We are really getting into climbing at the moment so we booked on for a Saturday afternoon visit to Audley Climbing Centre. As it was our first time at the centre we were advised to book an instructed session. This is great for beginners and perfect if you are in a group of like minder friends or siblings wanting to learn to climb together.
We arrived early for our session and while we waited I filled in the consent forms online. This has to be done for each person climbing before they start. Once that was done the instructor got us to remove any loose clothing and jewellery, then talked through some safety points. We got our harnesses on and were taken to the first wall. Having an instructed session means the instructor will set the climbing to each participant’s ability so all ages and abilities will be encouraged to climb at a level that suits them.
Our instructor was great, she was fun and encouraging and really helpful with hints and tips of how to climb the walls. When the walls got trickier she suggested ways of maneuvering yourself higher in a way you wouldn’t have thought of yourself.
At Audley Climbing Centre they use a belaying system which is the act of exerting tension on a climbing rope to counterbalance the climber when they fall. The instructor is your partner when climbing so is always at the other end of your rope. She guided you when you wanted to come back down the wall, getting you to hold the rope with both hands, learn back and walk down while she took your weight. She made you feel safe and she knew what she was doing which filled me with confidence when she was working with both my daughters and myself while we climbed.
The staff were not in a rush to get you started so you could take your time getting ready and asking questions. Because of this we were a little late to start the session but we still got our full hour climbing. Finishing on a great activity. One of the walls lead you to a large structural beam which is part of the building. If you made it to the top of the wall you could go and stand on the beam and do a dance. I was no where near brave enough for that! However my eldest daughter loved this and happily stood on the 6 inch wide beam 12 meters in the air and did a little dance.
There was a good mix of different walls, some with overhanging parts which made it more difficult. The harder walls really did challenge you but this was great, it wasn’t just a case of climbing upwards. But you had to work out which path to take, which boulders to use and alot of physical and mental strength was needed to climb.
This is our favoutite climbing place so far and my daughters liked working together and challenging each other. During the holidays the centre run special event climbing sessions which are meant to be really good so I will definitely be heading back soon.
Routes changed regularly to keep the place fresh.
- Free parking
- Friendly experienced staff
- Instructed sessions are suitable for anyone aged 4 +
- Viewing area upstairs with tables and chairs
- Cold drinks and snacks are available to buy
- Climbing shoes are available to borrow
- Children’s progressive indoor climbing courses
