Frequently Asked Questions

If you've never climbed before you'll need to come to come to an induction session (even if you're in the company of experts).

If you're bringing the kids but don't intend to climb yourself, you'll still need to come to an induction to ensure you understand the dangers in the wall and how to keep your little ones safe. Again, booking in advance is best.

If you, or a member of your group, has never been to The Climbing Hangar you’ll need to choose the “First Climb” option, so we can show you around. If you've climbed a few times you'll be asked some questions about your experience when you arrive. It doesn’t matter if you’re a newbie or worldie, but you’ll get a tailor-made induction based on your climbing ability and then you’re free to climb for as long as you like.

100% of first time visitors to The Climbing Hangar must book their session in advance. This is so we can show you around and make sure you have everything you need for a fun climbing trip.

You do not need to book a return visit in advance. If the doors open, you're welcome to come along but please remember to check in at reception when you arrive.

You don’t need to be fit or super strong to start climbing. You’ll find climbs (we call them problems) you can do on your first visit, and the more you practice the stronger you’ll become! Just make sure you warm up before you start to minimise the risk of injury, and then you'll be on your way.

You don’t need to bring anything with you except your enthusiasm and some comfortable clothes.

Free shoe hire is included in your entry, or grab some pro shoes at just £3.

General sports gear is fine. The important thing is to be comfortable, and wear something that allows for a lot of movement. It can also be chilly at The Hangar, although you’ll warm up fast once you’re climbing, so layers are good. You can always remove your sweater once you get sweaty.

Bouldering isn’t about climbing high. The wall is only 4.2m at its highest point. And remember, while your hands might be at the top, your feet are unlikely to ever be more than 3m off the ground. The Climbing Hangar has crash mats throughout and we can teach you to land safely to minimise the risk of injury. As you gain in confidence you will stop noticing the heights.

Each individual climb is referred to as a problem. Each problem is set using holds of a single colour. The colour of the hold represents the difficulty level or 'grade'. There are boards at each centre which explain which colours relate to which grade so you can easily identify problems for your skill level.

Our Route Setters (the ones who create the problems) have designed our grades to overlap. This means that you may be able to complete certain problems in the grade above you are working on. We do this to ensure that every climber, regardless of their ability, has loads to attempt.

Bouldering is a risky sport. But as long as you are aware of the particular risks associated with bouldering and how to avoid unnecessary dangers, it’s actually no more dangerous than normal kids’ play activities or adult sports.

We’ll give you all the information you need to stay safe, and our crew is fully qualified in coaching (and first aid).

All sorts of people, of all ages, go bouldering. There’s really no particular ‘type’ although in general boulderers are a friendly and helpful bunch who like nothing more than to see people overcoming their fears and succeeding on the wall.

Whether you’re just starting out or climbing in the top grades, everyone has a move that scares them or a challenge that they can’t quite master, and everyone is cheering each other on. We love to meet new people and introduce them to this fantastic sport. You will be warmly welcomed at The Climbing Hangar.

Supervision rules are different at each centre, depending on whether there is a dedicated kid's wall or not. Please read the following information carefully.

Supervisors looking after children must be 18 years old or older.

All supervising adults require an in-date waiver and an induction if they have not visited the centre before.

Any children in the centre will need supervision regardless if they’re climbing or not.

• Children aged 0-3 cannot climb in the centre and are not allowed on the mats. They must still be supervised at all times in the centre with a 1:1 adult-to-child ratio.
• At Liverpool Sandhills, Exeter, Plymouth and Swansea, children aged 4-6 are only permitted to climb in the little Hangar. They must be supervised at all times with a 1:1 adult-to-child ratio.
• At Liverpool Matchworks, Sheffield, Reading and London, children aged 4-6 are only permitted to climb as part of our Rock Club Mini sessions and will be supervised by our coaches whilst climbing. They must be supervised at all times with a 1:1 adult-to-child everywhere else in the centre.
• Children aged 7-13 can climb in the main wall area and the little Hangar. They must be supervised at all times with a 1:2 adult-to-child ratio.

If you turn up without the right amount of supervisors, you will be turned away.

Please note that 14 - 17-year-olds are welcome to climb at The Hangar without an adult but you do need to bring a parent or guardian with you on your first visit so we can get the waiver signed off in the centre (even if you complete the waiver form at home). Once that’s done you’re free to come and go as you please.

Please check our supervision guidelines for more information.

If you’re a teacher or youth group leader, you’ll need to attend one of our Train the Trainer sessions. These are free sessions that ensure you’re safe on the mats, understand the basics of climbing and have some fun activities to do with the kids.

We ask for an up-to-date DBS check for anyone coaching under 18’s to make sure we are safeguarding all of our staff and customers. We’ll also need a copy of your public liability insurance and any first aid qualifications.

Once that’s done you’re free to bring down a group of up to 10 kids (per trainer) whenever you want, although we ask that you always give us a call in advance as it can get quite busy.

If you’re a parent and you’d like to come with your kids and their friends, you will need to attend an induction if you’ve never climbed before.

You’re welcome to bring as many little ones as you wish, but please note that you must have one inducted adult for every two kids who come along in order to be covered by our insurance.

We provide a variety of kid-friendly hot and cold food options, plus snacks and soft drinks. There are plenty of options for parents too. Find out more here.

A trip out with the family is only as good as the facilities allow, since a lot of parents aren't just bringing little climbers, but younger siblings who aren't yet ready to take part.

That's why all of our centres offer comfortable changing rooms, accessible toilets and baby-changing options.

Still not sure we'll have exactly what you need? Why not get in touch with your local centre to find out more.

Currently, booking is only essential if this is your first visit to The Hangar or you are attending one of our classes. Find your local Hangar wall and book the relevant product here.

For all pay as you go clubs and classes, we're happy to refund the cost of the session providing you cancel at least 24 hours in advance. No refund is available if you cancel less than 24 hours in advance.

Please contact the centre to cancel – you can’t cancel sessions via your online account.

Not very good at all. We have beginners climbing classes, intermediate climbing classes, and 1:1 coaching for advanced climbers looking to work a particular skill or technique.

Our aim is to help as many people as possible discover a love of climbing and meet a bunch of nice people along the way.

So in addition to our classes, we also a run group social climbs and everyone is invited.

A Climbing Hangar membership is the best value way to climb at any of our centres.

You get unlimited climbing, and a variety of perks, for one low monthly recurring fee.

No contracts, no signing on fees, no fuss.

You can cancel anytime you'd like.

With The Climbing Hangar membership, you pay one low monthly fee in exchange for unlimited climbing. That means you can visit us as many times as you like in the month at no extra cost.

In addition to unlimited climbing, Hangar members receive a variety of perks, including:

• Free unlimited guest passes for new customers to The Hangar
• Free access to climbing classes 
• Exclusive member giveaways 

There are no sign up fees, no minimum terms, no contracts. You can can pause or cancel your membership at any time.

• You can freeze your membership at no extra cost for either 1, 2, or 3 months. If you’re going away, or you’re injured or life is simply happening right now, you can take a break and save the hassle of signing up again. Just follow the freeze steps in the cancellation form.
• You can cancel at any time without penalty. We don't pay pro-rata refunds so your membership services will continue until the end of the current billing cycle.
• You'll need to use our cancellation form to ensure your membership is stopped. Just make sure your form is submitted before midday on the last day of the billing cycle, so you're not charged the next month's fee. You should receive an email confirming the submission of your cancellation request. If you don't receive an email or you believe that you have cancelled in time and been charged in error, please get in touch.
• If your card expires or there are insufficient funds in your account, we will attempt to take payment again within 48 hours and then every few days throughout the month. You'll receive an email letting you know if this is the case. If we've not been able to take payment from your card before you next visit The Hangar you can settle your outstanding dues at the front desk when you check-in.

• Standard membership can be taken out online. For any other membership options, please head to reception and let them know you want to become one of the family. Your first payment will be a pro-rata payment based on the normal monthly subscription (subject to a minimum charge of 1 PAYG entry cost per member).
• At the time of signing up, you will be asked to provide credit or debit card details from which a recurring payment will be taken on the first of each month. Payments will continue to be taken until you cancel your membership, or your card expires.

Yes! We have multiple membership options so you can find the most suitable option for you and your family. Visit our location pages to find pricing for your local Hangar.

• Standard Membership - Unlimited climbing and more for just one monthly payment.
• Family Membership - Unlimited climbing for the whole family! Enjoy further discounted kids membership with every adult member (limited to 2 children U14 per 1 adult)
• Kids Membership - Unlimited climbing and more for U14s for just one monthly payment (child must be supervised at all times).
• Rock Club Membership - Unlimited climbing and a guaranteed slot on one Rock Club class per week for U14s.

Find pricing for your local Hangar here.

The Climbing Hangar Registered Address

'The Climbing Hangar' is the trading name for 'GRIP UK LTD'. For all invoicing and other B2B enquiries, please use the address below:

GRIP UK LTD, Unit 202, Vanilla Factory, 39 Fleet Street, Liverpool, L1 4AR

Of course! Please find our centre's contact numbers below:

• Edinburgh - 0131 370 3100
• Exeter - 01392 301830
• Liverpool North - 0151 345 0587
• Liverpool South - 0151 427 0028
• London - 020 3841 7990
• Plymouth - 01752 717510
• Reading - 0118 907 4251
• Sheffield - 0114 399 8980
• Swansea - 01792 721 244