Can I bring a group or a school to The Hold?
Yes. Groups of 10 or more book in advance by email and get a per-head rate with shoe hire included. We can comfortably take up to about 60 people at once. Smaller groups do not need to book at all - just walk in. School groups have their own waiver arrangement, so start that conversation early rather than on the day.
How many people can you take?
Up to about 60 at once, comfortably. That is the whole-venue figure rather than a per-session cap, so the practical answer depends on when you come - a weekday morning has far more room than a Saturday.
- Email hello@thehold.studio to check a date.
- Weekday mornings and early afternoons, roughly 8:30am to 2pm, are quietest.
What does a group booking include?
Shoe hire is always included in group pricing, and the safety induction is run for the whole group on arrival. Current per-head rates are on thehold.studio/pricing, and they differ for over and under 12s.
- Groups of 10 or more must book ahead; under 10 can simply walk in.
- Bring socks - they are worn with hire shoes.
How does supervision work for a school or youth group?
The same age rules apply as for any visit: 5 to 12 needs close adult supervision at all times, 13 to 15 needs supervision or Hold Academy accreditation, and 16 and over can climb unsupervised. Plan your adult numbers around the youngest group you are bringing.
- Supervising adults who are not climbing do not pay entry.
- Climbing starts at 5 years old.
What about waivers for a school group?
School groups use a different waiver from the general one, so do not assume a stack of standard forms will cover you. Raise it when you book and we will tell you exactly which form you need and how to get it back to us.
- Every under-18 needs a parent or guardian signature, whoever is organising.
- The general waiver is at thehold.studio/waivers-code-of-conduct.
How far ahead should I book?
As early as you can for a school term date, because those cluster. For a birthday or a social group a couple of weeks is usually comfortable. Email is the way in - it gives us a written record of numbers, ages and timing.
- Email hello@thehold.studio.
- Open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 9pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am to 9pm.
Is it suitable for people who have never climbed?
That is most group visits. Nobody in the group needs experience, there is no equipment to learn, and the easiest problems are set for complete beginners. The induction covers everything the group needs before they start.
- Our colour tags run yellow, green, blue, red, black and purple, easiest to hardest.
- Start the group on yellow.
First visit? Walk straight in.
No booking needed for you and a few mates. Fill in your waiver online, wear something comfortable, bring socks if you are hiring shoes. We will take it from there.