Our courses and clubs cater for a wide range of abilities. We can take you from the very first indoor climb to routes on crags around the UK and abroad.
We provide fully equipped and instructed activities for a wide range of groups including youth, schools, family, corporate, and fundraising.
Our courses can meet the requirements of GCSE for schools and we are a primary centre for the delivery of the National Indoor Climbing Award Sheme (NICAS), a great way to develop and award young climbers.
The following pages should help you to book and prepare for an instructed visit, whatever your requirement. If you need something that is not included here, please call our instruction line on:
Our clubs are for young climbers from 7 to 17 years of age and will take climbers from the very first indoor climb to skilled, safe use of the centre. We welcome all abilities and many of our past club members have gone on to become independent and experienced climbers.
We deliver the National Indoor Climbing Award Scheme which provides an excellent tool for structured development and recognition of a young climber’s achievements.
Please book your club session one week in advance of attendance. We cannot take additional climbers on the day once the maximum number has been reached.
Spider Club
Age 7 to 11 years
Saturday 10.30-12.30 (Maximum 24 climbers)
Saturday 13.00-15.00 (Maximum 8 climbers)
Sunday 10.30-12.30 (Maximum 16 climbers)
A fun introduction to climbing, regular attendance will enable the young climber to gain experience and progress through the NICAS award scheme to level 3. No experience is required and climbers will progress towards safe top rope climbing and bouldering. Come along for a one off visit then book blocks of sessions for each school term.
£14 per person / per session
£12 per person / per session block booking
Young Climbers Club
Age 11 to 17
Thursday 19.00- 21.00 (Maximum 16 climbers)
Sunday 10.30-12.30 (Maximum 8 climbers)
Offering climbing, skills consolidation, NICAS progression, links with outdoor climbing and the opportunity to meet other young climbers. This club offers young climbers a good depth of experience at the start of their climbing career. Top rope climbing, bouldering, leading, Green Card training and assessment can all be included. No experience required.
£12 per person / per session
Foundry Academy
Thursday 19.00 – 21.00 (Maximum 8 climbers)
Sunday 10.30-12.30 (Maximum 8 climbers)
This parent organised club is for young climbers who have a specific interest in competitive indoor climbing. Most climbers will have spent time in the Spider or Young Climbers Club and have achieved NICAS level 3. Time is spent coaching technical movement and training - with the goal of grade improvement. Parents co-ordinate to arrange squads for local and regional competitions
£15 per person / per session
Leading Sessions
Thursday 19.00 - 21.00
Sunday 10.30 – 12.30
After progressing through top rope climbing and bouldering many young climbers want to take their first steps as a lead climber. When this should happen is a decision shared by the young climber, parents and instructors and these sessions provide an opportunity to learn the skills in a structured and controlled way. After several sessions in this club and on reaching NICAS level 4 the young person will be able to return to our house clubs as a lead climber.
£20 per person / per session
Birthday Party
1.5 hours
Age 7 + years
A climbing party is a great way to celebrate a special occasion, fun and memorable with the emphasis on keeping everyone busy and involved. We can also arrange for the café to cater for you.
£14 per climber (minimum charge of 6 climbers)
To book a session please call the instruction line on 07786332702 between 9am-5pm Monday to Friday
No experience is required for this four week course that will take you from the very basics to competent, safe use of the climbing wall. With plenty of time on the rock you will progress quickly and then perhaps join the Foundry Climbing Club for future visits.
£80 for 4 x 2 hour sessions
Foundry Climbing Club
Wednesday 7-9pm
Sunday 1-3pm (October – May)
Having gained the basic indoor climbing skills, many of our intro climbers stay around and join the Foundry Climbing Club. With regular sessions, instructors to keep an eye on your development and lots of other climbers to meet you will gain experience and confidence. We also go climbing outside with regular trips to The Peak during the summer season.
£15 per week
Leading Sessions
Wednesday 7 – 9pm
Sunday 1 – 3pm (October- May)
Leading sessions are for anyone who wants to take the next step, you just need to have been top roping routes of 5+ grade and belaying for some time. We teach leading at the same time as our Foundry Climbing Club, so there is an opportunity to step out of the club for a few weeks and focus on the skills of leading in a controlled way. Having consolidated for a few weeks, you can re-join the club as a lead climber.
£100 4 x 2 hour sessions
Group Booking
1.5 hours
If you have 6 or more adults you can book a fun introduction to climbing tailored to meet the requirements of your group. We will make sure that you spend the maximum time on the walls and get to understand the basic belaying techniques.
£18 per person
To book a session please call the instruction line on 07786332702
A climbing party is a great way to celebrate a special occasion, fun and memorable with the emphasis on keeping everyone busy and involved. We can also arrange for the café to cater for you.
£14 per climber (minimum charge of 6 climbers)
School and youth groups
1.5 hours
A fun introduction session for a group of young people or a series of visits that progress through all the basic skills of indoor climbing. We can also link these activities to GCSE or NICAS and can help the climbers to record their learning.
£14 per person (minimum group of 6)
Adult Group Booking
1.5 hours
If you have 6 or more adults you can book a fun introduction to climbing tailored to meet the requirements of your group. We will make sure that you spend the maximum time on the walls and get to understand the basic belaying techniques.
£18 per person
Team Challenge
Ideal for corporate groups, sports teams and clubs this 2 hour event includes 10 challenges for teams of around 5 or 6 people. With points for climbing, safety, support, communication and problem solving it’s a great way to encourage teamwork.
£24 per person (minimum 12)
Fundraising Challenge
We can arrange a fundraising event for your charity or club. Working around the theme of climb the height of Ben Nevis, Monte Blanc or Everest your group of fundraisers will climb and record routes until the magic height is reached!
Contact us for prices!
To book a session please call the instruction line on 07786332702 beween 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday.
We offer indoor and outdoor climbing sessions for young people from the ages of 8 to 18, with concessionary group rates available for bookings during school hours [between 10.00 & 16.00, Monday to Friday in term-time].
Introductory Climbing Experience: As an introduction to indoor climbing. Rock climbing is an excellent activity for children / young people. It provides adventure and challenge at their own level and is accessible to all. Climbing sessions can be adapted for disabled participants and allow a broad mix of abilities to work together.
Climbing Skills Development: To develop skills & techniques. Having experienced an introductory session many groups will want to progress by developing their skills and technique, possible as a step towards awards or assessment, or as part of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.
Key Skills Development & Team Buidling: Personal and team development through climbing. Sessions can be adapted to focus on specific key skills. Climbing is an excellent vehicle for the development of confidence, responsibility, communication and coordination.
Risk Recognition, Assessment & Control: Developing a recognition of risk and the ability to quantify and control risk. These abilities are essential skills that all young people should develop. Instructional staff are highly experienced in the management of risk and can help young people develop a more risk aware [rather than risk averse] approach.
National Indoor Climbing Achievement Scheme: NICAS
This progressive scheme acredits achievement in indoor climbing with 5 award levels requiring the development of proficiency in climbing.
GCSE PE
Preparation for and assessment of the climbing option for GCSE PE. When coached by experienced instructional staff, outdoor pursuits have consistently given higher than average attainment allowing candidates to gain higher grades at GCSE.
We also deliver a range of outdoor activities and specific courses for schools, including group residential accommodation, please call our office to discuss a session or programme designed specifically for your group.
TheNational Indoor Climbing Achievement SchemeNICASis a UK wide scheme designed to introduce individuals to climbing on artificial structures and to accredit their achievements.
It provides a structure and motivation for climbers to develop their skills in order that they may gain the most out of their climbing, as well as having achievements recognised.
The scheme comprises five levels of award aimed at complete novices to expert climbers:
1 Foundation Climber Entry level aimed at novices to recognise their ability to climb safely under supervision.
2 Top Rope Climber: Aimed at promoting good practice in climbing and bouldering unsupervised on an artificial wall.
3 Technical Climber: A more advanced top roping and bouldering level that focuses on developing technique and movement skills.
4 Lead Climber: Concentrates on the skills required to both lead climb and belay a lead climber.
5 Advanced Climber: The top level that focuses on improving performance, a deeper understanding of climbing systems and the wider world of climbing.
At The Foundry we recommend NICAS for all young novice and developing climbers. Parents are encouraged to be involved and understand the NICAS process to support their young climbers.
For more information on NICAS click any of the links contained within this page.
For enquiries or to make a booking, please call our instruction line on 07786332702 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday.
You can also send us an email:
We normally expect 7 days notice for group and club bookings, but we will always try to fit you in if we can.
Please wear loose flexible clothing for easy movement and flat training shoes for your first visit. We recommend that your first purchase should be a good pair of climbing boots if you decide that climbing is for you.
All sessions include entry to the centre, equipment hire, instruction and liability insurance.
You must make the instructor aware of any special medical or physical needs as we can then adjust the session to take these needs into account.
Junior groups must be accompanied by an adult who will remain with the group and be responsible for their behaviour throughout the session. We require a list of all group members (name, address, post code & emergency contact number) for insurance purposes.
Payment should be made by cash, cheque or official purchase order – we cannot accept credit or debit cards. A deposit of 50% is required for groups, parties & events.
