Climbing FAQs: Everything people ask us, answered.
If the answer is not here, ring us. We would much rather answer a question than have somebody not turn up.
Your first visit
The things people ask before they have set foot in the place.
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.
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.
Am I too old or unfit for this?
No. Bouldering is problem solving as much as it is strength, and you climb at whatever height you are happy at. We have regulars in their seventies and people who came in having done no exercise for a decade. Older and Boulder on Tuesday and Thursday mornings is a gentle way in.
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.
Do I need my own climbing shoes?
No. We hire climbing shoes in every size for £3.50, and hire is free with any membership. On an induction they are included.
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.
What is bouldering?
Climbing without ropes, on walls that are not too high, over deep padded matting. No harness, no belaying, no partner needed. That is why it is the easiest form of climbing to start on your own.
What happens in an induction?
Twenty five minutes with a coach. They show you how to fall and land safely, how the grades work, where to start and what not to do. The session you climb afterwards is included, so you can stay as long as you like.
Can I come on my own?
Most people do. You do not need a partner for bouldering, and it is normal to end up chatting to whoever is working the same problem. If you would rather arrive with a plan, come to a social.
Do I need to be strong?
No. The easiest problems are big holds and big footholds, and they are there to be walked up. Strength comes from climbing, not before it. Technique and reading the wall get you further than pull-ups.
What if I am scared of heights?
Plenty of our regulars are. The walls are low, the matting is deep, and you never have to go higher than you want to. Tell the coach on your induction and they will keep you low until you are ready.
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.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes. We are very much dog friendly, and we love it when people bring their dogs.
New to climbing
If you have never touched a wall.
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.
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.
Am I too old or unfit for this?
No. Bouldering is problem solving as much as it is strength, and you climb at whatever height you are happy at. We have regulars in their seventies and people who came in having done no exercise for a decade. Older and Boulder on Tuesday and Thursday mornings is a gentle way in.
What is bouldering?
Climbing without ropes, on walls that are not too high, over deep padded matting. No harness, no belaying, no partner needed. That is why it is the easiest form of climbing to start on your own.
What happens in an induction?
Twenty five minutes with a coach. They show you how to fall and land safely, how the grades work, where to start and what not to do. The session you climb afterwards is included, so you can stay as long as you like.
Can I come on my own?
Most people do. You do not need a partner for bouldering, and it is normal to end up chatting to whoever is working the same problem. If you would rather arrive with a plan, come to a social.
Do I need to be strong?
No. The easiest problems are big holds and big footholds, and they are there to be walked up. Strength comes from climbing, not before it. Technique and reading the wall get you further than pull-ups.
What if I am scared of heights?
Plenty of our regulars are. The walls are low, the matting is deep, and you never have to go higher than you want to. Tell the coach on your induction and they will keep you low until you are ready.
How do the grades work?
The colour of the holds only shows which holds belong to a climb. How hard it is is shown by the shape on the tag where the climb starts: the more sides the shape has, the harder the climb. We do not put V grades on our climbs.
What happens at a social?
You turn up on your own and leave with people to climb with. A coach is on the floor, there is no pressure and nobody is watching you. We run beginner socials, a women, trans and non-binary night, and an LGBTQ+ night.
If you already climb
Resets, membership and the training area.
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.
Is there a joining fee?
No joining fee and no contract. Memberships are monthly and you can cancel whenever you need to. If you are not sure yet, a day ticket or a punch card is a sensible place to start.
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.
How often do the problems change?
A different wall is stripped and reset every Friday, so there is something new every week and the whole gym turns over across the cycle.
What is the ICWC benefit?
We are a founding member of the Independent Climbing Wall Collective. Members get free visits to other independent walls in the collective, which is very handy if you travel.
What counts as off-peak?
Weekdays 10:00 to 16:00. Everything else is peak. If you are on an off-peak ticket or membership and want to stay into the evening, there is a £3.50 peak upgrade at the desk.
Is there a training area?
Yes. Weights, racks, rings, a board and space to warm up properly, all next to the walls. It is included with climbing memberships, and there is a gym only membership at £9.95 a month if that is all you want.
Can I freeze my membership?
Yes, and it is free. Injuries and long trips happen. Talk to the desk or email us and we will pause it.
How do the grades work?
The colour of the holds only shows which holds belong to a climb. How hard it is is shown by the shape on the tag where the climb starts: the more sides the shape has, the harder the climb. We do not put V grades on our climbs.
Kids and families
Ages, supervision, clubs and parties.
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.
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.
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.
Do I have to climb too?
No, but you do have to be there and watching. You do not need any experience yourself. One adult can supervise two children aged 6 to 17, or one child aged 4 or 5, and there is a short briefing the first time.
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 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.
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.
Classes and fitness
Yoga, Pilates, strength and the socials.
Am I too old or unfit for this?
No. Bouldering is problem solving as much as it is strength, and you climb at whatever height you are happy at. We have regulars in their seventies and people who came in having done no exercise for a decade. Older and Boulder on Tuesday and Thursday mornings is a gentle way in.
Can I come on my own?
Most people do. You do not need a partner for bouldering, and it is normal to end up chatting to whoever is working the same problem. If you would rather arrive with a plan, come to a social.
Is there a training area?
Yes. Weights, racks, rings, a board and space to warm up properly, all next to the walls. It is included with climbing memberships, and there is a gym only membership at £9.95 a month if that is all you want.
Are classes included in my membership?
They are on Climbing and Classes, £63 a month. On a climbing only membership you can add classes for £8 a month. Classes without climbing are £25 a month.
Are the classes for climbers only?
No. Yoga, Pilates and the strength classes are open to anybody, and plenty of people come for those and never touch the wall. They are aimed at climbers, which mostly means shoulders, hips and grip get some attention.
Do I need to book a class?
Yes, spaces are limited. Book through the same system you book climbing with. Classes are 45 minutes to an hour, mostly on weekday evenings and Saturday mornings.
What happens at a social?
You turn up on your own and leave with people to climb with. A coach is on the floor, there is no pressure and nobody is watching you. We run beginner socials, a women, trans and non-binary night, and an LGBTQ+ night.
Prices and money
Concessions, discounts, gift cards and freezing.
Is there a joining fee?
No joining fee and no contract. Memberships are monthly and you can cancel whenever you need to. If you are not sure yet, a day ticket or a punch card is a sensible place to start.
Do I need my own climbing shoes?
No. We hire climbing shoes in every size for £3.50, and hire is free with any membership. On an induction they are included.
What is the ICWC benefit?
We are a founding member of the Independent Climbing Wall Collective. Members get free visits to other independent walls in the collective, which is very handy if you travel.
What counts as off-peak?
Weekdays 10:00 to 16:00. Everything else is peak. If you are on an off-peak ticket or membership and want to stay into the evening, there is a £3.50 peak upgrade at the desk.
Can I freeze my membership?
Yes, and it is free. Injuries and long trips happen. Talk to the desk or email us and we will pause it.
Are classes included in my membership?
They are on Climbing and Classes, £63 a month. On a climbing only membership you can add classes for £8 a month. Classes without climbing are £25 a month.
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.
Is there an NHS or blue light discount?
Yes, 10% off adult entry prices for NHS, blue light and armed services. Bring your ID.
Do you sell gift cards?
We do, for any amount, and they can be spent on entry, membership, coaching or in the café. They are bought through the booking system.
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.
The building
Café, showers, parking and what not-for-profit means.
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.
How often do the problems change?
A different wall is stripped and reset every Friday, so there is something new every week and the whole gym turns over across the cycle.
Is there a training area?
Yes. Weights, racks, rings, a board and space to warm up properly, all next to the walls. It is included with climbing memberships, and there is a gym only membership at £9.95 a month if that is all you want.
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.
Is there food?
Yes, a proper café, not a vending machine. Coffee, cake, hot food and somewhere to sit whether you are climbing or waiting for somebody who is. Members get 10% off.
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.
What does not-for-profit actually mean here?
It means every pound that comes through the door goes back into the wall, the team and the community. We have always run this way; since November 2025 it has been formal.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes. We are very much dog friendly, and we love it when people bring their dogs.
Still stuck? Ring 02380 171 808 or email team@bouldershack.co.uk. There is also a whole page about your first visit.