|
| Kids birthday party, Up to 6 climbers aged 5 to 7, or up to 8 aged 7 and over1 hour instructed climbing and games, ages 5+. Party room 30 min before and 45 min after. Cups, plates and squash provided. Self catered. £50 deposit holds the date. At least 3 weeks' notice. | £140per party |
| Junior Climbing Club, 5 to 7 years, Per childMon, Thu or Fri 16:30 to 17:30. About 13 sessions per term. No sessions in half term or holidays. Shoes provided. | £13per session, billed termly |
| Junior Climbing Club, 8 to 12 years, Per childMon, Thu or Fri 17:45 to 18:45, Sun 09:30 to 10:30 or 12:30 to 13:30. | £13per session, billed termly |
| Junior Climbing Club, 13 to 17 years, Per childMon, Wed, Thu or Fri 19:00 to 20:30, Sun 10:45 to 12:15. | £16per session, billed termly |
| Induction (25 min coached class), Child / Concession | £11.50per person |
| Day pass, Junior (under 18)Peak | £11per day |
What parents ask us.
Do you do birthday parties?
We do. We run the climbing, you bring the cake, and there is somewhere for the parents to sit with a coffee while it happens. Ring us on 02380 171 808 to check dates. A party is £140 for up to 6 climbers aged 5 to 7, or up to 8 aged 7 and over, and £250 for up to 12.
What is the difference between the clubs?
Junior Climbing Club is the weekly coached club, 5 to 7, 8 to 12 and 13 to 17 groups, £13 a session for the younger two and £16 for the oldest. Junior Academy is for young climbers who want to compete, by invitation, £16 a session.
When can my teenager climb without me?
From 14, once they have been signed off. They climb with a coach who checks they know the rules and can look after themselves, and after that they can come on their own.
Can children come?
Yes. Climbing Tots is for 2 to 5 year olds, 4 to 13 year olds climb supervised by an adult, and 14 to 17 year olds can be signed off to climb on their own. There is a junior club too if they catch the bug.
Is there parking?
Yes, free on site. Please register your car on the tablet by the front desk when you arrive. It only takes a moment and it saves you a fine.
Bring them over from Hedge End.
First time? Book an induction and we will show you all how it works.