Rock Climbing in London

London is a climbers playground! With Biggin, Toys and Ide Hill all a short cycle away, it's the perfect place to practice riding hills, and to really challenge yourself. Hills are the best way to improve your strength, confidence and overall fitness, and London/Kent is the place to do it! Climbing centres differ in many ways but for the most part, indoor climbing is divided into three different types: bouldering, top-rope climbing and lead climbing.

 

Bouldering is style of rock climbing, bouldering is rope-free climbing undertaken at a low height over crash pads so that falls do not result in serious injury. Routes are graded according to difficulty and little equipment is required, usually just climbing shoes and a chalk bag. Top-rope climbing is the style most often seen at climbing walls. Climbers are harnessed and attached to a rope which passes through an anchor at the top of the wall and then back down to a partner at ground level, who pulls the slack rope tight so the climber does not fall if they let go.

 

For more experienced climbers, lead climbing presents a greater challenge as the climber is not anchored in to the top of the wall. Instead, they progressively clip themselves into different points on the wall as they ascend it, with their partner below giving out new rope as and when the climber needs it.

Arch Climbing Wall

Arch Climbing Wall

The Arch is a bouldering climbing centre. It contains over 11,000 square feet of bouldering wall, which reaches about 4 metres in height and is graded from V0 (easiest) to V9 (hardest). There are around 300-400 different routes to attempt, which get updated every eight weeks, so the regulars don’t get bored. There are also campus boards, rings, bars and a project board where you can set your own routes.

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The Reach - Climbing Wall

The Reach - climbing wall

The largest & friendliest indoor climbing centre in London. We have over 50 top rope lines, the majority can also be led, 4 dedicated lead walls, including an impressive & unique 16m roof overhang, 12 TruBlue auto belays & 4 bouldering areas with a dedicated training room. We also have fantastic cafe on site, serving delicious homemade food & cakes, all freshly baked on the premises. If you're brand new to climbing, or just need a refresher, we've got the course for you.

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