Kilnworx Climbing Centre

A climbing centre in an old church

Kilnworx is a community interest company that has turned the old church and school of Wycliffe Hall in Burslem into a climbing centre. It is the main roped wall in Stoke-on-Trent, with lines around 11 metres high and traverses of up to 15 metres.

Roped climbing

The centre lists more than 130 routes on 34 lines, graded from French 3 up to the 8s, with top ropes and lead lines on every wall. A handful of lines have no fixed quickdraws for practising leading on your own gear, and quickdraws can be hired at reception.

• Central wall: slabs, corners, arêtes and overhangs, with lead routes on the monolith.
• Back wall: two opposing overhangs and a high headwall.
• Side wall: about 8 metres high, a good place for novices.
• Traverse wall: eight routes for warming up and learning technique.

Bouldering and training

Two bouldering rooms run from slabs to a large cave with a stalactite feature. There is a MoonBoard set at 25 degrees with the 2019 hold set, which can be set to 40 degrees on request, and a training room.

Sessions and courses

Instructor-led taster and refresher sessions, a two-part introduction to climbing and an introduction to lead are bookable, along with weekend kids' club sessions for ages 6 to 16. Kilnworx also runs outdoor sessions at crags such as The Roaches and Windgather, and Mountain Training climbing wall and rock climbing instructor courses.