Bouldering and climbing in general has seen an explosion of interest in recent years, and with climbing gyms popping up all around the country we thought we would share with you our list of the best bouldering gyms across the UK. All of these are perfect for those completely new to the sport, or seasoned experts looking to find a new place to train. If you are new to bouldering, why not check out our How to Get into Bouldering, and Bouldering Essentials articles to get a rundown of some tips and tricks and all the gear you will need.
Stoke Newington, North London
Green Lanes, Stoke Newington, London N4 2HA
£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
Swindon
The I.O Centre, Radway Road, Swindon SN3 4WH
£15, concessions £12.50
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
Unit B2, Centenary Works, 150 Little London Rd, Sheffield S8 0UJ
£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
Unit 4, Imperial Park, Empress Rd, Southampton SO14 0JW
£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
Building One, Drummond Rd, Bermondsey, London SE16 4DG
£15, single entry concession £12.50
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
Mead St, Bristol BS3 4RP
£16, concessions £14
Located a short walk from Temple Meads, Flashpoint is one of Bristol's top bouldering gyms. Featuring a recently expanded and renovated gym area, the whole centre is now a top notch training facility. The offering at Flashpoint includes beginner friendly VB problems, all the way up to World Cup level routes so there really is something for everyone. To top it off, they’ve also got an on-site café that serves food and drinks to keep you fed and watered all day long. flashpointbristol.com
Manchester
Unit N1/N2, Mosley Road, Central Park Estate, Trafford Park M17 1PG
£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
South Platt Hill, Newbridge EH28 8AA
£15.25 pay as you go, 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
