The Castle Climbing Centre

What it’s like

Rope climbing and bouldering across 250-plus routes, with an outdoor bouldering garden that's rare for a London centre.

This is a proper climbing centre rather than a soft-play scramble, so it suits kids who are actually keen on ropes and holds rather than just a scramble net. There's bouldering, rope climbing, and over 250 routes plus 430-odd boulder problems to work through, and it's one of the few places in London with an outdoor bouldering garden if the weather's playing along. Anyone under 16 has to climb with a qualified supervising adult, and there's no shortcut round that unless a child's done an in-depth competency assessment first.

Under 6s get in for £5.50, which is fair enough given what's on offer, but a single adult session is £18 unless you qualify for the concession rate at £12.50, or the off-peak concession at £10.50. If you're going to make a habit of it, the bulk-buy of 8 sessions brings the price down to £128 (£92 concession), which is where this stops being a one-off treat and starts being worth the investment. First-timers have to book and check in at reception before climbing, though it's worth filling in the online forms in advance so you're not stood there doing paperwork while your kids are itching to get on the wall.

Parking is limited and you'll need to register your number plate at reception, so the tube is genuinely the easier option: Manor House is four minutes' walk, Finsbury Park a bit further. There's a café on site and lockers for your stuff, and the ground floor is fully wheelchair accessible for traversing, bouldering and top-roping if that matters to your group. Dogs are allowed too, but only outside peak hours, before 4pm on weekdays.

Facilities

Need to know

Best for

Under 6s to teens, though under 16s always need a supervising adult

Booking

First-time visitors must book. Registered climbers can self check-in via app or skip queue

Parking

Limited on-site parking. Must register vehicle number plate at reception

Wheelchairs

Ground floor (boiler house) is completely wheelchair accessible with traversing, bouldering and top-roping

Dogs

Well-behaved dogs welcome during off-peak hours only (Mon-Fri before 4pm)

Getting there by bus or train

Manor House tube (Piccadilly Line, exit 3, 4 min walk)

• Register your vehicle plate at reception if you drive, parking is limited
• Fill in the online forms before you arrive to skip some of the reception faff
• Bulk-buy 8 sessions if you'll be back regularly, it works out much cheaper per visit
• Dogs are only welcome before 4pm on weekdays

Plan your visit

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