Wycombe Leisure Centre Climbing Wall

Climbing at Wycombe Leisure Centre

Wycombe Leisure Centre at Handy Cross, run by Places Leisure with Buckinghamshire Council, has a roped climbing wall in its main hall alongside its gym, pools, sports hall and café. The wall has 17 roped lines, eight of which can be used with auto-belays, carrying more than 50 routes from 4+ to 7b. Professional setters reset the routes monthly.

Climbing independently

Climbers who pass the centre's safety test (fitting a harness, tying in and belaying) can climb whenever the wall is open without booking. There is a separate auto-belay-only level. Leading is allowed on the fixed quickdraws if you bring your own dynamic rope. Harnesses, shoes, chalk and belay devices can be hired. The minimum age for climbing independently is 14, and 14 to 16 year olds need ten supervised sessions first.

Sessions and courses

• Intro to climbing on the auto-belays and Rock Start sessions for adults working towards the safety test
• Cake & Climb social evenings on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with an instructor on hand to pair people up
• Adventure Climb taster sessions from age 4, and junior courses from Pebbles (4 to 6) upwards
• Private lessons, birthday parties and school and group sessions