04.06.26
Kids’ Summer Holiday Climbing in Southwest 2026
The summer holidays are nearly here, and we’ve packed our schedule with sessions to keep kids active, having fun, and falling in love with climbing. Whether your child is brand new to the wall or already hooked, there’s something for every family this summer.
The Mothership – Bristol
Holiday Climbing Club
Our Holiday Climbing Club runs throughout the summer holidays, giving kids aged 8–15 the chance to try climbing, develop their skills, and have a brilliant time with other young climbers. Sessions are fun, active, and coached — the perfect way to fill a weekday during the holidays.
8–11s: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
12–15s: 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM
📅 Dates: Monday 20 July – Friday 28 August 📆 Days: Weekdays only
Family Bouldering Inductions
New to The Mothership? Our Family Bouldering Inductions are the ideal introduction to bouldering for families visiting for the first time. This summer we’re running extra morning and afternoon slots to make it as easy as possible to get started.
Morning sessions: 10:00 AM — Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday Afternoon sessions: 2:30 PM — Monday to Friday
Please note: there is no morning induction on Fridays due to our Tiny Academy sessions.
Our regular Friday evening inductions continue as normal throughout the summer:
4:30 PM — Family Induction 5:30 PM — Adult Induction
📅 Dates: Monday 20 July – Friday 28 August
The Church – Bristol
Holiday Climbing Club
The Church is also running Holiday Climbing Club sessions for young climbers aged 8–15 across the full summer holiday period. Fun activities, friendly coaching, and a great way to keep kids active and try something new.
8–11s: 12:15 PM – 1:45 PM
12–15s: 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM
📅 Dates: Monday 20 July – Friday 28 August 📆 Days: Weekdays only
The Arc – Chippenham
The Arc has a fantastic summer line-up for families in and around Chippenham, with sessions running every Saturday throughout the holidays as well as a dedicated holiday week of daily sessions.
Kids & Family Taster Sessions
Never climbed before? Our Taster Sessions are a brilliant first step for kids and families who want to give climbing a go in a fun, relaxed environment. No experience needed — just a sense of adventure!
Holiday Climbing Club
For those ready to go a bit further, our Holiday Climbing Club for 8–11s and 12–15s offers coached sessions packed with fun activities to keep young climbers challenged and coming back for more.
📅 Saturday sessions: Every Saturday 25 July – 29 August, mid-week sessions 28 July – 1 August 🗓️ 📍 Location: The Arc, Chippenham
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much do the holiday climbing sessions cost? At The Mothership, sessions are £13 per child for the 8–11s and £15 per child for the 12–15s. Sessions at The Church and The Arc are £15 per child.
- What ages are the sessions for? Sessions cover children aged 8 to 15, grouped by age. The 8–11s and 12–15s Holiday Climbing Clubs run at The Mothership and The Church in Bristol, and at The Arc in Chippenham. The Arc also runs Kids & Family Taster Sessions suitable for younger children and families.
- Does my child need climbing experience or their own equipment? Not at all. Sessions are designed for all abilities including complete beginners, and all climbing equipment is provided.
- Where are the sessions held? Sessions run across three venues: The Mothership and The Church in Bristol, and The Arc in Chippenham.
- How long are the sessions? At The Mothership, the 8–11s session runs for one hour (11:00 AM – 12:00 PM) and the 12–15s for one and a half hours (12:30 PM – 2:00 PM). Session lengths at The Church and The Arc are all one and a half hours.
- How do I book? Book using the links above. Places are limited, so early booking is strongly recommended.
