March 2024 by Alexandra Preen
Great climbs centre, really interesting routes, great coffee! Always recommend
March 2024 by Sean Odell
Great place and community, but the prices just keep going up and up! Ridiculous!
February 2024 by Philip Ashworth
Took a big youth group and the instructors were amazing with the kids and everyone came away having had a great time
January 2024 by Jamie Richardson
We took 10 members of our youth group to Substation recently and had a fantastic time. The staff who led the session were brilliant! Most of the young people had not been bouldering before and some were a bit nervous but the leaders instantly made everyone feel at ease and we all had great fun. The pizza afterwards in the café was also delicious. Thank you team Substation!
January 2024 by Rhett Etherington
Fantastic climbing,great friendly atmosphere and staff. Lovely coffee and even better cake
January 2024 by Zoe Lancaster
Really friendly and knowledgable staff, great community, with the added bonus of a lovely cafe too.
January 2024 by Alex Simon
Great setting, frequent refreshes, fabulous food and drink and a really friendly bunch of staff. Particularly enjoy their comps and events.
December 2023 by Roisin Carter
Great climbing centre, staff are super friendly as are the other climbers. Plenty of routes for beginners and easy to progress to harder options.Have a little workout space and awesome café. Really recommend, even if just passing through.
November 2023 by Stephen Harvey
Lost its Sole.I first climbed here when it first opened. It was an amazing little centre, first class cafe, coffee and community.Where did it all go wrong. I came back to the Peak District, a few months ago after being away for 3 years. I was keen to get back to Substation with my family. My first experience (being back) wasn't great, there was children left unsupervised to run in and around the bouldering centre, with no care for the safety of other climbers. I listened to staff showing off about, how they watched people struggle to climb a V6 that they had, (they said) set spicy, as if watching people get spat of a climb is something to laugh about (which if its friends and you are climbing with them, is hilarious). My latest experience hasn't been much better, this time (like a previous occasion) the overhang wall was being reset, on a previous occasion when I was climbing there and there was a reset, I was generously given a discount, on this occasion no such luck, I got pay the full 12 pounds.For a centre that has apparently decided that the traditional grading systems, just doesn't cut it. Why have the font grades or V grades when you can have "levels" because substation is going to reinvent the argument over grades, one that has been raging ever since the grade old days of John Laycock and Ron Fawcett. they have done this because they (as one of the staff said) feel that the font and v grading doesn't take in to account peoples height and body composition. But levels does ?? apparently levels make big climbers able to exert more pressure in small places and small climbers reach those "tall man" beta climbs.It's clearly resolved the issue of "high feet" for those climbers who are as flexible as lego.Also, why would you want a description for the circuit board, I mean who cares if a beginner climber tries a 6a+ circuit, I say crimp or die. Just climb harder. Although the woody board is still font grading. Damn that infuriating machine, for not keeping with the hipster times.Here's me thinking that the art of setting is that of the route setter. That if you invest in your setters, then the climbs will be better.The only reason that this place hasn't got 1 star now. Is that the routes that I did climb (level 5) were well set. So whoever the setters are get 2 stars for ignoring the idea of innovation and just putting holds on the wall for fun and then sticking a tag next to it.
September 2023 by Hattie Hamzelou
Tried this gym for the first time yesterday. Was a bit smaller than I was hoping for but had a good range of routes inside.The bar area was pretty cool, lots of things on tap and a board game area. The cheese and chutney toastie was really good, probably the best part!
September 2023 by Sue Armitt
Went with 2 grandsons age 10 and 8. They love climbing so all good, but feel it's a bit much paying for chalk which apparently helps. I do feel a staff could be in there showing/supporting as I had no idea so left boys to own devices. However many stairs and no lift means this is not accessible for many people. I struggled to walk in area due to floor, which I know is for climbers benefit and essential, but for Granny's with arthritis not so good. Friendly cafe staff and good area but need to know what you're doing to get best value.
August 2023 by Bearded Wonder
Great place, not tried the food or beer yet, but next time, I will.
May 2023 by Jack Poyser
Fantastic. Great time doing the introduction, lovely place with what look like great events and great support from great teacher. Will definitely be going back again.
March 2023 by David Bennison
Booked a party for my daughters 7th birthday. Absolutely fantastic time was had by her and her friends. The booking process was seamless, took all the stress out of planning and coordinating. The games and activities the kids experienced was made by the energy and enthusiasm of the staff. Food was great too and the plentiful - even the parents managed to get in on the last few slices of fresh baked pizza!
March 2023 by Jamie Taggart
Good little gym. Love the cafe/shop area and has a good vibe. Doesn't get five stars because I felt it was one of the more expensive gyms I've been to but has a lot less on offer. Could do with some sort of chill-out/rest area in the bouldering area instead of having to use the cafe.
