My eldest Mini Mumbler is a huge climbing fan so when we got invited to the brand new Clip n Climb in Leeds for a sneak peek (opening Saturday 26th May) she was beyond excited – and it didn’t disappoint!
Clip n Climb Leeds is in Holbeck and there is plenty of parking onsite. As soon as we entered the building you could see all the children’s jaws drop and the hyper levels went through the roof at seeing the colourful array of climbing structures just waiting to be scaled. Children need to be 4+ to climb the main sessions but no previous climbing experience is needed. They will be running Tots sessions in the future which will be for children aged 2.5 and over (keep an eye on the Clip n Climb Leeds Facebook page for more details)
The children got kitted out in their climbing harnesses, the staff showed them how to get in and checked all children. They then watched a short safety video which outlined the do’s and dont’s when climbing and the staff then ran through this with the children to ensure it was all understood.
Once in the climbing area, Mini Mumbler didn’t know where to start with the 32 individually designed walls to try! All the walls are unique, bright and inviting, they each pose different challenges with something for all abilities with the main aim of having fun! The walls each have a name which describes the theme of the climb or the technique that is required to climb such as Spaghetti Junction, Dome Chimney and Steelworks to name a few!
The instructors were on hand to help the more nervous climber or provide pointers if needed and were all very friendly and encouraging. The clipping on system (Belay Mate) can be done by the child (Mini Mumbler needed a few times to be shown how to get it off) which means you can transfer from wall to wall quickly.
If you want an added challenge there are two more extreme challenges, the Stairway to Heaven and the Vertical Drop Slide. Mini Mumbler was straight on the Stairway to Heaven (she has no fear, I couldn’t watch!) and it took a couple of attempts but she mastered it! The 9-metre vertical drop is a different level! Children have to be over 1.2 metres to use the slide which basically involves getting pulled up the slide as far as you want to go and dropping vertically down! It got a massive thumbs up from the Mini Mumbler and was great to watch, lots of fun for adults too! (*The vertical slide is an additional cost)
Climbing sessions are 90 minutes with 30 minutes for the safety briefing and harnessing and 60 minutes climbing.
The Woodpecker diner serves homemade pizza, pasta, cakes and a variety of hot and cold drinks and is an ideal place to watch from. There was an area with a few toys and colouring for younger children. There is also a dedicated party area.
After saying just two more climbs about ten times, I eventually dragged Mini Mumbler out while all the time she was asking when she could come back, it certainly got the thumbs up from her. We will definitely be visiting Clip n Climb again soon.
Clip n Climb Leeds opens Saturday 26th May for more details on the sessions visit the website. https://leeds.clipnclimb.co.uk/about-us/
Unit 3, Tristram Centre, Brown Lane West, Leeds, LS12 6BF
Tel: 0113 245 8723
Disclosure: We attended this session for free with our sister site Wharfedale Mumbler but we always provide honest reviews. We really enjoyed our visit and this blog is our own honest opinion.
