Berkshire

<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="998" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/dsc_3230-scaled-e1676394738555.jpg" alt="THE CLIMBING HANGAR READING BERKSHIRE" class="wp-image-50459" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/dsc_3230-scaled-e1676394738555.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/dsc_3230-scaled-e1676394738555-800x532.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/dsc_3230-scaled-e1676394738555-1000x665.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/dsc_3230-scaled-e1676394738555-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/dsc_3230-scaled-e1676394738555-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/dsc_3230-scaled-e1676394738555-789x525.jpg 789w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



From a niche hobby to making its Olympic debut in 2020, pulling plastic is trending, with searches for nearby walls hitting 20,000+ a month. Tapping into that demand is <a href="https://www.theclimbinghangar.com/reading-muddy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Climbing Hangar</a> which has just opened in Reading. The Climbing Hangar has eight sites across the UK, and its newest addition in Berkshire can be found in an enormous industrial unit (close to Double Barrelled Brewery). No rope climbing here, it&#8217;s all about bouldering.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-6.jpg" alt="The Climbing Hangar Reading Berkshire (6)" class="wp-image-50451" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-6.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-6-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-6-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-6-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-6-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-6-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Harness and rope free climbing (don&#8217;t worry the floor is a giant crash mat), with colour coded routes to learn the basics as well challenge regular explorers of the great indoors. The amount of space and variety on offer is immense. Plus there&#8217;s a superb café (lots of vegan options) and it was great to see people working, socialising and having a go. 



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">THE VIBE</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-4.jpg" alt="The Climbing Hangar Reading Berkshire (4)" class="wp-image-50453" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-4.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-4-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-4-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-4-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-4-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-4-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Confession: I was supposed to bouldering, because it&#8217;s a growing sport among women who love the variety, strength building and sense of community. BUT I dislocated my shoulder so that was me out of the game. It was all down to the family mountain goat to put this place through its paces – although I&#8217;m coming back when I&#8217;m fighting fit for a Hangar Women Rock session.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-13.jpg" alt="The Climbing Hangar Reading Berkshire – climbing shoe rack" class="wp-image-50444" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-13.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-13-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-13-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-13-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-13-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-13-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



The first thing you notice is that the hangout area (reception, café and seating) are as well designed as the bouldering walls. It&#8217;s all in the details. Loved the Scandi-industrial vibe and the floor to ceiling glass windows providing a panoramic view of the action. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-18.jpg" alt="The Climbing Hangar Reading Berkshire (18)" class="wp-image-50439" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-18.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-18-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-18-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-18-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-18-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-18-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



The people coming here want to climb, but it&#8217;s a warm, welcoming space for all ages, sizes and abilities which makes it a fun thing to do solo, with your mates or as a family. Unlike some other centres, The Climbing Hangar wants the social/ community aspect to be just as important. So the coffee is excellent (they have their own signature Hangar blend), the food is delicious. My bee sting baguette was very tasty (salami, cheese, jalapeno and honey) and I spotted few people had their laptops open working from the café, sneaking into the Hangar for a quick climb between meetings. 



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">THE CLIMBING</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-8.jpg" alt="The Climbing Hangar Reading Berkshire (8)" class="wp-image-50449" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-8.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-8-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-8-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-8-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-8-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-8-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Chalk up, for a full body workout – I&#8217;d say without trying, but that&#8217;s not true. It&#8217;s not easy to do, but it is easy to have a go. The pulls are colour coded starting with easy greys up to the most difficult Muddy pink climbs.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-3.jpg" alt="The Climbing Hangar Reading Berkshire (3) QR code" class="wp-image-50454" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-3.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-3-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-3-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-3-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-3-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



A member of staff gave us a brief rundown on how to get started and a few basic foot and hand holds. But really you have to fight your fear and just get involved. You&#8217;ll find QR codes on different section that will launch a &#8216;how to&#8217; video for those sections. Handy, just make sure you&#8217;re not short on battery. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-10.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-50447" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-10.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-10-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-10-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-10-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-10-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-10-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



There are some amazing climbers, doing incredible stuff, but the vibe is really supportive and encouraging that you don&#8217;t feel the newbie wobbles. The biggest issue is confidence. It&#8217;s high in places and I know I would freak at climbing without a safety net. It wasn&#8217;t a concern for my son. He knows no fear, leaving me to eat his chalk dust – gasping when he reached the top, maneuvered overhangs and tried to sprint his way around the course. 



He loved the different terrains, opportunity to give the adults a run for their money and to opportunity to make friends with other kids. There&#8217;s lots of problem solving as well technique. He would definitely benefit from coaching to get the most of the Hangar – signing him up for Rock Club would be the obvious next step. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-11.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-50446" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-11.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-11-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-11-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-11-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-11-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-11-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



Bouldering is not as in your face as working out in a gym or exercise class. You can go at your own pace, challenge and build confidence. I love the idea of Hangar Women Rock – sociable, coached climbing classes for women who want to train together. It&#8217;s a great opportunity to improve physical and mental strength and there&#8217;s not a weight to lift or a treadmill to pound. Just be prepared for sore hands and a lot of blisters.



It&#8217;s worth noting how affordable it is. You have to wear climbing shoes, but there&#8217;s a wall of them as you enter the building and they&#8217;re FREE. Membership is a steal too. You can pays for individual sessions (kids £12, adults £14), but if you get the bouldering bug, membership is £19.99 per month for adults and £14.99 for kids. No contracts, no fees, no funny business and you get unlimited climbing. That&#8217;s a lot of hanging out – they open at 6.30am and close at 10pm.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-14.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-50443" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-14.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-14-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-14-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-14-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-14-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/berkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/02/The-Climbing-Hangar-Reading-Berkshire-14-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h3>



Good for:&nbsp;Kids, teens and even grown ups who want a fun space to hangout and have a go at climbing.



Not for:&nbsp;If you’ve got a fear of heights, then this is not for you, but there&#8217;s always coffee and vegan cakes to power through.



The damage?&nbsp;Adults £14pp, Kids £12pp. Membership: adults £19.99 per month; kids £14.99 per month. If you choose to join after your session, you only pay the difference for the first month. Bargain.



Fancy having a go? Use the code <a href="https://www.theclimbinghangar.com/reading-muddy">MUDDY50</a> and snaffle 50% off your first climb.



<a href="https://www.theclimbinghangar.com/reading-muddy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Climbing Hangar</a>, Unit 8, Stadium Way, Reading RG30 6BX

Love on the rocks! Muddy gives bouldering a go

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