Kids' climbing in Southampton: From wobbly two year olds to teenagers who out-climb you.
Children can climb here from the age of 2. Find their age below and you will know what to book.
By age
What they can do, and from when.
- Ages 2 to 5: Climbing TotsA coached session for very small climbers, with a grown up alongside them the whole time.About Tots
- Ages 4 to 17: climbing with an adultAny time we are open. You supervise, they climb, and you do not have to climb yourself.How it works
- Ages 5 to 17: Junior Climbing ClubA weekly club in three age groups, with the same coaches and the same friends every week.About the clubs
- Ages 14 to 17: on their ownOnce a coach has signed them off, 14 to 17 year olds can climb here without a parent.About the sign-off
- Birthday partiesWe run the climbing, you bring the cake. For ages 5 and up.About parties
- Schools and youth groupsCoached sessions for schools, scouts and youth clubs, with NICAS awards up to Level 5.About groups
Before you book
Check how many one adult can bring.
Children from 4 can climb whenever we are open, as long as an adult is supervising. That adult needs an induction too, unless they already climb regularly.
1 to 1
Aged 4 and 5. One adult for each child, no exceptions.
1 to 2
Aged 6 to 17. One adult for two climbers. Bringing three? You will need a second adult.
Under 4
The youngest age to climb is 4. Climbing Tots is the session for 2 to 5 year olds, with a grown up alongside.
For the grown ups
What it is like for you.
You do not need to climb yourself
From age 4 a child climbs with an adult supervising. You need to be there and watching, not to be any good.
It builds more than arms
Every problem is a puzzle they have to solve by trying, falling off and trying again. That is the bit that sticks.
Somewhere for you to sit
The café looks out over the walls, so you can watch with a coffee rather than standing on the mats for an hour.
The timetable
When Tots and the clubs run.
Straight from the booking system, so it is what is genuinely running. The clubs run in term time.
Monday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
For the ones who catch the bug
From the club to the squad.
Young climbers who want more can move up from the clubs to the Junior Academy and the squad, and compete. Every year we host a round of the BMC Youth Climbing Series, so they get national level competition on their own wall.
Some of them have grown up here and now work with us.
Prices
What it costs.
The prices a family needs. Everything else is on the prices page.
| What | Price |
|---|---|
| Climbing Tots (2 to 5 years), Per child45 min instructor led. Wed and Fri 10:30 to 11:15. Parent or carer stays as spotter. Extra sessions in school holidays. | £8.50per session |
| Day pass, Junior (under 18)Peak | £11per day |
| Day pass, Junior (under 18)Off-peak | £9.50per day |
| Induction (25 min coached class), Child / Concession | £11.50per person |
| Induction (25 min coached class), Non-climber / SupervisorFor an adult who only wants to learn how to supervise novices. | £3.50per person |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Kids birthday party, Up to 12 climbers, booked by phoneThe larger party, for either age group. Booked over the phone, if we can accommodate the date. | £250per party |
The things parents ask us.
How young can they start?
Climbing Tots takes 2 to 5 year olds, with a grown up alongside them the whole session. From 4, children can climb any time we are open as long as a responsible adult is supervising them.
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.
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.
What should I wear?
Anything you can move in. Leggings, shorts, a t-shirt, whatever is comfortable. Climbing shoes are £3.50 to hire, free with any membership, and we have them in every size, so you do not need your own.
Does it cost anything to watch?
No. Spectators and non-climbing visitors are free, and the café is open to anyone whether they are climbing or not.
Bring them for a look.
The easiest start is to come down together. Watching costs nothing, and children from 4 can climb any time we are open with an adult supervising.