Well I'm an experienced climber of many years and I've been climbing here for a while now and find it pretty dam good,I think it's Ideal for beginers and more ex climbers alike.
The previous older comments are regarding the old Barden which was a fantastic bouldering venue and will be sadly missed by many. I usually believe that if you haven't got anything good to say, then say nothing at all but having recently visited the 'new barden' i have to voice my dissapointment. Firstly it is now lead climbing only- no bouldering but is only about 6m high with 18 or so routes, none of which being much harder than an F5. The wall is open onto a corridor of the new college right infront of the toilets. It is now run as a commercial venture and membership is £10. Entrance will be £3.50 in november. When we visited, it looked like we were the first people to ever climb on it as there were no other chalk marks and although this is a criticism of entreprise who constructed the wall and not of the venue itself, i'd say 50% of the holds were loose and span on us. So, in my opinion, what was supposed to be an improvement to a facility in the community has actually left us without a quality place to climb locally. I'll try to end on a positive note- the wall is good for children who have never climbed before, providing they tighten those spinners up!
Please note: According to the woman at the school at which the wall is sited, you have to book ahead, and be a member of the BCA to use the wall, so don't just turn up (as I did) and expect to get in.
Crackin place and wkd people. lookin forward to the expansion and future addition of a lead wall... the bouldering alone is second to none for variety and difficulty. Lovin it!
sam millington
8 Dec, 2006
the wall is small but has alot of good problems to solve and the overhang is very hard . plus it got me hooked on climbing , and the staff and locals are a nice lot