First time climbing?

Getting started is easy

You can pay per visit or buy passes for discounted entry. View prices.

Pay Once, Climb Twice

If you’ve never visited a TCA centre before, you can pay for your first visit and your second visit is completely free. View offer.

Bouldering

You don’t have to book or complete a course to go bouldering, just turn up. You can hire shoes at each centre. Save time by completing a form online (which includes a safety video) in advance. You can boulder at all TCA centres, although if you’re in Bristol, head to The Mothership as bouldering at The Church is limited. Over 16s can boulder unsupervised.

Complete Forms

Roped Climbing

To start rope climbing, you must first complete a beginners course or be accompanied by an experienced friend who is happy to supervise. Find out more about Roped Beginners’ Courses and Tasters for all ages:

See all courses

Bringing kids?

Please note that there are some restrictions for under 8s whether roped climbing or bouldering. See FAQs

Bouldering

Under 16s must be supervised by a registered adult. Each adult can supervise up to 2 others per visit.

You can boulder at all TCA centres, although if you’re in Bristol, head to The Mothership as bouldering at The Church is limited. There is a dedicated kids climbing area at The Newsroom in Glasgow. If you’re bringing kids to The Prop Store to boulder, we’d reccomend phoning ahead to check. The upstairs bouldering space in The Arc in Chippenham has family-friendly climbs.

Roped Climbing

Under 18s must be supervised by a registered adult.

You can try rope climbing at The Church (Bristol), The Arc (Chippenham) and The Prop Store (Glasgow). We offer kids term time classes, holiday sessions and birthday parties. Visit locations for more info on youth climbing.

Experienced climbers can save time by completing forms online in advance.

Can I visit without climbing?

Yes, we have cafes in every centre where you can enjoy great coffee, sweet treats, savoury snacks and beer. These are open to the public. You do not need to register to use the cafes. We offer take out hot drinks if you are passing and need a quick caffeine (or decaf) fix.

St.Werburgh's Church
Mina Road, Bristol
BS2 9YQ

View in Google Maps

Mon-Fri: 12pm-10pm
(Peak 3-8pm)

Sat-Sun: 9am-6pm
(Peak 9am-3pm)

thechurch@theclimbingacademy.com

01179 413 489

Bouldering
Roped Climbing
Shop
Training Facilities
Cafe

Welcome to

The Church

The Church in St. Werburgh’s, Bristol is one of the UK’s first indoor climbing centres. It has varied walls and angles up to 12m with challenges for all abilities. There are dedicated top-roping and lead climbing areas, a training/stretching space, 2 small bouldering spaces and a mezzanine cafe serving locally roasted coffee, fresh sandwiches, delicious cakes and local beers. We have a friendly and experienced team who run a host of great courses. Visit our Access page to find out more about wheelchair limitations at The Church and accessible facilities at TCA centres.

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EVERYONE IS WELCOME

Come and try climbing

If you have not tried roped climbing before, you’ll need to do one of our Taster Sessions or a Beginners Courses. If you’re an established climber you can just complete forms and you’re off. You don’t have to book or complete a course to go bouldering, although we recommend that you boulder at The Mothership in Bristol. You can hire shoes at each centre. Save time by completing forms online in advance (this includes a safety video). Over 16s can boulder unsupervised. Under 16s must be supervised by a registered adult. Each adult can supervise up to 2 others per visit.

COMPLETE FORMS

“I recently signed up to the adult beginner’s course…It was so much fun and the instructor was really friendly. He was a great teacher, and made it easy to learn the knots and belaying techniques….The centre is great too – even though it was busy, there was still space to practice on, and a good range of routes for beginners as well as advanced climbers. Will definitely be back now I’ve qualified!” Google review ★★★★★

Group bookings

Contacting The Church

For enquiries about groups sessions and instructed courses, please don’t email. We will be able to assist you quickly if you give us your details via the group enquiry form.