The Climbing Academy - "The Church"
BEST FOR
Ages 0+
ENTRY
from £7.80
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
Bristol
What it’s like
Roped climbs up to 12m and two bouldering warm-up areas, with sessions that run as long as you like once you're in.
Kids get two options here: bouldering over thick mats with no ropes at all, or roped climbing up walls that go as high as 12m using top-ropes, lead lines or auto belays. Bouldering is proper walk-up stuff, no booking, no forms, just turn up and have a go. Roped climbing needs a bit more admin first time, either a beginners course or a free auto belay induction, unless you've already got the experience and forms sorted online.
Under 16s have to be supervised for bouldering and under 18s for roped climbing, so this isn't a drop-your-kid-off sort of place unless they're older and verified. From age 6 there are youth classes running through term time and holidays if you want something more structured than a general visit. Entry gets you unlimited time once you're through the door, which is the good bit, arrive early and you can stay as long as your arms hold out.
Prices shift between peak and off-peak, and an under-8 costs £7.80 off-peak but climbs to £8.80 at peak times, adults £12.50 to £14.50. Shoe hire is £4 for adults and £3 for under 16s if you haven't got your own, and there's a harness and belay device to hire too if you need the full kit. It's worth knowing this branch is lighter on bouldering than TCA's Mothership site, which has two full floors dedicated to it, so if bouldering's the main event you might find it a bit compact here.
There's a café on site open to anyone, climbing or not, and free on-street parking outside. No showers at this branch, which is one to note if you're planning a proper session and were hoping to freshen up after. Birthday parties run from age 6, up to nine children a session with a mix of roped climbing and bouldering, and you'll need to book at least a week ahead.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Any age with supervision; youth classes and unsupervised climbing kick in from 16-18
- Booking
- Bouldering walk-ups welcome. Roped climbing requires course, auto belay induction or prior experience with forms completed online in advance
- Parking
- Free on-street parking
- How long to allow
- Unlimited, no time limit
- Dogs
- Assistance dogs welcome in building under control but not permitted on climbing mat without Centre Manager discussion
- Parties
- Climbing parties for 6+ years, up to 9 children per session, includes roped climbing and/or bouldering
- Worth knowing
- New customers pay for one visit and get two weeks of unlimited climbing at all TCA centres
- This branch has less bouldering than TCA's Mothership site, which has two whole floors for it
- New customers get two weeks of unlimited climbing at all TCA centres after paying for one visit
- You can fill in the safety forms online before you arrive to save time on the day
- Bring your own padlock for the lockers or buy one at reception
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Adults are £12.50 off-peak and £14.50 peak, under 16s £8.80 or £9.80, and under 8s £7.80 or £8.80 depending on the time. There's no membership or joining fee, you just pay to get in.
Do we need to book?
Bouldering, no, just walk up. Roped climbing needs a beginners course or free auto belay induction first unless you're experienced and have completed the forms online.
How long can we stay?
Sessions are unlimited once you're in, no time cutoff. Get there early and you can climb all day.
What age can kids start climbing?
Any age, as long as a registered adult is supervising closely. Under 16s must be supervised bouldering, under 18s for roped climbing.
Do we need our own gear?
No, everything's available to hire, shoes at £4 for adults or £3 for under 16s, plus harness and belay device hire if you need it.
Is there parking?
Free on-street parking right at The Church.
Can we just use the café?
The café's open to anyone, you don't need to be climbing or registered to sit in.
Are there showers?
This branch doesn't have showers unlike some of the other TCA centres.
Can we bring the dog?
Assistance dogs are fine in the building under control, but not on the climbing mats without talking to the centre manager first. Emotional support dogs aren't permitted.
Do you do birthday parties?
From age 6, up to nine kids per session with roped climbing and bouldering. You need to book at least a week ahead, and you can bring your own cake and food.
Is there youth coaching?
Youth classes run from age 6 through term time and school holidays if you want more than a casual visit.
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