Experience the best of rock climbing in Birmingham at these 7 facilities
I got hooked the first time I tried rock climbing. It was my cousin who took me to a bouldering facility, and I’ve been climbing ever since. However, I initially thought that Birmingham didn’t have many rock climbing facilities.
But I’m glad to have been proven wrong. I discovered that it’s actually a pretty big thing in this city.
However, these aren’t your typical facilities; they feature challenging routes, top-notch coaching sessions, and other excellent amenities that climbers need for a fantastic climbing experience.
These are the best rock climbing spots in Birmingham that I can recommend.
1. Depot Climbing Birmingham
Media from depotbirmingham
Website: https://www.depotclimbing.co.uk/birmingham/
Location: 10 Sherlock St
Contact: +44 121 798 1925
Hours: Monday to Friday: 6 AM – 10 PM | Saturday to Sunday: 9 AM – 9 PM
Price: £
Depot prides itself on being “run by climbers for climbers.” It’s likely why it emphasises the social aspect of climbing.
In fact, you can join Depot’s fun, instructor-led social climbs, whether you avail yourself of a single-entry pass at £12.50 or secure an unlimited one, starting at £39.
You can also join the facility’s Social Night sessions, which are free of charge and include a tasty brew at the start—on the house, of course! These are informal, fun-filled sessions for climbers of all sizes and skill levels, but are supervised by the facility’s instructors.
But while this rock-climbing venue wants you to enjoy the social aspect of climbing, they have something in case you want to level up your climbing game. They offer instructed climbing for adults and juniors who want to improve their climbing skills.
Pro Tip:
If you’re a regular climber, look to purchase Depot’s climbing passes. A one-year pass at £39 a month gets you unlimited use of Depot Climbing Birmingham and access to the seven other Depot branches in the Midlands and North West.
2. Creation Climbing Centre
Media from creationclimbingcentre
Website: https://creationwall.co.uk/
Location: 582 Moseley Rd, Balsall Heath
Contact: +44 121 449 8000
Hours: Monday to Friday: 10 AM – 10 PM | Saturday to Sunday: 10 AM – 6 PM
Price: ££
What’s so cool about Creation Climbing Centre is their Indoor Cave System, the only one in Birmingham to date. This unique cave replica lets you experience what rock climbing in a cave is like.
Another cool feature of this facility is its Taster Sessions. These supervised climbs (£15 per person) are a perfect introduction to climbing. They’re great for beginners, groups seeking adventure, and families searching for a new bonding experience.
It’s also nice that the facility is very kid-friendly. The staff conducts assessments for kids looking to climb and offers introductory courses that start at £80 for a two-hour session.
Additionally, this spot offers a Youth Academy to help climbers aged 7-17 get up to speed in the sport of climbing.
Pro Tip:
Book a weekday session at Creation Climbing Centre for fewer crowds and more wall time. It’s perfect for levelling up your technique without the wait.
3. Redpoint Birmingham Climbing Centre
Media from redpointbirmingham
Website: https://www.redpointbirmingham.co.uk/
Location: 77 Cecil St
Contact: +44 121 359 1777
Hours: Monday to Friday: 10 AM – 10 PM | Saturday to Sunday: 10 AM – 6 PM
Price: ££
Redpoint boasts a sheer number of services. At the top of the list are the outdoor activities, starting with the popular First Steps course. It’s an introduction to outdoor climbing at the Gritstone edges.
Additionally, this rock-climbing destination offers bouldering on cliffs below five metres and sports climbing. These fun and exciting activities are crucial to developing into confident and skilled rock climbers.
The facility also has activities specifically for children aged 17 and below. The Rock Monkey Kids Climbing tutorials, in particular, are a favourite of local kids. Meanwhile, under-18 outdoor climbing is a hit among teens.
Pro Tip:
If you’re still working to be an expert climber, take Redpoint’s month-long learn-to-move classes. These sessions will help you master all the movements you’ll need to be great at climbing.
4. Birmingham Bouldering Centre
Media from birminghamboulderingcentre
Website: https://www.birminghamboulderingcentre.com/
Location: 30/31 Water St
Contact: +44 121 236 0533
Hours: Monday to Friday: 12 PM – 10 PM | Saturday to Sunday: 11 AM – 6 PM
Price: ££
Birmingham Bouldering Centre is a local favourite among avid rock climbers. That’s because it features challenging climbing walls that are regularly updated to ensure they remain fresh and difficult to conquer.
It also features well-equipped training areas, ideal for rock climbers at intermediate and advanced levels. There’s even a separate warm-up zone to ensure everyone’s properly warmed up before hitting the boulders.
Like the other facilities on this list, Birmingham Bouldering Centre offers climbing lessons for climbers at all skill levels. Depending on preference and skill level, these can be one-on-one coaching or group technique workshops.
Pro Tip:
For the full Birmingham Bouldering Centre experience, hit up their Wednesday Social Nights to meet fellow climbers over free snacks and challenges.
5. Flash Climbing Centre
Media from flashclimbingcentre
Website: https://flashclimbingcentre.co.uk/
Location: Vulcan Rd, Solihull
Contact: +44 121 709 5257
Hours: Monday to Friday: 12 PM – 10 PM | Saturday to Sunday: 10 AM – 6 PM
Price: ££
Flash Climbing Centre’s walls are mighty impressive. It offers over 180 routes, updated weekly. This means there’s always a new challenge to conquer every single week.
Additionally, they offer aerial silk classes. Aerial silk is a type of gravity-defying performance in which the artist manoeuvres in the air using two pieces of fabric suspended from a ceiling. Flash is the only climbing facility in Birmingham to offer this class.
Flash’s Griptonite is a nice touch as well. It’s a QR code you can scan at the start of every route to find info about it, get on the monthly leaderboard, and accumulate climbing stats. This provides climbers with an easy way to track their progress.
Pro Tip:
If you prefer to climb in peace and with few people around, check the Flash website first before going. Scroll down to see the “How Busy We Are” section to find out how many climbers are in the facility.
6. Ackers Adventure
Media from ackersadventure
Website: https://www.ackers-adventure.co.uk/
Location: C/O Ackers Adventure, Golden Hillock Rd, Small Heath
Contact: +44 121 772 5111
Hours: Monday: 10 AM – 4:30 PM | Tuesday and Friday: 10 AM – 9 PM | Wednesday: 10 AM – 8 PM | Thursday, Saturday and Sunday: 10 AM – 5 PM
Price: £
Ackers Adventure is a thrill-seeker’s haven. It’s also a rock climber’s paradise, featuring three climbing walls: The Crag, The Pyramid, and The Tower. The best part is that these walls span various grades, from basic to intermediate to advanced.
Thanks to these same walls, this outdoor facility is also a go-to spot for abseiling. If you’re new to sailing and want to learn how to do it, the staff have you covered too, with tutorials. If you need to raise money for charity, just tell Ackers, and they’ll run an off-site abseil just for you.
But what I appreciate most is that the facility offers a range of outdoor activities, including orienteering, kayaking, and snowboarding, in addition to rock climbing options. There’s also a breathtaking tower drop and an exhilarating zip line.
Pro Tip:
I suggest you book a combo of archery and canoeing at Ackers Adventure for a perfect land-and-water experience. It’s great value and a full day of fun!
7. Rock Up Birmingham
Media from rockupadventure
Website: https://www.rock-up.co.uk/locations/birmingham
Location: Broadway Plaza, 220 Ladywood Middleway
Contact: +44 121 271 0322
Hours: Monday to Wednesday, Friday: 10:30 AM – 8 PM | Thursday: 3:30 PM – 8 PM | Saturday: 9:30 AM – 8 PM | Sunday: 9:30 AM – 7 PM
Price: ££
An activity centre like Ackers Adventure, Rock Up Birmingham is known as a climbers’ delight because of its towering walls—26 of them, all at least eight metres high. I tried a few and quickly noticed that each wall offers a different challenge.
The facility’s solo climber pass is only £17.95 and includes a 30-minute briefing, safety review, and access to all climbing areas. It also covers the famous Leap of Faith attraction, where you jump off a platform onto a suspended bar.
As Rock Up is an activity centre, you can expect a variety of other activities to enjoy here. But for your fill of gravity-defying thrills, the Vertical Challenges are definitely for you. Aside from the Leap of Faith add-on, you can also try the Stairway to Heaven and the 26-foot vertical slide.
Pro Tip:
Got a little climber aged five or under? Head to Rock Up Birmingham on weekday mornings for their Toddler Climb and Play sessions, just £9.95 for 90 minutes of climbing and soft play.