270 Climbing Park — Local services in Tewkesbury

My experience is based on bouldering only. I’ve been wanting to try this place out for some time and finally got the chance after a midday work cancellation. £16 for a day pass is pretty expensive in my opinion but the facilities are very new and modern.

The bouldering room is medium in size, my usual is bigger but there are many smaller. Theres a kilter board which is great + a gym and finger boards

I came in my work uniform so expected to climb shirtless, which I do at my regular gym anyway but there is a ‘tops at all time’ rule. I think that’s a huge error and really disappointing, I can’t imagine anyone has a real issue seeing someone topless whilst exercising. A/C was on but I was hot and sweaty in no time. I ended up taking my shirt off and others followed suit after asking one of the staff members if it was ok. It’s an outdated rule and surprising at a new venue.

The music was Loyle Carner only… for over 90 minutes. It drove me mad. No idea what that’s about. Radio would do or even just a range of music.

Now, the routes and grading were strange. I now understand that it’s intentionally unique, but I couldn’t settle in properly. The grades are 1-7 and there are 3 styles within each grade: physical, skill, psychological. I couldn’t agree with these as some labelled skill were definitely more physical, and vice versa. Psychological is often huge moves, so yes a battle with your fear. The best I did was a 5, which was near the entrance but I couldn’t do some 3’s and got very few 4’s as I went around. I found 3’s mostly easy, and 4’s mostly hard often thinking “that is not a 4?!”. My usual spot is called Depot and they use the V grading system, with my bests being V6, it was an ego blow to fail on the 3’s here hahah. The bouldering experience is likely one I’d not return to, choosing to go a bouldering centre that focuses on bouldering instead. Which makes sense since the outdoor adventure is the selling point.

Overall the place is great and I can see why they have success. I’m not a lead climber so can’t comment but the wall looks great, and If it’s like the bouldering centre the holds are brand new and grippy. The adventure apparatus looks great as well and is a hit with the kids. The cafe has plenty of options and a few beers on tap, as well as some food. But the bouldering is nothing special and if you’re coming here for the bouldering specifically, I’d go elsewhere. If you have kids who can use the other stuff, then the bouldering is a...

I think the facilities were great! only a bit untidy (you could see my hands and knees get progressively darker throughout the session, i guess it’s expected but i’m just surprised as i’m never covered in dirt when i go to my other boulder gym).

the biggest criticism i have is the staff members - reception staff were quite rude and unfriendly. they made me feel like an inconvenience for asking for rentals which is ridiculous - we were also ignored at the reception and had to get the attention of staff even thought we were the only ones waiting in the lobby.

on our way out, one of the girls working there started running and almost tripped my sister over as she swerved around us. i get it if it was an emergency but it didn’t feel safe seeing her run in her crocs so fast and almost tripping people on the way. the guy who showed us how to use the harness and autobelay was very kind and patient thought, can’t fault him. definitely need more customer service training for the front of house staff…

that being said i think as far as climbing goes the place is great so will definitely be coming...

TLDR, a great bouldering venue (can't speak for the roped climbing and high rope course as I don't use them).

Staff are friendly, the site is clean, well maintained, and there is a large indoor bouldering area split over two levels, with a little gym, and also an outdoor boulder wall.

Pricing and memberships are very competitive (£50 a month for unlimited climbing - take note Boulders Cheltenham).

Nice cafe which is pretty reasonably priced.

My only minor gripe is that the grading is a bit all over the place, it feels like the in-house grading system and classification of some problems need a bit of a tweak, but it's obviously early days as the bouldering part of the centre is so new. The step up from 2 to 3 is considerable in terms of difficulty, and some twos are dead easy vs others which are relatively challenging... it's a little difficult to judge a problem based on the grading given.

(I've been bouldering a couple of months, so by no means highly qualified in terms of experience, just giving some honest feedback)

Overall,...