Top of page

London

Southall Activity Centre, Southall

Longboat Row, Cranleigh Gardens, Southall, Middlesex, UB1 2BZ.

Tel: Site 0208 571 6508 Warden 01895 254384

This centre has an abseil/climbing tower in the grounds; the structure is acceptable to use, although the site do not have any qualified staff so you must provide your own instruction and equipment at present. GGUK members must not use this site's staff or equipment. Take care with access to the tower and ensure that you and participants are tied on at all times.

South London Scout Centre, Dulwich

This centre did have a tower/wall of some sort, but it has long been dismantled.

For current site details, please see: www.slsc-thefort.org.uk

Scout Park, Bounds Green

Level 1

Scout Park, Gordon Road, Bounds Green, London, N11 2P
Tel: 0208 883 4375

Email: Scoutpark@aol.com

Warden: Val Fort/Shirley Fort, 95 Sydney Road, Muswell Hill, London, N10 2ND
Tel: 0208 883 4375

This site has a 20 foot tower built by Bendcrete, with four faces and giving good climbing opportunities including a chimney and some steep routes as well. Access is via ladders on the inside of the tower. These lead out onto a platform which is not quite on the top -you need to climb just 5 feet on to the top, but in slippery conditions this could be hazardous - take care. Preferred method of descent for an instructor would be to abseil.

Under all circumstances students should never be allowed to climb to the top from the platform (or anywhere else of course) unbelayed.

There are two SPA qualified instructors available via the site to instruct, but others hold only Scout qualifications. The site are aware that Scout qualifications do notcurrently meet the requirements of the Guide Association and are addressing the situation.

Gilwell Park Scout Activity Centre
Chingford
London
E4 7QW

Tel: +44 (0) 20 8498 5411
Email: Gilwell.activity.centre@scout.org.uk
Web: http://www.scouts.org.uk/sac/guide_navigation.php?pageid=2413

This site is a Scout National Activity Centre, and therefore the activities under this scheme (climbing, abseiling) run at this site are approved by Girlguiding UK.

Facilities: camping and indoor accommodation with activities including high ropes, climbing, abseiling, crate stacking, archery and indoor climbing/high ropes facilities.

Aspire Centre, Southfields

Level 1

A fine outdoor wall on the end of a building; ground belays. Ropes retrieved by tracer.

For details see: http://www.aspirecentre.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=167&Itemid=41

Position on GUK Level 1 is unclear, but contact information is found at the link above.

Fairlop Waters Boulders, Redbridge

Level 1

An unusual location; artificial boulders set in a country park location. There are good gravel landing areas throughout, although some of the boulders are quite high and careful consideration should be given to how they are used with young people. Some boulders have a hole on the top where a sling could be placed; always use these with a sling and never place the rope straight through.

If you do decide to use these boulders then you would have, if setting up ropes, to access the top unprotected - take care.

The boulders were built by Rockworks, and there is a good gallery of images on their website - see: http://www.rockworks.co.uk/gallery/portfolio/46/