The best rock climbing walls in London

This climbing centre is splendidly housed in an old Victorian pumping station and boasts a whopping 450 routes and 90 roped lines. You can begin working your way around some of them at special taster sessions, or experienced climbers can jump right into scaling the walls. There are plenty of kid-friendly slots here, including the Gecko Club, which runs special courses and holiday clubs (under-16s can only climb with the supervision of an instructor or a parent). 

There are three Arch climbing centres to choose from; one is a converted art deco cinema in Acton, another is an 11,000 square-foot space in Edgware, and the third is located in Bermondsey in a former Damien Hirst gallery. Each has a number of easy and challenging walls to get to grips with. Kids from eight years old can join the fun as long as they’re with an adult climber, while kids between the ages of 12–16 can climb unsupervised but need a parental note of consent and an intro lesson on their first visit.

Stronghold now boasts two locations, both offering workshops, courses and walls filled with challenges to overcome. The Tottenham Hale centre comes with a gym area, Moon board, Circuit board, 40-degree wooden board and a dedicated space for kids, plus a café to refuel in. Over in London Fields, meanwhile, you’ll find a gym area and Kilter board, while you can grab a beer once you’re back on two feet to reward yourself for all the work you’ve just put in.

There are 110 lines and 350 routes to explore at Westway’s impressive climbing centre, so kids and adults alike will have plenty to tackle here. Sign up for tuition to become a climbing pro, stop by for a casual session or, if you’ve caught the climbing bug, nab yourself a monthly or annual membership so you can be one with the wall on a regular basis. Looking for a spot to hold a unique party? You can book the space for up to 30 people, too.

At the refurbished The Climbing Hangar, you’ll find three whole floors packed with indoor climbing opps. Take an induction sesh, then hit the wall, where you can manoeuvre your way around for as long as you like each day. Make sure you pick up a punchcard if you’re interested in semi-regular climbs but can’t commit to a monthly membership – it’ll score you 10 visits for the price of eight.

If you’re well into your climbing, Vauxwall's two climbing centres have got a lot going for them. VauxEast, in particular, boasts multiple climbing areas, a decent café, a shop, and a gym – and it doesn’t hurt that they're both close to tube stations. You can get involved with everything from Sunday morning socials to the ‘Boulderama’ meetup on Wednesday evenings. There’s also a junior club for kids aged eight and above – but anyone under 18 must be pre-registered by their parent or legal guardian before they can use the centre.

This rainbow-coloured climbing centre in Chelsea is aimed at anyone new to the world of climbing. There are 21 wall challenges to try out in a standard 60-minute session from Monday to Sunday – but it doesn’t come cheap. Prices start from £12.50 for toddlers or £22.50 for everyone else. Clip ’N Climb boasts more than just your usual climbing walls, though, including the ‘Vertical Drop Slide’ and ‘Stairway To Heaven’ attractions (both of which you can access for an additional charge). The venue can also be hired out for special celebrations, including three options for children’s parties.

Climbing might be growing in popularity, but Mile End Climbing Wall has been welcoming wall-scalers since 1986. There are beginner-focused lessons a plenty, or sessions that will help more experienced climbers up their skills to the next level – with a bit of work, you should have no trouble ascending towards your physical peak. Children from eight to 16 can attend beginner climbing sessions on weekday evenings and Saturday and Sunday mornings. Once you’re back on the ground, treat yourself to a steam in the venue’s traditional Finnish sauna.

The Reach claims to be south London’s biggest climbing wall and is home to over 300 boulder blocks, 77 roping lines, 64 lead lines and 12 auto belay lines. If you’re in need of some new gear, you can pick up the essentials in the on-site shop, or hire what you need from the front desk. Kids and adults alike are all welcome, while they offer courses designed for beginners and those who are more confident on the wall.