Previously known as the Welsh International Climbing Centre, the Summit Centre is where I learnt to…read moreclimb, and it is a really friendly and well-designed bouldering and climbing facility. It's located about half an hour's drive from Cardiff in The Parc Taff Bargoed area, and the climbing wall features 400+ routes over an impressive 20,000 square feet of surface. There are 8 metre overhangs, Grades between 4a and 9a, both top roped routes (better for beginners) and lead routes (for more advanced), a self-belay device (enabling people to climb without a partner), smaller children's walls, and a dedicated bouldering room. The instructors I've learnt with have been really encouraging, friendly and good fun. All the staff there seem to love their jobs, too. The centre also offers 3-star bunkhouse accommodation for groups (although living in Cardiff I've never stayed overnight) and offers other adventure pursuits both on site and in the surrounding countryside - including gorge walking, kayaking, high ropes, canyoning, abseiling and caving.

Absolutely brilliant place. Only just started and can't believe how much stronger I feel. Did the…read morethree week course on climbing techniques and the staff member, Ollie, was great. Looking to do this three times a week now (never done this with any other form of exercise!!). Won't be looking to go anywhere else that is for sure

From the owner: The Climbing Academy offers state of the art indoor bouldering in Bristol. We provide everyone the…read moreopportunity to take up bouldering or progress their climbing to new levels in a welcoming relaxing atmosphere. The centre has a shop, showers, changing areas, lockers, courses, competitions and, of course, a great cafe.

I went for the first time with my eldest for a birthday party. It is a huge climbing place situated…read morein one of the old warehouses and is like a tardis when you step inside. There is a small bar with plenty of seating and serves a good range of both food and drink, you then walk on upstairs to where the main climbing centre is. The staff are friendly and professional and certainly focus on the safety aspect of the sport, there is a huge area for climbing and abseiling and also the boulder room where you can just free climb with deep cushions to land on should you slip. The party itself was well run and the instructors kept the kids entertained in between taking turns in climbing. The food was normal kids party food but was tasty and soon demolished. I would certainly keep this place in mind not just for a kids party but for a new activity to take up myself - all in all a very enjoyable visit.

An old church might seem like an odd place to have a climbing wall but it actually works…read moresurprisingly well. The high walls are perfect, with climbs in excess of thirty feet. The view when you get to the top is amazing as well; you literally get a totally different perspective on the building. Plus, it doesn't have that hot sweaty feeling that some climbing walls have - all the space means you can breathe a little better. All the space means the sound gets soaked up a bit too - sometimes gyms can sound like factories with all the machines going, but this place certainly doesn't. Usually the only sounds that will interrupt your thoughts are the echoes of whatever the receptionist has decided to put on the sound system. As well as conventional climbing walls there's a large bouldering area, with soft crash mats that have caught my body on the many occasions that my fingers have decided to give out. The atmosphere's great though, and nobody judges you if your new or just a bit crap like me. If you do want to improve they have excellent instructors on hand, who are very patient (they get a lot of school groups in here so they have plenty of practice. Bristol Climbing Centre is unique, a great place to learn to climb, and a wonderful environment to do it in.

it just never ceases to amaze me the wealth of exiting and slightly unusual things to do in and…read morearound Bristol. Set within an old church, god knows how much effort must have been put in to convert the building to a climbing centre, the South West's biggest Climbing centre - if you didn't know! There are all sorts of levels of walls and sessions available to accommodate for the real beginner (which is where I was) and the more experiences climber. 12 meters doesn't sound very high until you get half way up it and feel like you might be able to reach the clouds with your next step up! They run things like Easter courses so great for kids but also for adults.

Channel View is the Council owned Leisure Centre for Cardiff Way and there are a few things I…read morereally like about it. There's no swimming pool but its got all the other expected things like a gym with fitness classes, and various indoor courts for badminton and football. It also has a climbing wall and does loads of sessions for kids. Unusually there is also a music room, IT facility and cyber cafe. I like that they have women only gym periods because we can all feel a bit self conscious sometime and one of my favourite aspects it the outdoor gym they have, free and perfect for sunny days. Its basically quite simple obstacles that can add a bit of a variety to your jogging!

MANAGER SWEARS AT CUSTOMERS IN FRONT OF CHILDREN…read more After being told to go f-word myself I will not be returning to Channel View. On a previous day I'd left a rather sentimental item at the centre and after ringing up four times I was told they had found it. Upon arriving I asked the receptionist if she had it and was directed to a different office. In the corridor I was confronted by the manager who seemed to want to help at first but then for some reason grew furious when I told him what I was looking for. After five minutes of being angrily questioned I tried to walk away. He then shouted to me that he was the manager and that I should ''Go f**k yourself!". I was shocked. There was a children's play class next door and afterward some parents told me they could hear it. A very upsetting experience. Please think twice before giving these people your money to look after your children.