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The Castle |
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Sod the gym. If you want a hot body and a raised heart beat get yourself to an indoor climbing wall. Jon Kirk, climber, news hound and former Chalk magazine editor, picks the best Click to view Top 5 British Climbing Walls.
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Best Atmosphere (The Castle, London) |
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 The place to climb in the capital, and rightly so. A former Victorian pumping station that attracts hundreds of new climbers each week because of the relaxed and encouraging vibe. Don’t let the evening queues put you off – its routes are worth the wait and you’ll be in good company. |
"A Vertical Hunting Ground" |
 Since it opened in 1995, more than 10,000 people have flocked here each month, creating a lively ambiance that forms the basis of camaraderie between climbers.
It is no doubt this friendly, easy-going atmosphere that has also earned the wall a (not-entirely unjustified) reputation as a vertical hunting ground for singles.
It’s “Babe city…they're everywhere, top totty,” according to one visitor’s comments on the webzine UK Climbing.
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Yet it’s not only the spirit of your surroundings that makes this wall worth a visit. Set over three floors in Stoke Newington’s former Victorian pumping station, The Castle sports a colossal 1,500sq metres of climbing surface.
This includes more than 900sq metres of bouldering with problems with a good range of difficulty (graded up to Font 8a), and almost 600sq metres of challenging roped climbing (with 40ft routes graded up to British 6c, F8a).
For novices, there are also a number of instruction courses on offer, including ‘Women With Attitude’, an informal women-only session, ‘The Geckos Club’ for children, as well as special ‘social climbing’ events for all occasions: socialclimbing@castle-climbing.co.uk
Gear hire is available from the wall’s shop, Urban Rock, while the café upstairs serves drinks and hot and cold food. |
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| Need to Know... |
 The closest Tube station, Manor House on the Piccadilly Line, is a five-minute walk away. Alternatively, grab a 141 or 341 bus. There is also ample off-street parking outside the entrance.
Better still, leave your bike in the enclosure out back, and have it serviced by The Castle’s own bicycle mechanic, www.bikemech.co.uk.
Opening times are between 2pm and 10pm Monday to Friday, and from 10am to 7pm weekends. For more information, visit www.castle-climbing.co.uk or email info@castle-climbing.co.uk |
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Pros -
Excellent atmosphere
Quality route setting
Cons -
Expensive entrance fee (£10)
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