If you’re the parent of a primary school–aged child, chances are you’ve been eagerly anticipating the opening of Clip ’n Climb in Croydon town centre. We were no exception, so on the final day of half-term I headed down with our eight-year-old Beth to see if it lived up to expectations.

I was curious to see exactly where it had landed. Close to West Croydon Station, it occupies the ground floor of the new development that retains the beautiful historic façade of the Station Road parade, just along from the tram stop.

For those of us used to the vast spaces of Kidspace, Oxygen and Flip Out, Clip ’n Climb initially feels surprisingly compact. Not only does the space house the climbing arena, but also a café, a three-storey soft play, and the ominously named vertical drop slide. But climbing doesn’t need a huge footprint – only height. And height is exactly what this space delivers, with vibrant themed walls towering upwards, offering challenges for novices while still testing the most daring climbers.

Never having experienced this kind of climbing before, I was struck by how cleverly the safety works. You simply can’t climb without being properly clipped in, and the controlled descent looks almost more exhilarating than the climb itself. But that’s easy for me to say – I was firmly in the role of observer and clip-assistant, while Beth took on the walls. Adults are welcome to climb too, although perhaps best avoided during the school holidays.

But the real test wasn’t mine. It was Beth’s.

Who better to ask about the experience than the one of us who actually climbed?

Croydonist: What did you think when you first walked in?

Beth: I thought it would have been bigger, although it looked really cool.

Croydonist: How did it make you feel when you saw all the climbing walls?

Beth: Excited.

Croydonist: Which climb was your absolute favourite, and why?

Beth: The yellow, green and blue one, as I managed to get to the top.

Croydonist: Which one looked the scariest?

Beth: The rope mesh one in the air.

Croydonist: Were you nervous before you started climbing?

Beth: A little bit but once I was up on that climbing wall I was fine.

Croydonist: Did anything look too scary at first but then you did it anyway?

Beth: The vertical drop slide.

Croydonist: How did you feel when you reached the top of a climb?

Beth: Happy with myself but a bit nervous jumping down on the rope.

Croydonist: What was it like looking down from the top?

Beth: Scary but I did it anyway.

Croydonist: Was it harder or easier than you expected?

Beth: Harder!

Croydonist: Is it more fun than a playground?

Beth: Yes!

Croydonist: If your friends went, which climb would you tell them to try first?

Beth: My favourite one. (The yellow, green and blue one).

Croydonist: Would you want to come back again? How often?

Beth: Definitely! Once a week. Not every day, because maybe my hands would get a little bit tired.

Croydonist: Do you think grown-ups would enjoy it too?

Beth: They’d have to answer that themselves.

Croydonist: And finally, can you describe Clip ’n Climb in three words?

Beth: I. Love. It!!!

Thank you Beth… now ready to try it for yourselves? 

Find out more about Clip ’n Climb on their website and Instagram.

Posted by Julia (and Beth)