Learn to Climb at Big Rock in Milton Keynes

Get the buzz from reaching the top!

Looking for a low impact, engaging workout that you can try on your own, with you friends or even with your kids? You’ve just found it. For many people roped climbing is the most exciting aspect of indoor climbing since it provides the enjoyment of climbing movement with the exhilaration of climbing high. It’s a great way to keep in shape without actually feeling like you’re doing exercise, giving you a full body workout at a level specific to your ability.

Unlike low-level bouldering where the focus is more on athletic movement, roped climbing provides a more subtle workout with the emphasis on endurance rather than strength. It may not be as physically demanding as bouldering, but climbing high up the walls does introduce a psychological aspect which must be mastered to succeed! It’s also a great stress buster since it requires you to focus your mind entirely on your body movements.

Roped climbing does require rope management climbing skills to keep you safe and it is essential that you understand and are fully competent in the correct techniques required to safely manage the risks involved. All newcomers to roped climbing must undergo instruction, but once you complete this you’ll be able to use the roped climbing areas and the bouldering areas at Big Rock.

Tempted? Get started with one of our Learn to Climb Courses! Each includes a Welcome Pack worth over £100!*

  • Learn to Climb Course (min. age 18) £100 per person. Includes a total of 8 hours of instruction over two 4-hour or four 2-hour sessions at the same time every week.

  • Family Learn to Climb Course (min. age 7) from £150 per family. Includes 8 hours in total delivered in four sessions at the same time every week, on over three session in one week during school holidays.

  • Private Learn to Climb and Private Family Learn to Climb courses are also available.

Got a question? Find the answer here.

Yes. Book onto a Learn to Climb Course and we’ll get you started. Climbing at Big Rock is very sociable and a great way to meet new people. Roped climbing does require a partner to keep you safe, but once you have completed your course, we run social climbing sessions every week that will offer you the chance to meet up with other climbers.

Advance booking is required for Learn to Climb Courses and can be done using our simple to use online booking system. Our booking system operates in real time so you can check current availability and select any available session.

No. Unlike regular gyms, Big Rock is operated on a pay as you go basis. You don’t need to sign up to any contracts to use the centre, and once you have completed your Learn to Climb Course, you can use Big Rock at any time upon payment of our standard day pass fee – see our current rates HERE. On completion of a Learnt to Climb course we’ll also give you one month of free unlimited climbing!

Fear of heights is very natural and it is what makes climbing so safe. Climbing is all about controlling this fear and your instructors will be sensitive to this. With the help of your instructor, take things step by step and you will be surprised at what you can achieve.

Climbing is easier if you are wearing loose fitting comfortable clothing that allows freedom of movement. Jeans, combat trousers or tracksuit bottoms combined with a short sleeved t-shirt or vest are ideal. It is also a good idea to bring a jumper for wearing when resting. Avoid wearing jewellery around your arms or hands.

Welcome Pack worth over £100!

Yes. You read that correctly. To help newcomers to the sport really get involved, we offer 1 month free unlimited climbing for everyone who successful completes our Learn to Climb or Family Learn to Climb Courses. And there aren’t even any annoying terms or conditions. You can literally climb at Big Rock whenever you want, for as long as you want within the 1 month period, although the offer does exclude equipment hire and all instructed sessions. Your Welcome Pack also includes £15 off in the gear shop, 2 free entries, 1 guest pass & 10% off an Intro to Lead course.

Learn to Climb at Big Rock in Milton Keynes
Learn to Climb at Big Rock in Milton Keynes
Learn to Climb at Big Rock in Milton Keynes
Learn to Climb at Big Rock in Milton Keynes

Sounds good… how do I book?

We run Learn to Climb Courses every week, during weekday evenings and also at weekends. You can book right here using our simple to use online booking system. Our online booking system operates in real time so you can check current availability and select any available session.

Step 1:

Check times and availability using our online calendar and book your Learn to Climb Course.

LEARN TO CLIMB COURSE

£100/ person
  • Includes Welcome Pack worth over £100*
  • Roped climbing & bouldering instruction
  • Minimum age 18
  • ADVANCE BOOKING REQUIRED

*Upon successful completion of the course. Welcome Pack includes a 1-month pass, £15 off in the gear shop, 2 free entries, 1 guest pass & 10% off an Intro to Lead course.

Or get started with our hugely popular Family Learn to Climb Course. One of the great things about climbing is that it doesn’t matter what your ability is or how old you are. Parents and children can enjoy exercising together and the feeling of satisfaction from reaching the top is the same for everyone.

FAMILY LEARN TO CLIMB COURSE

from £150/ family**
  • Includes Welcome Pack worth over £100*
  • Roped climbing & bouldering instruction
  • Minimum age 7
  • ADVANCE BOOKING REQUIRED

*Upon successful completion of the course. Welcome Pack (per adult) includes a 1-month pass (per participant) plus £15 off in the gear shop, 2 free entries, 1 guest pass & 10% off an Intro to Lead course.

**Price for 1 adult & 1 child.
Additional child +£50. Additional adult +£100.
Maximum 2 children per adult.

Step 2:

The course covers all the climbing basics and will provide you with the skills, experience and confidence to use the roped climbing walls and the bouldering areas at Big Rock safely and unsupervised.

Step 3:

After completing your course you’re ready to go! You can now visit Big Rock at any time and go climbing unsupervised upon payment of our standard day pass fee – see our current rates HERE. Unlike regular gyms, Big Rock is operated on a pay as you go basis so you don’t need to sign up to any contracts to use the centre.

If you become a regular user and want to save money, we do offer 10 entry pass deals that allow reduced rate entry at any time for a total of 10 visits with an advance payment, or unlimited membership deals. Please ask at reception for further details.

Private Learn to Climb Courses

Our Private Learn to Climb courses run over a minimum of 4 sessions which can be booked for day and time that suits you, especially useful if your availability changes week to week.

PRIVATE LEARN TO CLIMB COURSE

From £30/ person per session*
  • Roped climbing & bouldering instruction
  • Includes Welcome Pack worth over £100!
  • Minimum age 18
  • Private Instruction
  • Min. 2 [off-peak] or 3 [peak] people, max. 6*
  • ADVANCE BOOKING REQUIRED

PRIVATE FAMILY LEARN TO CLIMB COURSE

From £30/ person per session*
  • Roped climbing & bouldering instruction
  • Includes Welcome Pack worth over £100!
  • Minimum age 7
  • Private Instruction
  • Min. 2 [off-peak] or 3 [peak] people, max. 6*
  • ADVANCE BOOKING REQUIRED

*At least 4 sessions may be required to complete the course. Min. 2 [off-peak] or 3 [peak] people, max. 6. Peak rates apply after 5pm on weekdays, and any time during weekends, bank holidays and school holidays.

Already completed the course but not climbed for a while?

If you’re returning to climbing after a break, you might find you’re feeling a bit rusty when it comes to roped techniques, or maybe you’ve lost some confidence.

Whether you’re a recently signed-off belayer or have years of experience, taking some time to review your skills under the guidance of an instructor with a Roped Climbing Refresher can give you, and your climbing partner, more confidence and a safer return to climbing.

During this private session we’ll assess your skills, brush up on your technique, and get you back to climbing confidently and safely. Your session could cover a range of different belay techniques and perhaps introduce some new ones. You could also explore the range of belay devices with an opportunity to try them out, and learn how to use devices such as the Edelrid Ohm (especially useful when there is a significant weight difference between climber and belayer).

These 1.5 hour top-roping only sessions are available to book privately (minimum 2 people, maximum 4), or for a more advanced session that includes lead climbing, give us a call to discuss your requirements and book.

ROPED CLIMBING REFRESHER

£27/ person*
  • Top roping skills**
  • Minimum age 18
  • 1.5 hours
  • Private Instruction
  • ADVANCE BOOKING REQUIRED

*Minimum 2 people, maximum 4.
** Top rope only. Contact us for a lead belaying refresher.

FAMILY ROPED CLIMBING REFRESHER

£27/ person*
  • Top roping skills**
  • Ages 7+
  • 1.5 hours
  • Private Instruction
  • ADVANCE BOOKING REQUIRED

*Minimum 2 people, maximum 4.
** Top rope only. Contact us for a lead belaying refresher.

Testimonials.

Still unsure? Read what our customers are writing about us!

I did a taster last year which I enjoyed so much that I decided to do the Learn to Climb Course as well. The instructor was absolutely fantastic; fun, informative, thorough, and professional. The course was enjoyable and gave me full confidence to start climbing and belaying unsupervised. I have since been climbing here once or twice a week and I adore it. It’s fun, challenging, great exercise, and a friendly atmosphere. Big Rock just has a really nice vibe with everyone helping each other out, offering guidance, and congratulating you when you master a route.

Source: TripAdvisor

As someone who is afraid of heights I took this course to conquer it and learn the safety techniques so that I could take my child climbing. The instructors are great and thoroughly understand what would push you to achieve more and to get you fully versed in safety and good habits to climb well. I would recommend this course to anyone who wants to try climbing.

Source: TripAdvisor

I have just finished the Learn to Climb Course. Great value for money with 8 hours of instruction, entry to Big Rock, instruction and all equipment included. The course gives you everything you need to learn to climb with sufficient focus on safety so you finish with the important stuff lodged in your head and you know you are good to try it yourself. The course size was small so no-one gets lost in the crowd. Our instructor was excellent and has been friendly and helpful in my visits since, making me feel at home at Big Rock. There is always someone on hand who is more than happy to help or advise you, including your fellow climbers.

Source: TripAdvisor

I visited Big Rock to just take the kids and get a feel for the place and ended up doing the Learn to Climb Course with 5 of my friends and no experience at all. We all felt very welcome by the staff and had a brilliant time with an outstanding instructor who made us all feel very at ease. The course is a great way to lean and have fun along the way and for sure is worth its weight in gold. Big thanks to everyone there.

Source: TripAdvisor