21 top places to go rock climbing with kids in the UK

If your kids loves to climb, see if there's a Clip 'n Climb centre near you – you won't be disappointed. The New Zealand brand now has more than 30 centres around the UK (and a whopping 350 worldwide), instantly recognisable from their quirky, colourful climbing walls. Suitable for ages 2 and up; Clip 'n Climb offers a brilliant introduction to climbing for kids. Look out for the Mini Mountaineers Toddlers Sessions; it's a great idea for a kids' party too.
Where: there are more than 30 Clip 'n Climb locations around the UK

At Climbing Hangar centres, little monkeys can literally climb the walls... which is a lot better than having them climb yours at home! Try bouldering at a Climbing Hangar near you, and you'll find a sport that is fun for the whole family to try together. Bouldering builds problem-solving skills, friendships, body strength, confidence and more. You can start climbing at a Climbing Hangar from the age of 4.
Where: There are Climbing Hangar centres in Exeter, Liverpool, London, Plymouth, Reading, Sheffield and Swansea

Rock Up Centres offer a brilliant introduction to indoor climbing for kids. Sample a range of individual and multi-climber wall challenges, plus rope courses of varying design and difficulty, all created to test your agility, courage and problem solving in different ways. Look out for Toddler Climb and Play Sessions dedicated to little climbers up to 5 years of age. And best of all, every Rock Up centre has a Soft Play area: perfect for younger siblings who aren't ready for climbing walls just yet.
Where: there are around 7 Rock Up centres in the UK

Whether you’re looking for a special day out with the kids, a new hobby to try together, an after school activity, or a way to keep your children occupied over the school holidays – climbing at Depot Climbing is a great option! There are 6 climbing centres across 5 cities around the Midlands and North West of England, all of which offer Kids Clubs, NICAS (the National Indoor Climbing Award Scheme), school holiday sessions and more.
Where: There are Depot Climbing centres in Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, Nottingham and Birmingham

The Spider Climbing Centres around the UK offer kids the chance to try with a one-off session, just drop in for a climb, or sign up for a termly club running from January-March, April-July and September-December. They have group lessons for kids aged 5+, just for fun or to learn more about climbing.
Where: there are Spider Climbing Centres in London, Guildford, Sutton, Solent and Hereford

Get your London kids into climbing, promoting agility, balance and coordination, at one of the 8 London Climbing Centres in the capital. There's a range of kids courses on offer at all eight London Climbing Centres, including National Indoor Climbing Award Scheme (NICAS) sessions. NICAS sessions are aimed at children aged between 7 and 11, and 11+.
Where: there are London Climbing Centres at Vauxhall West, Euston, Harrow, Kennington, Canary Wharf, Bethnal Green and more

Climbing is a playful, enriching activity for children of all ages, and at The Arch Climbing Walls in London, staff want to help the next generation of climbers discover the sport in a safe and friendly environment. There are clubs for 4-8s, 9-12s and kids who are 12+.
Where: There are kid-friendly Arch Climbing Walls in Burnt Oak, Acton and Surrey Quays

The Castle Climbing Centre is the UK's largest climbing centre, housed inside a repurposed Victorian pumping station. The Castle offers roped and bouldering facilities with 450 routes and 90 roped lines. There's a range of courses and activities for young people ranging from one-off taster sessions, a climbing club following the nationally recognised award scheme, to a high-achieving competition squad. The lower age limit is 7 years old.
Where: The Castle Climbing Centre, Green Lanes, London N4 2HA

Sessions for kids at the Mile End Climbing Wall are full of climbing activities and games led by friendly, highly qualified instructors. Your kids will get to try ropes, or bouldering, or sometimes both in the same session! Perfect for ages 7-17 who want to climb without joining a longer structured course. Grown-ups can relax on-site while the kids climb – there's coffee, snacks and seating both inside and out.
Where: Mile End Climbing Wall, Haverfield Road, London E3 5BE

The Reach Climbing Wall in south London offers around 50 lead climbs, plus 650 square metres of bouldering surface and a 4-metre-high boulder. There are fun taster climbing sessions for 7-17 year olds, aimed at complete beginners, that last 90mins and include all the equipment you'll need. Your kids can also take termly lessons towards The National Indoor Climbing Award Scheme (NICAS), a nationally recognised award scheme designed to develop young climbers.
Where: The Reach Climbing Wall, Unit 6, Mellish Industrial Estate, Harrington Way, London SE18 5NR

Not only is it London's biggest climbing venue, Westway Climbing Centre is also one of the UK's biggest and best indoor climbing walls. There’s something for all climbers, regardless of age or experience – young and old, new to the sport or more experienced. There are more than 350 routes on 110 roped lines up to a height of 13.5m on the climbing walls, as well as over 450sqm of bouldering.
Where: Westway Climbing, 1 Crowthorne Road, London W10 6RP

Big Rock Bond offers the very latest in climbing wall design in Milton Keynes and provides one of the UK's best indoor climbing experiences. Big Rock Hub offers climbing for all abilities, in addition to acting as an instructing hub, with courses for both adults and young climbers from the age of 5, starter sessions for anyone new to the sport, and birthday parties.
Where: Big Rock Hub, Mandeville Drive, Kingston, Milton Keynes MK10 0AG

There are 3 centres on one site at Climbing Works in Sheffield. The Climbing Works is the original dedicated bouldering wall for climbers who like good boulders, good music and good company. The Mini Works is a centre for young people and families, including parents who don't climb but want to supervise their children. Look out for the birthday party options at the Mini Works, too.
Where: The Climbing Works, Unit B2, Centenary Works, 150 Little London Road, Sheffield S8 0UJ

The Climbing Unit boasts more than 1100 square metres of climbing, including both bouldering and roped climbing, training area and circuit wall. Their kids club lessons are open to members aged between 5 and 16. The sessions for 5 to 8 years are 1-hour long and focus on building confidence and having fun on both the roped climbing wall and the bouldering walls. The sessions for 9-16 years are based around NICAS and NIBAS levels with the aim being to develop independent, competent climbers.
Where: The Climbing Unit, Masons Place Business Park, Chaddesden, Derby DE21 6YZ

The Climbing Academy offers state of the art indoor climbing centres in Glasgow, Bristol and Chippenham. The Mothership, The Newsroom, The Prop Store and The Arch all offer Tiny Academy classes; that's climbing for kids between 0 and 4, as well as summer holiday sessions, and courses for older kids.
Where: The Climbing Academy has venues in Bristol, Glasgow and Chippenham

Redpoint Climbing Centre is climbing wall with a friendly atmosphere in the heart of Birmingham. The Rock Monkey climbing clubs at Redpoint are really popular with kids aged between 5 and 17. With the help of our instructors your child’s movement, balance, co-ordination, strength and confidence will improve. Redpoint also offer birthday parties and holiday clubs.
Where: Redpoint Birmingham Climbing Centre, 77 Cecil Street, Birmingham B19 3ST

Activities for kids at The Warehouse Climbing & Caving Centre in Gloucester begin with Wild Climbers and Mini-Mice Toddler sessions. Catch the climbing bug at this tender age, then there are various courses and sessions to encourage your kids' love of the sport well into their teens. You can book a birthday party at The Warehouse Climbing Centre; this centre also offers summer camps.
Where: The Warehouse Climbing & Caving Centre, Parliament Street, Gloucester GL1 1HY

Edinburgh International Climbing Arena is a climbing centre built into quarry walls, with an aerial assault course and a bouldering room. Kids will love the Clip n Climb centre within the EICA; little kids can burn off some energy at the Scrambles Soft Play area.
Where: Edinburgh International Climbing Arena, South Platt Hill, Newbridge EH28 8AA

Kids tasters at The Indy Climbing Wall in Anglesey are the perfect rainy day activity! Book, and you'll get an action-packed hour-and-a-half with an instructor. It's a great way to try out a new activity. Caught the climbing bug? Then your kids can progress onto courses for 7 to 11 year olds; or older kids aged 11+. The Indy Climbing Wall offers the National Indoor Climbing Award Scheme (NICAS) for kids.
Where: The Indy Climbing Wall, Indefatigable, Plas Llanfair, Llanfairpwllgwyngyll LL61 6NT

Choose from fun, game-filled sessions for Caterpillars (ages 5-7), Funky Gibbons (ages 7-11) or Youth Climbing Sessions (12-26) at The Boardroom in Queenferry. Kids at this centre can also enjoy progressive climbing development courses using the National Indoor Climbing Award Scheme (NICAS) and the National Indoor Bouldering Award Scheme (NIBAS). And they offer birthday parties too!
Where: The Boardroom Climbing, Rectors Lane, Pentre, Queensferry, North Wales CH5 2DH

There's a second Boardroom Climbing centre in Wimbledon, London.

At Boulderworld there are various kids classes to suit all ability levels, from complete beginners to national competitors. First time climbing? Try a taster session, but bear in mind that all under-12s need to be accompanied by an adult … the adult does not need to climb but will attend the duration of the taster session to learn how to safely supervise while in the centre. Some under-18 tasters and summer camps are fully supervised and designed to be a ‘drop off’ session.
Where: Boulder World Belfast, Unit 1, Boucher Business Centre, Apollo Road, Belfast BT12 6HP