Climbing walls in Hertfordshire and nearby – a complete list

Fancy going rock climbing in Hertfordshire? Nothing beats climbing outdoors on actual rock. But if you live in south east England, your rock climbing options are rather limited. I decided to take my kids to one of the climbing walls in Hertfordshire the other day and I couldn’t find a comprehensive list of places to go climbing in Hertfordshire so I decided to compile my own.

Until I reached out to a local Herts Facebook group, I hadn’t realised just how many Hertfordshire climbing walls we had. Climbing in Hertfordshire is mostly indoors but there’s a good range of “proper” climbing walls for people of all ages as well as the more kid-orientated colourful plastic climbing walls which have started springing up all over the country.

Hatfield climbing wall Hertfordshire — Hertfordshire Sports Village climbing wall

The most comprehensive climbing in Herts is at the Hemel climbing wall and the Herts Sports Village in Hatfield.

For each location on this list, I’ve detailed whether the wall has an auto-belay system (which means you don’t need another person to belay you so you can climb independently). I’ve also indicated the minimum age requirement and whether it’s indoors or outdoors.

If you know of a climbing wall in Hertfordshire which I have missed off my list, please do get in touch.

Looking for other family days out in Herts with kids? Check out my article about the best things to do in Hertfordshire and cool places to visit across Herts.

Table of Contents

XC climbing wall in Hemel Hempstead

Indoor climbing wall
Suitable from age 3
14 metre high wall
Auto-belay system and traditional roped routes

The XC Hemel climbing wall offers a full range of traditional top-roped rock climbing, leading and bouldering for experienced climbers as well as taster sessions and auto-belay routes.

XC Hemel climbing wall in Hertfordshire — XC Hemel climbing wall

Routes at the Hemel wall are reset regularly to give climbers new challenges and you can also bring your own rope for some of the routes.

Find out more about the climbing wall in Hemel Hempstead

St Albans climbing wall at Westminster Lodge – Everyone Active

Indoor climbing wall
12 metre high wall
Suitable from age 5
Auto-belay system and traditional roped routes

This climbing wall in St Albans offers both climbing and bouldering. You have the opportunity to improve your skills with one on one tutoring too.

climbing wall in St Albans Westminster Lodge — Climbing wall in St Albans at Westminster Lodge

The main climbing wall in St Albans is 12 metres high and the bouldering wall is 3.7 metres.

Find out more about the climbing wall in St Albans

Hertfordshire Sports Village climbing wall

Indoor climbing wall
Suitable from age 8
Roped routes and bouldering (no auto-belay)
12 metre high wall

This is a good choice for experienced climbers – there’s a good range of routes and an overhang section if you fancy a challenge.

Herts Sports Village climbing wall in Hatfield

Hatfield climbing wall offers training courses for kids and adults and special women-only sessions as well as one to one tuition if you want to hone your skills.

Find out more about climbing in Hatfield

Climb Hitchin climbing wall at the Priory School

Indoor climbing wall
Suitable from age 5
Roped routes
7.5 metres high

Climb Hitchin is a charity which uses the climbing wall at the Priory School in Hitchin. There are limited sessions so it’s essential to book ahead.

Rock climbing in Hitchin — Climbing wall in Hitchin, copyright Climb Hitchin

The routes are roped and you can lead climbs here too. Instruction and coaching is available.

Vertigo Adventures climbing wall at Stanborough Park

Outdoor climbing wall
Suitable from age 5
Auto-belay system

This climbing wall in Welwyn Garden City is part of Vertigo Adventures which has high ropes and zip wires too. It’s next to the pirate-themed splash park on the north side of Stanborough Park.

The wall is 30 feet high and looks like great fun for kids and adults alike.

Find out more about climbing at Stanborough

The Edge climbing wall at Westmill, near Ware

Outdoor climbing wall
Suitable from age 4
Auto-belay system
Max 4 people climbing at once

This outdoor climbing wall near Ware is our closest place to go rock climbing in Hertfordshire. It’s situated in an interesting outdoor pursuits centre which has a range of other activities on offer such as outdoor swimming, zorbing and high ropes.

The climbing wall at the Edge is a fairly small affair in that you can only have four people climbing on the tower shaped wall at any one time. It is 8.5 metres high and can be used by children as young as 4. It is a popular choice for children’s parties.

Find out more about the Edge climbing wall near Ware

Furzefield Leisure Centre climbing wall in Potters Bar

Indoor climbing wall
Suitable from age 4
Auto-belay system

This looks like a really fun family-friendly experience. It’s similar to the Clip and Climb and Rock Up style of climbing – with climbing walls featuring recreated sides of a house and other fun things to clamber up.

colourful climbing wall at Furzefield in Hertfordshire — Climbing wall at Furzefield Leisure Centre

This type of climbing has become really popular lately and it’s a really great way to introduce little children to the joys of climbing!

Find out more about the Furzefield climbing wall in Potters Bar

Find out more about the climbing wall in Hitchin

Rock Up Watford climbing wall

Indoor climbing wall
Minimum weight for kids 35lb or 15kg
auto-belay system

Rock up Watford is a bit like Clip and Climb. Routes are colourful and it’s very much a place to bring the kids on a rainy day. Our boys love it here – there are enough routes to keep them busy for a couple of hours. Some of the routes are really easy so your children will whizz up them while others offer a bit more of a challenge.

Find out more about the climbing wall at Rock Up Watford

Herts Young Mariners Base climbing wall in Cheshunt

Outdoor climbing wall
Only bookable by groups

The climbing wall at Herts Young Mariners Base looks great but it is only available to book as a group, ideally with a qualified climbing instructor. More details are available by emailing HYMB directly.

Outdoor climbing wall at Herts Young Mariners Base

Find out more about climbing at Herts Young Mariners Base

Watford Leisure Centre climbing wall

Unfortunately the Everyone Active climbing wall in Watford has been shut since the start of the pandemic and when I checked in May 2023 there were no plans to reopen it.

Climbing walls near Hertfordshire

Herts stretches a long old way so I’ve listed some of the climbing walls in neighbouring counties plus a few in London which are relatively accessible.