UKC

I've got the joy of spending a week working in Slough soon and looking for nearby options to entertain myself for an evening.

I've recently returned to climbing after a 20 year break. I've got muscle memory but no muscles! Looking for some local feedback on good walls that have enough variety in the V2 V3 level for one or two evening sessions of 60-90 minutes.  I live in Sheffield so currently spoilt for choice!

I've looked on line but it's hard to know what's worth a visit around there. I'll be in a van so ideally not somewhere in a LEZ, and parking a bonus.

Any recommendations?

Blue Spider is in Guildford but it is mainly top-roping and lead climbing.

White Spider in Tolworth has all three including bouldering on two floors - they have circuit problems for example V0-V2 and V1-V3.

S

30 years ago I'd have said Brunel University, no idea if that's still in existence!

I think there's a wall in Reading which is probably easier to get to than Guildford, from Slough. 

The Reading climbing wall (Parthian Reading) is easy to get to from the M4 and has around 10 autobelays (say 30 routes across the grades) which are imaginative and well set, as well as a good bouldering area and a lot of roped climbing. You won’t run out of things to do!

Oakwood is probably your best bet, or Climbing Hangar in Reading though they've had issues with flooding recently so I'd check they're open before travelling. Bouldering at Parthian in Reading isn't great.

I went to Oakwood from Datchet a few times. Good bouldering wall.

Thanks!  Sounds like a few good options.

My harness must be at least 20 years old, if not more so definitely needs relegating to weighted pull up duties (I can dream). Since my current climbing partner is 30kg (and 12), and I'm not 70kg any more, he won't be belaying me so I was not going to replace it, and stick to bouldering for now...

But the mention of auto belays might change things. I am tempted to pick up a new harness as the Foundry has auto belays and roped stuff too. I popped back in there recently. I almost lived there in the 90s so keen to go back, but won't be clipping the main overhang any time soon...

Oakwood is the answer. It's a big place and really easy from the M4.

Bouldering at Parthian is pretty limited and getting to the hangar from that side would be no fun. 

Oakwood looks to be 35 mins from my hotel and under 30 from where I'll be working so very doable.

Cheers!