The Northwest Face Climbing Centre
BEST FOR
Ages 6+
ENTRY
from £9
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
Warrington
What it’s like
Fifty-odd climbing lines, a proper bouldering area and eight auto belays for kids to work their way up without needing a parent on the rope.
This is a working climbing centre, not a soft play with a wall bolted on. There's 54 climbing lines covering top rope and lead climbing, a 100-square-metre bouldering area, and 8 auto belays for kids who want to climb without waiting for someone to hold the rope. Under-18s need to be with a competent, registered adult climber at all times, so if you're not that person yourself, this is one for booking onto a session rather than turning up and winging it.
Age six is the cut-off for the under-18 sessions and holiday clubs, though the site mentions family taster sessions can stretch to five-year-olds. An under-12 climbing session is £9, under-18 is £11, and a day's climbing as a registered adult is £13. There's a one-off £15 lifetime registration fee on top, which stings a bit the first time but means you're not paying it again. Shoes and a harness are extra if you haven't got your own, £3.50 and £2.50.
Birthday parties get an hour of climbing and the café area for food afterwards, from £80 for up to six climbers up to £240 for eighteen. Holiday clubs run 90 minutes at £17 a head for ages 6 to 17, which is a fair chunk of a morning sorted if the weather's rubbish. There's a café with a viewing balcony if you'd rather watch than climb, and free Wi-Fi to fill the time.
Parking's free with room for over 35 cars, and there's a ramped entrance at the back if you call ahead. Weekdays run 10am to 10pm, weekends 10am to 6pm, so an evening session after school is doable if you can get everyone fed first. Cancel with less than 48 hours' notice and you won't get a refund or transfer, which is the kind of small print worth remembering before you book a big group.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Ages 6 and up, especially with a confident adult climber alongside
- Booking
- Book online or call 01925 650022
- Parking
- Free on site, space for over 35 cars
- Food
- On-site café with viewing balcony
- Wheelchairs
- Ramped entrance available at back of building
- Dogs
- Not allowed
- Parties
- Climbing birthday parties for ages 6+, 1 hour climbing, up to 18 kids, café area available for food
- There's a one-off £15 lifetime registration fee alongside the session price
- Under-18s must always have a competent, registered adult climbing with them
- Dogs aren't allowed inside the centre
- Weekday evenings run late, up to 10pm, if you want to avoid the weekend crowd
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
£9 for under-12s, £11 for under-18s, £13 for adults on a day pass. There's also a one-off £15 lifetime registration fee, and shoe and harness hire are £3.50 and £2.50 if you need them.
Do we need to book?
If you're not an experienced climber, yes, book ahead. Experienced climbers can drop in without booking.
What age can kids start climbing?
Six for the under-18 sessions and holiday clubs. Family taster sessions can take five-year-olds.
Do I have to climb with my child?
Under-18s need to be supervised at all times by a competent, registered adult climber, so you'll need someone qualified with them if they're not going solo.
Is there parking?
Free on site with space for over 35 cars.
What's there to eat?
There's a café with a viewing balcony, or you can bring your own food and drinks.
Can I stay and watch?
Yes, there's a seating area and café where you can watch from.
Do you do birthday parties?
An hour of climbing plus the café area for food, £80 for up to six climbers up to £240 for eighteen.
What about holiday clubs?
90 minutes for £17 a head, ages 6 to 17.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
There's a ramped entrance at the back of the building. Call ahead when you arrive and they'll open it for you.
What are the opening hours?
Monday to Friday 10am to 10pm, weekends 10am to 6pm, with different hours on bank holidays.
What if we need to cancel?
You'll need to give 48 hours' notice for a refund or transfer.
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