The Arch Climbing Wall

My boyfriend and I decided to sign up for the introductory lesson on a Saturday at 4 pm because we’d never gone rock climbing and wanted to give it a try. We figured we should at least learn the basics before jumping right in. On weekends, I believe they offer intro classes 3 times: 12, 2, and 4. I don’t know if there is a size limit, but our group was a total of 4. I think this is the perfect size. It was another couple and us.
The facility has changing rooms, toilets, and showers, although the day we went they were out of clean towels, so we weren’t able to shower. They also have lockers for use if you leave an ID.
Upon arrival, you have to fill out forms. Then we changed in the changing rooms and met our group for the lesson. It started about 10 minutes late. The instructor first led us up to the second floor sot hat we could stretch properly and get the blood flowing, particularly in the hands and legs. This was about 10 minutes or so. Then we went downstairs to the climbing area to give it a go. We went over to the beginner wall area and we first practiced how to jump off/​land properly in the event we ever needed to. Of course it is never recommended that you jump off, but rather that you climb back down. Inevitably, though, there are some times you have to and jumping/​landing safety is important. He explained the different nobs on the wall and what the colors meant. The explained different paths and levels. Then he demonstrated climbing a basic path and had each of us try it. We did this several times on increasingly difficult paths/​walls. He taught us about chalk, shoes, and also showed us one of the stretching/​muscle development walls where serious climbers try to tone their fingers, hands, and all kinds of muscles you don’t normally use.
The lesson lasted an hour and was really fantastic. I think it’s a great idea to take one of these if you’ve never climbed before. It really lays the groundwork. But then you’re free to stay and climb as long as you want. The lesson is 20 pounds per person and includes the hour long class, shoe rental, and climbing after the lesson.

For Building One–
Pluses:
1) fine bouldering gym with friendly staff, lots of different problems and a good training setup including traverse walls, rings, campus boards, climbing bars and stretching area.
2) Gear and coffee are reasonably priced.
3) The Arch managed to get my lapsed climbing buddy back into the sport and for nothing else I am grateful for that.
4) It’s close to town and convenient to get to.
5) Good tune selection on the stereo
6) Opens early closes late
Minuses:
1) At peak times there can also be large groups of people who stand around and watch their mate climb, which is a safety hazard because it limits the space to move around. As far as I know there isn’t a max limit of how many people admitted to the gym so really there’s nothing to disincentivise the front staff to pack people in. This wasn’t an issue with Biscuit next door but I can see it becoming so once Building One becomes the only Arch location in Bermondsey.
2) Also it can get very hot inside during the summer.
3) Sometimes the kids who run the front on Fridays/​weekends will give keys to a small locker when there are large lockers available, which seems senseless as it means more gear will be left out and could possibly be nicked.
4) Speaking from experience, don’t forget your water bottle as it will likely disappear forever.
NB: I would say that in the past the grading on some of the problems was more ‘confidence building’ than realistic (and have confirmed this with a climbing buddy during a recent session), recently though I have noticed that whoever is setting has upped the difficulty a bit and has started adding more crux moves into the routes.
Summary: Currently a total regular here due to multiple friends’ preference for this gym, but am now looking into other locations to mix things up a bit.

The secret is out! This is the best climbing spot in london. It has everything you need, from places to warm up, practice your technique, and chill out with a hot drink and a power bar. The equipment on sale is also very reasonably priced, especially when there is a sale on! Come and meet others who are passionate about the sport, especially the awesome staff.

The Arch is a fun climbing gym that specializes in bouldering (no top roping here).
They have over 200 mixed level problems on different terrains and inclines which they rotate every few weeks to keep people engaged (they bring some famous names to help them design the new routes) and they even made an app so you can track your progress.
The rest of the facilities include a dedicated stretching/​gym area with hangboards & fingerboards, low walls for traversing etc. Free showers & bathrooms which are always in excellent condition. And also a lounge area and a café were you can rest for as long as you like.
They also do plenty of lessons & workshops every week but i haven’t tried those. Finally, you can rent shoes & chalk if you don’t have your own and you can ask for a key for the free lockers.

This was a great find, recommended by a couple of friends who had started bouldering. It’s a sizeable place with plenty of routes (for bouldering only). It’s got a great atmosphere — really relaxed and fun. There’s an area for chilling out in, should you wish, and tea and coffee available.
It’s also got facilities, so you can shower, change, lock your stuff away and rent shoes or chalk. Basically, everything is really easy!
The routes change regularly and it’s clearly marked how difficult they are. I think there’s an app where you can check off which routes you have done, which sounds like a good idea though I haven’t used it.
There’s a good variety of walls. I’m no pro, but there is a mix of terrains, inclines and techniques and the types of routes cover all of them, so even if you’re a beginner you can take on diverse challenges so it isn’t tedious. I think it’s one of the reasons bouldering appeals to me — it requires logic and routes are different, so you need to keep thinking about your approach.
Top marks for atmosphere and size, probably the most important elements of a bouldering gym.
You can get one off entrances, monthly/​annual (and I think quarterly or six monthly) passes, or buy 10 entrances for a discount. You also get some vouchers if you take the introduction class there, which gives you a half price monthly pass, for example.

I love this place. Have been going here for two years now. The people are friendly. And you rub into so many helpful compatriots here, it is almost not difficult to not like this place.
It opens super early, which makes it ideal for me before I head to work. The problems are rotated often enough to keep you happy. And the consistency maintained by the setters is commendable.
The best part is, with another facility opening up at building one which is two minutes away, all covered under the same membership, it’d be crazy not to get one.

The Arch is my local climbing wall and it’s the biggest bouldering venue in London. Since January 2015 it’s comprised of two centres on the same complex which offer routes of varying difficulties (v0-​v8) and across a mix of different environments.
The staff are friendly and helpful and avid climbers themselves. Routes get reset every 6 – 8 weeks and both centres include a training area for those keen beans.
It’s a gym that offers solely bouldering with no options for top ropes or lead climbing but always good to work on your strength and technique.

The Arch is awesome! It has all difficulties. It was my very first time and I really enjoyed it. Will definitely come back.

The Arch is fantastic. I am relatively new to bouldering, but I’ve already been here 3 times and can’t fault the place.
The Arch is in a small industrial park in South Bermondsey, and is a gem of fun activity in an otherwise boring area with a lack of exciting pasttimes. A large space with very high ceilings, the first thing you notice upon entering is a cloud of chalk dust (at first I thought it was smoke!) that hangs heavy in the air, coupled with a background of usually great music ranging from hip hop, to disco to 1993 jungle classics.
The friendly staff are more than happy to sign you in, off peak entry (between 10am — 4pm Monday — Friday) is £7 and on peak entry (Weekends and 4pm — 10pm week days) is £10. Shoes can be rented for an additional £3 if you don’t own a pair, and chalk bags for an additional £1. Lockers are free, you just exchange your house key for a locker key.
There is a handy stretching area to warm up on, and once you’re out on the climbing space there is a raft of routes to choose from. Routes are marked out by coloured handholds, and once you have selected a route you are supposed to complete it using only the hand/​foothold colours corresponding to your selected route. That said, beginner climbers such as myself are encouraged to use other hand and footholds to complete their climbs, if it makes life easier.
There is an excellent range of climbing here, from beginner stuff on a straight vertical, to advanced overhangs and upside down climbing to really test your core and upper body strength. Climbing routes are set out by grades of difficulty, and a handy picture chart on one wall shows you the different grade levels each hold colour is. A weekly challenge circuit encourages climbers to push themselves to try new things.
A lot of the bouldering is pretty high up here, higher than I have seen at other places, but the crash mats are soft and provided you know how to fall safely, you will probably be ok. Safety is of course encouraged but all climbing is undertaken at your own risk!
One thing I really like about The Arch is that they offer a complimentary group lesson for an hour on Monday and Friday evenings. This is taken by a qualified instructor (who for a 1 – 1 lesson would normally charge £50 an hour!) who splits the group into levels of ability and guides them through various routes, giving tips and advice along the way. This is an excellent boost for new climbers and more experienced people, and also creates a great social setting in which to progress your fitness and most importantly have fun!
For more serious climbers than I there are some extremely challenging routes and a training wall allowing some serious overhang work, as well as pull up bars, a tricep dip bar and finger boards to build strength. Monthly competitions are also held.
The people who attend this wall seem to be really friendly, and within two visits I had already met several climbing enthusiasts, something that will definitely keep me coming back. The overall atmosphere is great, and being able to climb to some of my favourite 90’s hip hop tracks is a real pleasure. I hope to become a member and regular here soon!

The place offers a different and fun experience. Although, it’s very exhausting climbing a wall, the exercise is great. Also, you should go easy if it’s your first time or you may end up unable to move freely for a few days from muscle stiffness.

I went here last Saturday with a group of friends. We booked an introduction class (via e-​mail) in which there were around 15 people and 2 instructors.
The class lasted about an hour and then we were let loose on the facilities, though the instructors were around if we had any queries on how to handle a route.
The instructors were very friendly and engaging (as were the rest of the staff).
We spent a good 5 hours overall there and were definitely tired by the end of it.
There are various routes you can take on the walls (which are colour coded). The routes are moved every 6 – 8 weeks to keep things fresh.
Every one of our group said they would definitely love to return.

A few months ago I was lucky and could go with some (Google+ Local) reviewers to try out The Arch Climbing Wall bouldering facilities at the Biscuit Factory in Bermondsey. It was not that I never scaled a climbing wall before, but to be honest, the last time I did try to get up a wall was a number of years ago. And I was never very good at it anyway. So this was a great opportunity to try it again.
Looking back, it was one of the best Google+ Local events I attended so far. We got a good introduction and then started climbing various routes. It was intense and the following week was quite painful. But it was a great experience and definitely something, I should do again. It is a great alternation to other workouts.

The best place to start conquering your fear of highs or shall I say ME.
The Arch indoor climbing wall in Bermondsey @ the biscuit factory you be amazed by now massive it is from easy climbing circuit route to get round, to the most difficult routes and a lot of training gear too.
Great induction classes for beninners like me very, very helpful and fully experienced instructor to help and guide you through the one hour induction class and even after the class where you can have time to explore the routes you might fail or conquering getting up to the top but you’re encouraged and praised for doing it to trying.
I wish I could tell you what happening before I got to the site but that will have told face to face.
I’ll be back… Definitely!!!
O.K a few things to do before climbing:
STRECH!!! Or you will be feel the PAIN the next morning.
Take your time no need to rush.
And listen.

This is the best bouldering gym I’ve ever been to.
This place just opened three months ago, and according to its website has «over 11 000 square feet of bouldering, dozens of circuits offering hundreds of climbs» and «is one of the biggest climbing facilities in the UK.» Which I definitely believe — I’ve been to 20 or so climbing gyms in the US, Canada, and the UK, and this is definitely the biggest bouldering gym I’ve ever seen.
The staff’s friendly, the prices are normal, and the facility is just so friggin’ enormous, I still can’t get over it. They lay their routes out according to color, so basically there are eight or so colors of holds, and all the routes set within each color fall within a certain range of difficulty (e.g. V1-​V2). Each color has 30 or so routes associated with it, so you’re looking at 240 total bouldering problems right there (assuming that I remember the number of colors correctly).
240 bouldering problems! That’s fucking insane!
The gym I go to in san francisco has, like, *maybe* sixty! And that 240 figure isn’t even counting the ~30 bouldering-​comp problems The Arch had up when I visited!
They’ve also got plenty of other training gear — a bunch of hangboards, a moon board, a training board, just all sorts of crazy stuff.
If you like bouldering, you have got to go here. This place is the best.