UKC

Looks like I might be relocating to Newcastle for a six month contract, where do people recommend for training?

Sunderland wall for leading, Valley in ouseburn for bouldering.

Newcastle climbing centre is just below average at both, AND has beyond retarded rope/leading rules.

Only been once but the Valley seemed to have the basis for a really good training area. The main bouldering area is on the first floor and the training area is completely separated on the basement level.

It looked to have an excellent woody, fingerboard and campus board setup. There's a traversing wall that might be ok for getting a pump on, but it's not very high so not as good as a proper circuit board imo. Oh and the training area is only about 1/3rd full at the moment! Apparently they're gonna flesh it out further when there's some more money in the coffers.

Thanks guys, sounds like the valley will be my first port of call. I see they have pre-work opening times too so sounds ideal

Hey, I would add if you are near the city centre and are happy to devise your own problems then the Eldon/Berghaus wall (inside Intu Eldon Square) is a great extensive wall all on bendcrete so ideal if you are wanting to train for outside.  There is a facebook group with photos etc - msg me for info. 

Thanks Tim, interesting... I'll keep it in mind and check it out. Having been lucky enough to spend most of the last four years climbing full time on rock, I should probably concentrate on strength and conditioning while I'm working - but depending on the weather and how well I do at finding weekend partners, it might be good to play around on more rock-like surface every so often. Haven't climbed on bendcrete in a long time!

It's worth noting that climbnewcastle run two centres, The Pool (the original centre) and The Valley (The new place which 5 mins away). Pay for entry to one and you can visit both. Two for one!

Sunderland Wall has over 150 routes up to 23m high for leading. The bouldering wall has been massivley improved recently too.