Boulder Shack, Southampton: Climbing wall near Winchester.
Boulder Shack is an indoor climbing wall in Southampton, half an hour from Winchester down the M3. It is a bouldering centre: climbing without ropes or harnesses, on low walls over deep mats. You need no experience, and once you are in you can stay all day.
Getting here
From Winchester to our door.
We are at Imperial Park on Empress Road, Southampton SO14 0JW.
By car
About 13 miles down the M3, and around half an hour on an ordinary weekday morning. Parking is free and right outside. Register your car on the tablet by the front desk when you arrive.
By train
Direct trains from Winchester reach Southampton Central in 15 to 20 minutes, and we are about a mile and a half from there. A few trains at the busy ends of the day also stop at St Denys, which is a 15 minute walk from us.
By bus
Bluestar 1 runs from Winchester to Southampton through Otterbourne and Chandlers Ford, every 20 minutes in the daytime from Monday to Saturday. Get off at Stag Gates on The Avenue, and we are about ten to fifteen minutes on foot.
Worth the drive
Come after work and stay until you are done.
We are open until 10.15pm on weekdays, so there is time to drive down after work and still get a proper session. A day pass lasts from open to close, and you can go out and come back in.
A different wall is stripped and set again every Friday, so there is something you have not tried each week. And the café is in the same building, with coffee, cake and hot food for afterwards.
Your first time
Never climbed? Start here.
- 1
Book an induction
It is 25 minutes with a coach, who shows you how to climb and how to come down safely. Book it online before you set off, so the trip is not wasted.
- 2
Stay and climb
The induction includes your climbing for the rest of the day. Wear anything you can move in.
- 3
Come back whenever we are open
After that you need no booking. Turn up, sign in and climb.
What it costs
A visit, and coming often.
Students and concessions pay less. There is no contract and no joining fee on a membership.
| What | Price |
|---|---|
| Induction (25 min coached class), AdultCounts as day entry. Free shoe hire. Stay and climb afterwards. Come back independently forever after. | £16.50per person |
| Day pass, AdultPeakUnlimited access open to close. Can leave and return same day. | £14per day |
| Unlimited Climbing, AdultPeakNo contract, no joining fee. Pro rata for the rest of the first month, then full amount on the 1st. Cancel or freeze any time. | £55per month |
| Unlimited Climbing, ConcessionPeak | £43per month |
| 9 Months Student Climbing, All Times, prepaid, StudentPeakPortal product only. | £295per 9 months |
What people ask before the drive.
Do I need to book?
Not usually. You can walk in and climb, though weekday evenings get busy. If you have never climbed before, book an induction so somebody can show you round properly. It takes 25 minutes and costs £16.50.
When is it quietest?
Weekdays between 10:00 and 16:00 are off-peak, when it is quieter and entry costs less. Weekday evenings are the busiest.
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.
Who gets a concession rate?
Students with valid ID, over 65s, people on DSS, registered disabled climbers and carers. Ask at the desk, we do not make it awkward.
Are there showers and lockers?
Yes, showers and changing rooms on site, which is handy if you are coming straight from work. Bags go in the lockers or on the shelves, not on the mats.
See you down the M3.
New to it? Book an induction. Climbed before? Fill in the waiver online and turn up.