Why this one made the list
Tuesday Climb Club with Wanderers of Colour; community parties with DJs; East London's newest mid-sized indie.
Practical
- Address
- 234 High Street, Stratford, London, E15 2JA
- Postcode
- E15 2JA
- Cost
- £16.50 peak / £13.50 off-peak day pass
- First visit
- Complete the online pre-registration form and watch the safety video before you visit. Expect safety questions at the desk before you climb.
- Website
- https://citybouldering.co.uk/locations/city-bouldering-stratford
What you'd want to know
Two-floor bouldering gym on Stratford High Street, occupying a converted commercial unit near the Olympic Park. Ground floor holds the main climbing wall, café area and a 16x12-foot Kilter Board. Plywood climbing walls in slab, vertical and overhang painted off-white behind, with brightly coloured holds in red, blue, yellow and green. Down-climb holds and low-reach circuits visible at floor level. Café counter to the front with timber tables, plywood bar stools and a chalkboard menu. First floor (stairs only) holds the training area, free-weights gym and a long traverse wall. Concrete ceiling and exposed ducting overhead; recessed strip lighting throughout. Mid-grey crash matting on both levels.
Overheard
- the tuesday climb club with wanderers of colour is the way in if you're new — turn up at 7pm, you don't have to know anyone.
- weekly womens+ social and beginner social run on a fixed roster. check the events page before booking your first session.
- 150 problems across two floors — the kilter board is downstairs, the training rig and free weights are up. don't try to do both round one.
- weekend afternoons can fill up. tuesday before the social, or weekday mornings, is where you'll get the floor empty.
- the staff actually walk new climbers through the colour grades. ask at reception which colour to start on, they'll point you.