Glasgow · Indoor Leisure
The Climbing Academy – The Newsroom
The dedicated children's area sits beside the café, with shorter reaches, easier problems and a small slide. It is where under-eights climb; from age eight, children can also use the main bouldering walls. You can drop in for an ordinary visit, but complete the adult and child forms first.
- Ages
- Kids’ area for all ages; main walls 8+
- Child entry
- From £7.80; shoe hire extra
- Weather
- Fully indoors
- Visit length
- Untimed; follow their energy
Our family take
Bouldering gives children short problems they can work out and retry at their own pace. A drop-in visit lets them try it before you decide whether a regular class would suit them.
- Supervision. One registered adult can supervise up to two under-16s. Bring a second registered adult for three young climbers.
- Adult entry. Check with the centre whether a non-climbing supervising adult needs to pay before budgeting for the visit.
The practical details
Plan your visit
- Drop-in
- No booking needed for ordinary bouldering. Complete adult and child registration forms before arriving.
- Address
- The Climbing Academy – The Newsroom, 124 Portman Street, Glasgow G41 1EJ
- Opening hours
- Monday to Friday 7am–10pm; weekends 8am–8pm. Check holiday hours before travelling.
- Child entry
- Under-eights: £7.80 off-peak or £8.80 peak. Ages 8–15: £8.80 off-peak or £9.80 peak. Under-16 shoe hire is £3.
- Access
- Step-free entrance and wall access; wheelchair-accessible toilet and shower.
- Getting there
- A few minutes' walk from Kinning Park Underground, with free on-street parking outside.
ParkingCafé or restaurantGift shopBouldering WallsChildren's ClassesDedicated Children's Bouldering Area
8 October 2026
Check family climbing information (official)A little more detail
Make it work for your family
Choose the right climbing area
Under-eights use the dedicated children's area. Its closer holds and small slide make it easier to pause, play and try the same move again. From age eight, children can also use the main bouldering area with their supervising adult.
Bouldering is low-height climbing over mats, without ropes or harnesses. If your child wants to try roped climbing, TCA runs that at The Prop Store in Maryhill rather than The Newsroom.
Children who enjoy climbing, working out a route and trying the same move more than once, especially when you need an active indoor option. It is less suitable if you want to leave under-16s to play while you sit elsewhere: ordinary visits need active adult supervision.
Sessions, forms and supervision
Drop in or choose a class
Tiny Academy is a bookable, informal session for under-fives and their grown-ups. It is not instructed, and parents remain responsible for their children. Older children can book age-banded classes if they want coaching and regular practice. Dates and spaces change, so check the live youth pages before choosing a session.
Tiny Academy sessions Youth classesForms and supervision
Registration includes safety information and a short video. Supervising adults must be over 18 and registered with TCA. An optional bouldering induction is available if you would prefer a staff member to introduce you to the centre.
Complete the registration formsCosts and how long to stay
What the visit costs
Peak entry is 3pm–8pm on weekdays and before 3pm at weekends. Bank holidays are charged at peak rates all day. If your children need hire shoes, add £3 per under-16 to the entry price. Children can use clean indoor trainers if hire shoes do not fit or they do not want to wear them.
Adult climbers pay £12.50 off-peak or £14.50 peak, with £4 shoe hire. For a non-climbing supervising adult, check the charge directly with The Newsroom. Tiny Academy and coached classes have separate prices and inclusions.
Current entry and hire pricesHow long to stay
Entry is not timed. On a first visit, stop while children are still enjoying themselves and before their hands tire. The dedicated children's area is usually quieter on weekdays.
Getting there, access and breaks
Getting there and access
Kinning Park Underground is a few minutes' walk away. There is free on-street parking directly outside and bike parking at the corner of Portman Street. This is street parking, so allow time to find a space.
There is step-free entrance and wall access, plus a wheelchair-accessible toilet and shower. Ask the centre about buggies, baby changing or any specific support your family needs before travelling.
Access information for The NewsroomFood and breaks
The café is beside the children's area and serves soup, sandwiches, snacks and sweet treats. It gives you somewhere to take a break between climbs; keep supervising children whenever they are on the walls.
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