An old church might seem like an odd place to have a climbing wall but it actually works surprisingly 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. read more

Undercover Rock - Taken from their website - Climbing Near Me - Bristol, BST

it just never ceases to amaze me the wealth of exiting and slightly unusual things to do in and around 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. read more

Undercover Rock - From Website - Climbing Near Me - Bristol, BST

The St Werburghs Climbing Centre is a pretty special place. Housed in an old church with towering climbing walls that have been designed and built by the owners, the creation of this unique indoor climbing centre is an incredible achievement. I think they've even made a programme about it, if my memory serves me well... Nestled in the vibrant area of St Werburghs, there's free on street parking if you need it, but more often than not the climbers turn up on their bikes. There's a real sense of community here, making it a great place to meet like-minded people and discover all the best places to climb in and around the city when the weather is clement. read more

Undercover Rock - Climbing Near Me - Bristol, BST

OK so I'm scared of heights (I know, what a wiener) but I had to have a look at the climbing centre just because it used to be a church. I am a big fan of church renovations that aren't merely for the purpose of flats or apartments and you are not disappointed by the job they've done here. As soon as you walk in you would forget you were in a church if it wasn't for the old pues, pieces of furniture and the windows. There is a great, cheap little cafe, where I imagine the people (or parents) that are afraid of heights sit and wait for people to finish climbing. It has a really welcoming, family atmosphere unlike some sports or leisure centres. It does seem like the wall could be slightly higher, seen as the church building is so tall, but I am sure that must have been structurally impossible. And there is more than enough wall space (?) here to get the climbers high (huh, climbing pun, oh no he didn't). read more

Undercover Rock - Climbing Near Me - Bristol, BST

I run an active social group on meetup.com (bristol thrive) and set an event to go here for the £15 taster session. The center is just off mina road near Tesco eastville in a church..i know, a church! It has multipul areas depending on your skill level with roped climbs and bouldering. Theres a small cafe with upstairs seating where you can watch the spider people at play or chill out after an epic climb. The instructor Paul was really good showing us how to tie ropes safely, check our clips and support the lead handler, our safety was important and there were lots of equipment checks, encouragement when i slipped and fell...seriously i think i actually shreeked (lucky some big strong boys had the rope!) I do have a gripe, oh no! Booking multipul people in was a massive faff, theyre booking line is only open 10-4 mon-fri and even then they lost our booking multipul times. The organisation was pretty ....unorganised! Apart from that we all really enjoyed it and would be happy to give it another go in the future. :) read more

Probably one of the coolest climbing centres in the UK. I like to think of it as a testament to climbing as a religion. The airy space that you would expect from a church has been magnificently converted to a brilliant spot to come spend the day climbing. They run all sort of courses for beginners and experts, for children and adults, and all at very reasonable prices, especially when you realise how many routes there are. read more

The Bristol Climbing Centre is built within the fifteenth century Church of St.Werburghs and its facilities cater for beginners right though to competition climbers. Equipment includes 12 metre high climbing walls, pillars, fins, overhangs and arches making up over 50 individual climbint routes. Compulsory training course for all new members. A sport that offers great fitness opportunities, an alternative gym for many members, venue can also be booked for childrens parties. read more

Talk about an unexpected venue for a climbing wall. This fifteenth century church in St. Werburgh's is full of character and provides an interesting setting to learn how to scale the heights. Safe and friendly and in a beyyoootifuul historic area, how much better can climbing get (unless on a real life mountain range, mais qui) the climbing centre has also been awarded 'Regional Centre of Excellence' status by the Sports Council. I'm no competition climber (in fact experiencing the odd twinge of vertigo every now & then), so good job the centre's facilities offer advice and support for the complete beginners too. The climbing walls are a kick-ass 12 metres, with orginial ecclesiatical features incorporated into the design - pillars, fins, overhangs and arches. That makes it exciting climbing terrain kids. If you despise the gym but its peeing it down with rain outside, head on down to church. A more imaginative way to keep fit all year round and meet some fellow wall-scalers while you're at it. read more

Nice wall with a good range of climbs in an atmospheric old church. Still holds it's own against some the bigger newer walls. A good facility all in all. read more

A great place to climb if you have to climb indoors. It has 12 meter walls with daunting overhangs. Also a beginners room with top ropes and plenty of the team keeping an eye out for danger. Whoever the route setters are, they are good. The routes flow wonderfully and the grades imo are pretty much spot on. The place is filthy and desperately needs a good clean. The cafe, which is behind reception is very grubby looking and the reception staff are unfriendly. If you can get over the dirt. (Just make sure you take a decent brush) then its a great place to climb. read more