LEARN TO CLIMB (BETTER!)
One of our aims is to provide everyone with the opportunity to get the highest level of support they need to develop their climbing skills while fostering a positive and encouraging environment. Whether a beginner or an experienced climber, we help individuals progress at their own pace, ensuring that each step of the climbing journey is an experience filled with learning, growth and hopefully, lots and lots of fun.
If you’re a wet-behind-the-ears novice and want to learn the fundamentals, have some moderate experience and are looking to take things further, or are a competent climber that wants to push themselves to an even greater levels, we have a number of courses designed to specifically people gain knowledge and develop your climbing skills. Whichever course you opt for, our expert instructors will take great care of you, while improving your skills and techniques.
As part of all our adult courses, you get free access to bouldering for the duration of your course, which means you can practice and build skills as often as you like. Shoe hire and all kit and safety equipment is also included with all courses.
BOULDERING WORKSHOPS
BOULDER WORKSHOPS
BOULDER WORKSHOPS – Learn to boulder better
Weekly bouldering workshops designed to help build confidence, improve your climbing and develop essential skills in a fun and supportive environment.
These sessions are for over 16’s that are completely new to climbing, or beginners looking to improve their techniques. Suitable for individuals or groups of up to six people.
Over the course of four engaging workshops, you’ll be introduced to key elements of bouldering – from the fundamentals to progressive climbing techniques and effective body movement.
Each 90-minute session focuses on a different aspect of bouldering, allowing you to choose the sessions that suit your needs and experience level. The workshops run on a rolling schedule – so if you can’t make it one particular week, the same topic will be available again the following month.
The schedule of topics covered in respective weeks are as follows:
| WK 1 – Movement principles | WK 3 – Route reading |
| WK 2 – Refining movement and economy | WK 4 – Maximising sessions for improvement |
Whether you book in for one or take part in all four sessions, by the end of our workshops, you’ll have improved and developed the skills to tackle bouldering problems confidently and enjoy the rewarding challenge of climbing.
CLIMBING COURSES
AUTOBELAY INDUCTION
AUTO BELAY INDUCTION – Get off the ground and climbing the walls
An Auto Belay Induction gets you off the ground, on the walls and gives you a thorough understanding of climbing auto belays in a safe and correct manner.
Whether completely new to climbing, or an experienced boulderer keen to climb some higher walls and have some fun on auto belays, our instructors will show you the ropes and all kit and equipment comes included. For individuals or groups of up to four people. Over 18’s only.
The Induction consists of two sessions over two separate days – an initial 30-minute training session and then a short follow-up assessment the next time you come in. After each session you are free to stay and climb for as long as you like – either continuing on the auto belay walls, or on our bouldering walls.
Once the Induction is complete and you’re signed off, you can come back and climb our auto belays without supervision.
LEARN TO ROPE CLIMB
LEARN TO ROPE CLIMB – Get to grips with roped climbing
This course is the perfect starting point for anyone eager to experience the thrill of roped climbing. Whether you’re new to roped climbing or looking to build your skills, this hands-on four-week course will teach you everything you need to know to top rope climb safely and confidently.
Top rope climbing is a beginner-friendly style of climbing where the rope runs from the climber’s harness up to an anchor at the top of the wall and then back down to a belayer on the ground. This creates a continual loop to protect the person climbing in case they fall.
In this accessible course, you’ll learn essential climbing techniques, from mastering belaying and using climbing gear to tying the perfect figure of eight. Over four engaging weeks our expert instructors will comprehensively guide you through the understanding the essentials of harnesses, ropes, knots and equipment as well as managing the safety of yourself and your climbing partners.
By the end of the course, you’ll be able to top rope climb on your own and get to grips with a variety of indoor climbing challenges.
Please note the course includes instruction on catching falling climbers and trusting the system. This will be progressively completed throughout the course. Let us know if you have any apprehensions over climbing or falling and we may be able to adjust the activities to meet your needs.
LEARN TO LEAD CLIMB
LEARN TO LEAD CLIMB – Take your climbing to the next level
If you’re proficient with top-rope climbing and ready to challenge yourself, this course will teach you the skills and techniques needed to safely lead climb.
Lead climbing is a more advanced style of climbing compared to top rope as it requires climbers to be responsible for their own safety. The climber wears a harness attached to a rope and then clips the rope into periodic anchors which are placed up the wall. Lead climbing requires higher levels of physical and mental skills as climbers need to navigate both the route as well as handle the increased psychologic, strategic and safety aspects involved with this type of climbing.
Our expert instructors will walk you through everything from proper rope management to advanced climbing strategies, all while prioritising safety and building your confidence on the wall. Over four weeks you’ll learn how to master the skills for clipping, rope management, lead belaying, risk management, route reading and more. You’ll need to be top roping f5c and above.
By the end of this four-week course, you’ll be fully prepared to lead climb independently, and experience the thrill of leading your own climbs!
Please note the course includes instruction on catching falling climbers and trusting the system, this will be completed throughout the course in small progressions. Please inform us at any time before or throughout the course if you have any apprehension over climbing or falling and we can adjust the activities to meet your needs and stop when you want to. We reserve the right to refer for further training if required to lead safely at the end of the course.
We hope to welcome you onto our walls soon, but if you do have any questions about any of our courses, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
FAQs ABOUT CLIMBING
General Rules of Conduct
Pre-Climbing:
- Registration: Climbers must be registered and pay for entry or membership before climbing. Any supervising adults or accompanying guests of climbers must be registered before climbing.
- Safety Briefing: During registration, climbers watch a safety briefing video to understand the risks involved in climbing. By registering, you agree to follow our rules, maintain safety and abide by our terms and conditions.
- Orientation and Induction: First-time visitors will receive a site orientation and safety induction before climbing.
- Wristbands / Tags: Some areas require a wristband or tag to gain access. Whether worn on your wrist, ankle or attached to your harness, it must always be clearly visible.
Behaviour:
- Kindness: Try to be kind. It doesn’t cost anything and it makes the world a better place!
- Respect: Be respectful of the surroundings and our team, other climbers and visitors. We have zero tolerance to any forms of abuse to anyone.
- Guidance: Please take any suggestions or advice from the team with good intention. Safety instructions must be adhered. We reserve the right to speak with you and potentially ask you to leave if we feel your actions are compromising the safety or wellbeing of yourself and/or others.
- Etiquette: Be considerate of other people – we all have our own levels when climbing. No one should feel pressured to do anything they are not comfortable with.
Personal Responsibilities:
- Dangers: Climbing is an inherently risky activity. Climbing beyond your capability is more likely to result in an injury. You climb at your own risk and acknowledge this by registering.
- Warm-Ups: Warming up properly before climbing helps prevent injury. A warm-up should include; a pulse raiser to elevate heart rate (eg. running on the spot); dynamic stretches to engage key muscles groups and then followed by several easy climbs appropriate to your level.
- Help: Any questions or if you need any assistance at any time, please ask a member of the team.
- Noise: Be mindful of others and avoid excessive noise (loud screaming, shouting or playing music). Also be considerate of our neighbours when arriving and leaving the park by keeping noise levels reasonable.
- Waste: Don’t dump everywhere, keep it clean and dispose of any rubbish and litter in bins.
- Tidiness: Clutter creates hazards so help keep things orderly by storing personal belongings in designated areas or lockers and avoid leaving items on the floor and matting.
- Smoking (incl. vaping): Smoking is only permitted in designated areas as signposted. Please ask a member of the team if you are unsure of the areas.
- Food & Drinks: Sealable drinks may be taken into climbing areas but must be stored in designated drinks areas. Hot drinks must be in takeaway style containers with a lid. Keep drinks off the mats. Only water bottles are permitted on mezzanine areas. Please consume food away from the mats (preferably in the café bar or on any of the outside benches around the park). In the café bar please refrain from consuming food not purchased on the premises.
- Alcohol & Drugs: Climbing after consuming alcohol or drugs is prohibited. Supervision of children (under 18’s) after consuming alcohol or drugs is prohibited.
- Headphones (incl. all types): Headphones are not allowed in any roped climbing areas. The use of headphones while bouldering is allowed if they are not noise cancelling headphones and the volume is low enough for you to hear instructions or communications from a member of the team or other climbers.
- Dogs (incl. all animals): Dogs must be kept under control and on a lead at all times. Well behaved pooches are welcome in reception, seated areas of the café bar and all outdoor areas of the park. No dogs are allowed in other areas. Dogs may be tied in numerous locations around the park, however not where they block access or cause issue to passing people. Clean up any mess your dog may make. Please ask reception if you need any help. Assistance dogs are of course allowed in all areas of the park and all buildings.
- Music: We do generally have music in climbing areas and within the café bar. There are times when no music is played, please ask at Reception for details. B1 Bouldering zone will mostly remain music free.
- Clothing & Appearance: Tops must be worn in all indoor areas. Tops may be removed in the outdoors climbing areas. Please change clothing in the changing facilities. Jewellery must either be removed or appropriately covered before climbing. Loose hair must be tied back.
- Shoes: Climbing shoes must be worn whilst climbing. Climbing shoes must not be worn in toilets. Barefoot entry is prohibited in the café bar and the weights area.
Bouldering:
- Safety Matting: Our matting is designed to minimise injury risk, but it does not eliminate it completely.
- Supervision: All under 16’s must be supervised by an adult throughout climbing areas unless they have been assessed by our management and registered for unsupervised climbing.
- Climb Down: Always climb within your capabilities and down climb where possible. Only use a controlled fall or jump where applicable, making sure to land on your feet and bend your knees.
- Safe Climbing: Never climb or walk directly below another climber, paying special attention to overhangs and corners.
- Top-Outs: We do not have top out boulders. Finishes will always be on the last hold. Do not attempt to climb over or use any part of the walls above any of the last holds.
- Chalk: Both powdered and liquid chalk are permitted but please be mindful around using it – a little goes a long way! If you spill chalk anywhere, please let the team know so we can help you clear it up. For anyone sensitive to powdered chalk, our B1 Bouldering area is a liquid chalk only zone.
Weights & Gym Area:
- Rules: The rules and instructions for the safe use of the weights and conditioning area are displayed on entrance to the area. These must be always adhered to.
Setting & Grading
We aim to provide quality problems for all abilities and make climbing enjoyable and accessible for everyone.
We use our own grading system designed to test different elements of climbing strength, skills and techniques.
- Levels (1-6) show the physical intensity, power and strength required.
- Tags reflect how technical the climb is and the amount of skills required.
Specific Compact/Short Reach circuits are shown accordingly.
See our Grading posters for further details.
Chalk
Climbing with Children & Supervision
Shoes, Clothing & Appearance
What about bags & personal belongings?
Food & Drinks
Can I get additional support?
If you need extra assistance in participating around the park please get in Contact with us prior to booking to discuss your requirements.
Do you have parking?
Yes we have ample parking facilities for motorbikes and cars to larger vehicles such as coaches. We also have a bicycle rack if you prefer non-motorised modes of transport!