Stoke Newington, North London
Where: Green Lanes, Stoke Newington, London N4 2HA
Session price:£16.50 or £11.50 for concessions
Built within a dramatic, grade II listed Victorian water pumping station, The Castle is one of the largest climbing centres in London, with a bouldering wall as equally impressive as its turreted towers. From sweeping overhangs to a catacomb pockmarked with technical holds, this wall in Stoke Newington has more than enough to keep beginners and advanced climbers alike occupied. There’s even a series of outdoor walls to keep things interesting throughout the summer. castle-climbing.co.uk
Anglesey, North Wales
Where: Indefatigable, Plas Llanfair, Llanfairpwllgwyngyll LL61 6NT
Session price:£12 or £10 concession/off-peak (10am-4pm, weekdays, October-April inclusive)
With its iconic freestanding buttress, the Indy Climbing Wall is a haven for boulderers looking to test their skills across bulging, arching walls more akin to outdoor boulders than regular indoor problems. A Welsh collective of crack route setters are constantly updating the Indy’s walls with fresh problems for all abilities, though their well-stocked climbing shop is just as big a draw. indyclimbingwall.co.uk
North West London
Where: Neptune Trading Estate 2YE, Neptune Rd, Harrow HA1 4HX
Session price: £16, £11.50 off-peak or £7 super off-peak. Discounts for concessions
One of a group of eight climbing centres across London, HarroWall boasts a huge array of bouldering walls and problems, but it’s not their only focus. With belay lines, a huge caving facility and dedicated strength and conditioning area, HarroWall is far more than a bouldering gym. The North London facility measures in at 40,000 sq ft and runs a series of workshops and coaching sessions for all abilities, too. harrowall.co.uk
Swindon
Where: The I.O Centre, Radway Road, Swindon SN3 4WH
Session price: £14 or £12 for concessions (£10 for under 18s)
A huge facility in Swindon, Rockstar Climbing features bouldering walls of up to 4.5m and runs a huge variety of classes and workshops, from yoga for climbers to strength and conditioning sessions. With a friendly and inclusive environment, the gym is well suited to beginner climbers looking for some friendly and supportive guidance. rockstarclimbing.co.uk
Sheffield
Where: Unit B2, Centenary Works, 150 Little London Rd, Sheffield S8 0UJ
Session price: £10.50 weekends or £9.50 midweek (before 4pm), discounts for concessions, over 60s and under 14s
This cathedral of climbing in Sheffield was once the largest bouldering centre in the UK, and it remains an important facility in the British bouldering community. It was the first centre to be recognised as a National Performance Centre by the BMC. Encompassing two buildings, the walls themselves are world class with technical routes set by a collective of expert climbers and route setters. Basically, exactly what you’d expect from Shauna Coxsey’s local wall. climbingworks.com
Southampton
Where: Unit 4, Imperial Park, Empress Rd, Southampton SO14 0JW
Session price: £12 or £9.50 off-peak, discounts for concessions and under 16s
Two things basically dictate how great a bouldering wall is: the quality of the route setting and the all-round atmosphere. Boulder Shack delivers on both fronts, with a super-friendly vibe and a superb range of regularly updated problems, all set within over 12,000 sq.ft of climbing. The centre also runs weekly coaching, yoga and fitness classes alongside an excellent cafe and a well-stocked shop. bouldershack.co.uk
Bermondsey, South London
Where: Building One, Drummond Rd, Bermondsey, London SE16 4DG
Session price: £14.50 or £11 off-peak, discounts for concessions and under 18s
The Arch has now grown from its original home in Bermondsey to encompass four separate bouldering gyms across London. This is one of the most innovative climbing collectives in the country. Not only are the walls themselves technically challenging, their range of classes and workshops covers bouldering, handstands, yoga, Ninja Warrior skills, competitions and more. archclimbingwall.com
Bristol
Where: 2 New Gatton Rd, Easton, Bristol BS2 9SH
Session price: £13 or £11 off-peak, discounts for concessions and under 17s
In the centre of Bristol, Bloc has made a name for itself as one of the best bouldering gyms in the area thanks to its 4.5m competition wall and nearly 13,000 sq ft of climbing walls. With a large cafe area, complete with pizza oven, that opens straight onto the matted floors, this is an inclusive and relaxed centre with some suitably technical problems to provide a challenge. blocclimbing.co.uk
Manchester
Where: Unit N1/N2, Mosley Road, Central Park Estate, Trafford Park M17 1PG
Session price: £13.50 for non-members, discounts for members, concessions and under 18s (cashless payments only)
Depot Climbing proved a big hit among local boulderers when it opened back in January 2016. The centre is one of a network of gyms throughout the North of England. The Manchester Depot has over 10,000 sq ft of climbing, with 10 circuits graded V0 to V11+ that are reset weekly. There are also dedicated training areas, a beginner's area, a shop and cafe. The vibe is friendly, staff are approachable and regular comps and leagues have fostered a good sense of climbing community. depotclimbing.co.uk/manchester
Ratho, Edinburgh
Where: South Platt Hill, Newbridge EH28 8AA
Session price: £14.50 or £10.99 for bouldering only, discounts for concessions and juniors (cashless payment only)
With hundreds of climbing routes available, this Scottish climbing centre is a haven for boulderers from across the UK. Its gigantic central chamber, with roped climbing routes stretching up each wall, has rocks for bouldering in the centre, with a separate bouldering room available too. The centre also boasts strength and conditioning facilities, a judo studio, cafe and expansive shop, too. edinburghleisure.co.uk
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