Whether you’re a seasoned pro looking for a challenge or a complete beginner keen to test your grip, London's climbing scene has something for everyone. From towering indoor walls in the South packed with fun routes to West spots where you can refine your technique and get fit, the capital is brimming with places to chalk up, take on gravity and release your inner big kid. Get ready to scale new heights with our guide to the best rock climbing in London - you might even make some fellow climber friends along the way.
London Rock Climbing
Substation Brixton
- Where: Unit 13, Ellerslie Square Industrial Estate, SW2 5DZ
- How much: from £15 per person
If you’re looking for a climbing spot that’s as dynamic as your next route, Substation Brixton is where it’s at. With over 100 climbing routes and new sets added every week, this place keeps things fresh - so you’ll never run out of walls to conquer.
There’s also a gym, fitness studio, treatment room, and a café - because nothing says I earned this like a post-climb coffee or pizza. Want to mix things up? The venue hosts monthly climbing events, making it the perfect place to meet fellow adventurers. With group booking discounts (shoe hire included) and flexible single-day passes starting at just £15 (plus off-peak discounts on weekdays before 3pm), it's a great choice when it comes to indoor rock climbing in South London.
Rub boulders with fellow climbing enthusiasts.
The Arch Climbing Centre
- Where: Bermondsey and Surrey Quays
- How much: from £11 per person
Once a hidden gem beneath the railway arches of London Bridge, The Arch Climbing Wall has grown into one of the capital’s most exciting bouldering hubs, with full-sized centres in Bermondsey and Surrey Quays. What started in 2008 as London’s first dedicated bouldering gym has stayed true to its original vision - creating welcoming, high-quality climbing spaces where beginners and world-class athletes alike can push their limits, build strength, and have fun.
From beginner lessons to free improver sessions, there’s support for every skill level. Women’s social climbing nights with experienced instructors Amy and Megan provide a welcoming space to grow in confidence and technique.
When it comes to rock climbing, London Bridge and Surrey Quays are home to top-tier routes.
Castle Climbing Centre
- Where: Green Lanes, N4 2HA
- How much: £11.50 per concession, £16.50 per adult
Tucked inside a striking Victorian water pumping station, Castle Climbing Centre in North London is a dream for climbers of all levels. With over 330 indoor bouldering problems, 130+ outdoor routes, and a mix of top-rope, lead, and auto-belay climbs, there's something for everyone - from total beginners to seasoned pros. The passionate instructors are not just qualified experts; they're dedicated climbers themselves, ready to guide you through your first climb or help you perfect your technique.
Beyond the walls, the space offers a full training gym, warm-up areas, and skill-building sessions to push your limits. Whether you're here for a casual taster session or serious progression, you'll find a welcoming community and a truly unique setting that turns every climb into an adventure.
The perfect pick for brushing up on your skills.
Stronghold Climbing Centre
- Where: London Fields and Tottenham Hale
- How much: from £9 per concession, from £10.50 per adult
Stronghold Climbing Centre is a go-to bouldering hub with two fantastic locations - Tottenham Hale and London Fields. Just a stone’s throw from Tottenham Hale Station, the original centre boasts over 200 bouldering problems, a cutting-edge Moonboard, a massive circuit board set by climbing legend Steve McClure, and a well-equipped gym. Regular resets, workshops, and coaching sessions keep things fresh, while the café, retail shop, and heated changing rooms make it easy to relax post-climb.
Over in East London, Stronghold London Fields brings an underground bouldering experience with top-tier problems, a Kilter Board, and expert-led weekly workshops to help climbers level up. The air-conditioned space is as much about community as it is about climbing, offering a laid-back atmosphere and a stunning upstairs café overlooking Regent’s Canal. With Broadway Market just around the corner and an indoor bike store for easy access, it’s the perfect place to climb, chill, and grab a great coffee after a session.
Check out this London Field venue's DJ nights.
Climbing At Westway Sports & Fitness Centre
- Where: 1 Crowthorne Road, W10 6RP
- How much: from £9.50 per concession, from £13 per adult
Climbing at Westway Sports & Fitness Centre is one of London’s top destinations for climbers of all levels, offering a mix of roped climbing, bouldering, and expert-led coaching. With the UK’s largest coaching team and award-winning facilities, the venue provides a huge variety of sessions, from casual climbs and social nights to structured courses like beginner lessons, lead climbing, and private tuition.
Plus, with a welcoming community vibe, weekly workshops, and even Women’s Climbing Socials (complete with free tea, coffee, and biscuits), it’s the perfect place to climb, connect, and have fun. For those new to climbing, the taster sessions offer an exciting introduction to top roping, bouldering, and belaying in a safe and supportive setting. More experienced climbers can refine their skills at Club Night, where friendly coaches help with technique and partner matching.
Everything's plain abseiling at this North Kensington spot.
The Climbing Hangar
- Where: 33-35 Parsons Green Lane, SW6 4HH (and UK-wide)
- How much: £14 per concession, £16 per adult
Since its humble beginnings in a Liverpool warehouse in 2011, The Climbing Hangar has grown into a nationwide climbing hub, welcoming thousands of climbers every month across its nine locations, from London to Exeter, Plymouth and beyond.
With expert coaching, inclusive group sessions, and flexible one-to-one coaching, there’s something for every skill level. Want to improve your technique? Its classes cover everything from the basics to advanced skills, plus weekly social climbs like Hangar Women Rock, a supportive and energetic session for those with lived experience of misogyny. And the best part? Coaching sessions are free with a Climbing Hangar membership. Food-wise, the café is the perfect post-climb hangout, serving fresh, locally sourced food, from handmade sourdough pizzas to globally inspired specials.
You won't be going hangar-y at this spot's café post-climb.
VauxWall Climbing Centre
- Where: London-wide
- How much: from £7.50 off-peak per adult
VauxWall is at the heart of London’s bouldering scene. Tucked beneath the railway arches of Vauxhall Station, the flagship centre boasts hundreds of climbs across six impressive arches, a dedicated training area, and a free-weight gym.
Since its success, VauxWall has expanded into a network of London Climbing Centres, including HarroWall, VauxWall East, RavensWall, CroyWall, CanaryWall, BethWall Green and EustonWall. With a multi-centre membership, you can climb all over the city, pushing your limits wherever you go. If you’re looking for a dynamic, social, and accessible way to climb in London, this centre has you covered.
This flagship centre is only a moment's walk from the underground station.
The Reach Climbing Wall
- Where: Unit 6, Mellish Industrial Estate, Harrington Way, SE18 5NR
- How much: from £12 per person off-peak
Tucked away in South London, The Reach Climbing Wall is a sprawling indoor playground for climbers of all levels. Since opening in 2010, it's been offering some of the biggest and best walls south of the river. With over 300 boulder problems (including a roof and traverse wall), 81 top-roping lines, 64 lead routes, and 12 auto-belays, there’s something for everyone - from total beginners to seasoned crushers tackling 15m endurance climbs.
The centre was born from a passion for adventure and accessibility, originally set up in 2003 to provide outdoor activities for all ages, with a special focus on supporting disadvantaged young people. That community spirit is still at the heart of it, making it not just a climbing gym, but a place where everyone is welcome to push their limits and have a great time doing it.
Indoor rock climbing in London? Reach for the skies at this centre.
Mile End Climbing Wall
- Where: Haverfield Road, E3 5BE
- How much: £10 per concession, £14.50 per adult
Searching for some rock climbing? East London's got plenty of gems and Mile End Climbing Wall is one of them. Run by the charity Development Through Challenge, every climb here supports opportunities for youth groups, vulnerable young people, and those with special educational needs. Housed in a converted pipe engineering works within Mile End Park, this legendary centre has been bringing London’s climbers together since 1986. With around 16,000 sq. ft of climbing surface, it caters to everyone - from complete beginners to seasoned pros.
Expect extensive bouldering, top-rope and lead climbing, plus advanced training areas like The Board Room and the iconic Monkey House. The vibe? Relaxed, social, and welcoming. Whether you’re here for a course, a coaching session, a Queer Climb meetup, or even a Reel Rock movie night, you’ll find a strong community spirit alongside top-class climbing. There’s even a sauna for that post-climb wind-down.
Hit up Mile End Wall's socials to hang out - literally.
Looking for more fun? Check out our guide to high-adrenaline and adventure activities in London.
