The Castle Climbing Centre in Stoke Newington celebrates 30 years in a Victorian pumping station

Few gyms in London can match the setting of the Castle Climbing Centre. Rising above Green Lanes in Stoke Newington, its turrets and battlements belong to a Victorian water pumping station, and for the past 30 years it has been one of the capital's best loved places to climb.

The building has a fascinating history. After the cholera outbreak of 1849 and new laws on water supply, the New River Company built a pumping station here between 1854 and 1856. Designed by architect Robert William Billings and engineer William Chadwell Mylne in the Scottish Baronial style, it is said to have taken inspiration from Stirling Castle. The station was decommissioned by 1942, and after a public campaign against demolition it was listed Grade II* in 1972.

For years the building stood empty. Then, in 1993, Thames Water passed it to Steve Taylor and two fellow founders who wanted to open a climbing centre. With a conversion designed by Nicholas Grimshaw and Partners, and English Heritage approval to preserve the exterior, the Castle opened on 20 October 1995 in the old engine room. It expanded into the boiler house in 2000.

Today it offers about 450 boulder problems across 14 indoor and three outdoor boulders, plus more than 100 roped lines with around 350 routes for leading, top roping and auto belays. The tallest wall reaches 13 metres. There is also a gym, warm up and training areas, and a café serving home cooked, organic and fairtrade food.

Beginners are well looked after, with easier colour graded boulders that suit newcomers and children, and routes reset regularly so there is always something new to try.

Behind the building is another treasure: a 1.4 acre volunteer run garden, founded in 2009, which grows vegetables, fruit and herbs for the café, local restaurants and donations. Outdoor boulders were added in the garden in 2013.

October 2025 marked 30 years since the centre first opened its doors. The Castle is a member of the Association of British Climbing Walls and a BMC Associate Wall Member, and three decades on it continues to combine serious climbing with a strong community feel.

The Castle Climbing Centre is on Green Lanes, N4 2HA, near Manor House station. For opening times, beginner sessions and prices, visit castle-climbing.co.uk.