Climbing Hut Ellesmere Port, Ellesmere Port

Illustration of Climbing Hut Ellesmere Port

Climbing Hut is a bouldering gym on Olympic Park off Poole Hall Road, which means short walls over deep mats and no ropes or harnesses to fiddle with. The main walls are for 11 and over, but there are two areas meant for children: Boulder Play, a space for under 5s with colourful low walls, pool noodles and a play tunnel, and Boulder Zoo, for 2 to 10 year olds. Both are parent-supervised, so you are in there with them.

Boulder Play is £12, or £6 at off-peak times, and under 2s are free. Boulder Zoo is £12 a session. If a child gets hooked there is a ladder to climb: NICAS Wild Climbers for 3 to 7s, the Mountain Goats induction for 7 to 10s, and holiday clubs for over 7s at £50 a day. It opens 10am to 10pm on weekdays and 9am to 8pm at weekends.

It is a proper climbing gym, not a soft play with holds bolted on, so the adults around you will be serious about it. That is half the appeal for an eight-year-old.

What it costs: Boulder Play (under 5s) £12, or £6 off-peak, under 2s free. Boulder Zoo (under 11s) £12 a session. Main walls: adults £14, 11 to 17s £12. Kids' courses £15 to £16.50 a session; Mountain Goats induction (7 to 10) £32, or £15 for Ultimate Pass holders; holiday club (7+) £50 a day or £200 a week.

Know before you go

Fill in the waivers online before you go; nobody climbs without one.
Seven to ten year olds who have outgrown Boulder Zoo can do the Mountain Goats induction (£32, or £15 with an Ultimate Pass), which moves them on to the main walls.
Under 3s have their own Boulder Tots sessions on Mondays and Fridays.

Worth knowing: Main walls 11+; Boulder Zoo up to 10; Boulder Play under 5s; parent supervision in the kids' areas.

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