My new favourite bouldering centre

The Depot is my favourite bouldering centre after trying a few around Manchester, including Awesome Walls Stockport and Rockover.

The staff are incredibly friendly, and the route setting is consistently great. They’ve recently increased the frequency of re-setting easier grades, which has been a fantastic improvement, giving climbers more variety. The summer and winter bouldering leagues add an extra challenge with a fun, competitive edge.

The food is excellent, with delicious pizzas, loaded fries, and paninis—grabbing a slice of pizza and a coffee has become a weekly tradition for me!

Thursday nights feature a fantastic ‘ladies night,’ where women can meet up, climb together, and get coaching from experienced and encouraging staff. It’s a welcoming and supportive session with wonderful regulars.

The on-site shop is well-stocked with clothing and equipment, and the knowledgeable staff—all climbers themselves—are always happy to offer advice. For those looking to climb higher, the centre has several auto belays, each offering a range of routes at increasing difficulty levels.

While it can get busy, especially after resets, the space is large enough that you can usually find an unoccupied route. There are also yoga classes available, and the ‘climbing and yoga’ deal makes them a great value—Lara’s Thursday sessions are a fantastic way to wrap up a climb.

Overall, The Depot Manchester is a well-rounded centre with a great atmosphere, suitable for both beginners and experienced climbers alike. Highly recommended!