As a climber in Oxford, I was excited to learn that the university has its own bouldering wall…read more However, 'Iffley', as it is fondly known, is one which you will either love or hate. Unlike most modern walls, which have screw-on or bolted resin holds, Iffley is a brick wall with inserts of what feels like real rock, postioned in numbered tiles along the wall. It's 2-3 metres high, so is for bouldering only, but you need to provide your own mats for safe landing. Only members of the University Mountaineering Club are allowed to use the wall, and they have access to some club mats, but if you're not a member, it's still good fun to go and watch people doing bizarre gymnastic moves on teeny holds. The holds are numbered and there's a guidebook with graded problems, which consist of sequences of numbers. These range from traverses to awkward sit-starts, to dynos and even more inventive moves involving the roof beams and nearby door frames! The holds are rather unusual, including some metal bits and some vital chips in the brickwork. Don't even think of trying to smear, as the wall is polished to death. The place has a great atmosphere if there are a few people down there, and it overlooks the hall where hardy people can be seen waving martial arts sticks around or performing aerial stunts on trampolines. The main problem is that the wall is simply the wall of a corridor, so climbers and other sports centre users can get in each others' way. It can be quite awkward to watch climbers, but there's often a Pilates ball or a pile of gym mats to sit on. A very different experience from climbing at Brookes and well worth a go if you're a member, or a look if you're not. Before you turn your nose up at it, just remember that Johnny Dawes has climbed here.

Had great fun here for my brother's birthday with a couple of mates…read more Small carpark out front and easy check in- though do remember you'll need a little time for this- people who've climbed more often can check in novices and it's good for a range of abilities. I was stupid enough to go still with stupid long nails, so as a little point i'll say maybe don't do that yourselves to make the most of your time £10 for a day pass (I think 8 for members maybe?). There's a little cafe with cake, toasties, hot and cold drinks (soy etc available), basic changing rooms, loos, car park, and they do hold classes too. They provide little chalk bags, and let you get on with it on a range of colour coded courses, downstairs, and the small upstairs. The crash mats are generously deep and squishy, and there are some good challenges to get your fingertips stuck into. It was cold, which is the nature of the building, so i'd advise a hoodie you can take off once you're into it in the winter. I don't know how warm it gets in the summer months.

Very cool place for climbing/bouldering!!! Suitable for…read morestarters novices and experts. Really enjoying every time I am there. Also a good place for a first or second date ;) Very exciting routes which changes monthly I think. You will pay 10 £ for a day pass incl. climbing shoes. Looking forward for my next sessions.

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.

Guildford with 86 rope lines, both lead and top rope, and its extensive bouldering wall is one of…read morethe leading climbing walls in the world. Sutton is the newest and most exciting bouldering wall that we know of, with hundreds or routes with something for everyone, also housing a fantastic caving adventure experience ideally suited for children. So - young or not so young, male or female, big or small, fit or a couch potato - come and enjoy the total thrill of climbing at Craggy Island to get fit and of course, to climb to new heights!

Highly recommend this place. The staff are really really nice and chilled and there's a really fun…read moread friendly atmosphere. The cafe is nice too - they sell a variety of smoothies, paninis, fruit and granola type bars. They sometimes have some hot soup and jacket potatoes too. Great when you've been climbing for a few hours and are hungry. Great for climbers, families and children's birthday parties too. Definitely family friendly. Only down-side is that they aren't too good for parking - you might have to go back to the main road to find a space.

Redpoint climbing center, the super friendly staff, the super yummy cakes/coffee are awesome…read more I am so shocked to see two reviews on here that are less than 5 stars, no disrespect intended but were you guys on drugs or drunk when you climbed there? A very clean and tidy place with great (real graded)routes, the staff are awesome there all great climbers so if you need advice /pointers/help with a climb or whatever they are always more than willing to ablige. Great work guys keep on rockin.

Booked my daughter's 11th birthday party at Redpoint for her and 7 friends - what a fantastic…read moreplace! The kids all loved it (even the ones that were scared of heights). The staff were brilliant - excellent team leaders and confidence builders. I just wish I could've had a go - but my daughter said I'd embarrass her too much! The party was 10 days ago and the kids are still saying it's the best party they've ever been to. I would highly recommend it!

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.

You know when you wake up one morning and you think, 'Today, I want to climb stuff'. Don't deny it;…read morewe've all thought this at some point. I went here with a friend and her son and we had a great time. They kit you out with the appropriate footwear (kids get a helmet - absolute favouritism right there) The instructor was very friendly and patient with us. He showed us the best routes up the wall and was great with my friend's son, who was quite young and understandably a little nervous. One thing about this place that might put people off - it doesn't use harnesses. The walls are about 20 feet at most, methinks, but obviously you only go up as far as you're comfortable with. The floors are padded too, so if you do fall on your arse as I did, you don't hurt anything except your ego. There were loads of people there who are obviously regular members, and some of the guys were really fit. Will definitely go back

I had no idea this place existed - what a find! If you are into climbing (and especially…read morebouldering) and you can get to Sutton then head down and check Craggy out. There are two large bouldering rooms with 100s of graded problems of all styles from easy jugs for beginners to stuff I can only look at and wonder how on earth anyone can climb! The centre is really well designed and has a great feel, the staff really know what they are doing and are happy to offer advice. There is even a bar next door! Also, check out the caving system. It must have been put in for children's parties but believe me it is a real laugh. I got lost a number of times and in some places it really takes some effort to get through. If this is the future of indoor climbing then I like it. Makes such a change to grubby old walls where you feel like an outsider if you 'don't fit in'. Now my local wall!

Had a go at Rock Climbing for the first time last week. Had the chance to do something with Tanja…read more(my wife) while the children Tim (4) and Jamie (15 months) were off our hands for 2 hours. Well what do you do with 2 spare hours. Living in MK there are many things you can try your hands at. We had to book a week ahead to get the time we wanted and once there we were introduced to our instructor (Austen). As soon as he attached our line we were off. Not having done this before I did not know what to expect. Let's just say we had GREAT fun. In 30 minutes we both managed to get up to the top 5 times. If you use your legs to push your arms do not get too sore, but I did get a bit of a sweat on. The hardest thing for me was the first time I had to descend from the top. 13 metres up and having to let go. After a couple of goes I was really enjoying the drop. Will we go again? Definately.