The Climbing Unit Ltd
BEST FOR
Ages 5+
ENTRY
from £9.50
WHERE
Derby
What it’s like
Bouldering walls graded for different abilities, with mats instead of ropes and harnesses for younger climbers to get stuck into.
This is a bouldering centre, so there's no harness faff, just climbing walls up to a sensible height with thick mats underneath. Kids work their way up graded routes, and the site lists warm-up games alongside the climbing itself, which helps if you've got a five-year-old who needs a minute before tackling a wall.
Five is the minimum age, and that's not just a number on a page, they say it's so kids can actually get something out of the session rather than just hanging about at the bottom. The bigger catch for under-18s is that they can't climb without a competent adult member supervising, or without doing an induction first. That's a proper faff on a first visit, since you'll also need to fill in a membership form and a parental consent form before anyone touches the wall, so build in extra time.
Prices run from £9.50 for juniors up to £12.50 for adults, with a concession rate for over-60s and students. Opening hours are generous, mornings through to 10pm most weekdays, though Wednesday doesn't open till midday and weekends wrap up earlier at 7pm. Parking's free and unlimited on site, and there's a café doing proper coffee and homemade cakes if you fancy a sit-down once the arms have given out.
Birthday parties run here too, though group bookings need a qualified instructor and there's a £20 per instructor per hour deposit to factor in. One nice touch: turn up on foot, by bike or on public transport and they'll give you a free tea or Americano, a small reward for not clogging up that free car park.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 5 and up, once they can handle a graded bouldering wall
- Parking
- Free unlimited off-road car parking on site
- Food
- Café serving fresh coffee and tea, homemade cakes, and locally sourced snacks
- Parties
- Kids' parties available. Group bookings require qualified instructors with £20 per instructor per hour deposit
- Turn up on foot, bike or public transport and you get a free tea or Americano.
- Wednesday opening starts later, at midday rather than 10am.
- First visit takes longer thanks to the membership and consent paperwork.
- Weekend hours are shorter, closing at 7pm instead of 10pm.
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
£9.50 for under-18s, £12.50 for adults, and £10.50 if you're over 60 or a student.
Do we need to book?
Booking's required, so don't just turn up and expect a wall free.
What age can kids start climbing?
Five is the minimum, mainly so they can actually keep up with a session rather than just watching.
Can my child climb without me?
Only if a competent adult member is supervising, or your child has done an induction first. That adult can watch over up to two people at a time.
What happens on the first visit?
You'll fill in a membership form and read the conditions of use, plus a parental consent form if you're bringing anyone under 18.
Is there parking?
Free unlimited parking on site, no time limit to watch.
What food is there?
A café with fresh coffee, tea, homemade cakes and locally sourced snacks.
Can we book a birthday party here?
Yes, kids' parties are available, though group bookings need a qualified instructor and a £20 per instructor per hour deposit.
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