If you’ve never climbed before or perhaps only done a little bit then a 1.5 hour indoor Taster Session will fit the bill and makes a great all-weather activity.

Prices

Booking info e-mail or ring for further info or to book More about Taster Sessions Anyone can climb on a 1.5hr Taster Session, a qualified instructor will take you safely through your first exciting steps off the ground. We have climbing at all levels of difficulty, including very easy climbing suitable for small children. A minimum of two people of any age, are required for an instructed group.

Depending on ability a typical Taster could involve:

• Warming up on the really easy traverse walls
• Putting on the harnesses
• Introduction to belaying if appropriate (holding the ropes for each other)
• 2-3 roped climbs each and some belaying either in the main room or the school
• A final blast on the un-roped but matted areas such as our tunnel.

Further info FAQ's About our instructors Accommodation Terms and conditions

Frequently asked questions:

What is the youngest age I can bring my kids on a taster session?
We have no age limit but realistically kids of less than 4 years old will not necessarily get very much from a Taster Session. However you are welcome to bring them along.

Can you take disabled students?
At the Beacon we believe that everybody should have a chance to climb. Our customers come from all sections of the community, some are blind, others have minor forms of disability and others have severe learning difficulties. If you have a group with disabilities then please contact us to see if it would be practical to bring them.

Sorry I haven’t booked, but could we do a session in half an hour?
We always try to accommodate people but we do usually need to get instructors in to run taster sessions so, to avoid disappointment, make sure you ring in advance to give us as much warning as possible.

I’d love to have a go but I’m scared of heights!
Fear of heights is very natural and it’s what makes climbing so safe. Climbing is all about controlling this fear and our instructors will be sensitive to this – they will take things step by step and you’ll be surprised what you can achieve.

What is the largest group size you can handle?
The Beacon probably has the largest area of ‘group friendly’ wall in the UK and we regularly manage large groups of 30+ youngsters. However, to avoid disappointment, make sure you ring to give us as much notice as possible.

What if we have to cancel?
When you book a Taster Session at the Beacon we usually have to arrange for a qualified freelance instructor to come in and work. It causes a lot of inconvenience if groups don’t turn up or come with a different number of students

I've done a taster, can I come to the Beacon without an instructor?
No! Generally speaking it takes at least 4 sessions before beginners become competent to look after themselves on the wall. When we think you are ready you can take a short assessment, and if you're successful, you're allowed to register as a Beacon member and to use the wall independently. We strongly recommend our intro courses rather than taster sessions for anybody serious about getting started.

If I do the Intro Course, will I be able to go climbing outside?
Not recommended!  Our courses equip you with the knowledge to use the climbing wall safely.  If you wish to learn to climb outside, the wall is a good starting point, but further, qualified instruction is required to master all the extra problems encountered in the great outdoors, such as access, guidebook usage, appropriate use of a rack of gear, gear placements, bird bans, ethics etc etc etc. See our Rock conversion course.