Newcastle Climbing Centre turns a Byker church into a vertical playground

From the outside it looks like a church, and in a sense it still is a place of devotion: for climbers. Newcastle Climbing Centre occupies the former St Mark's Church on Shields Road, where the soaring interior now holds more than 1,200 square metres of indoor climbing.

The walls were designed and built by Rockworks, a North East company with more than 30 years of experience in the industry. The tallest walls in the central zone rise to the full height of the building and are equipped for top rope and lead climbing, with a wide variety of angles and a challenging 8m roof section as the centrepiece.

Newcomers are well catered for. A separate intermediate and instruction zone has lower walls, including a rock-featured training wall, while the auto belay zone offers ten climbing lines on a simulated rock face that let people climb without a partner holding the rope. There is also a dedicated bouldering wall with safety matting throughout, from caves to slabs and overhangs, with colour-graded circuits for every level.

The centre welcomes everyone from novices to dedicated rock athletes. One-hour taster sessions are ideal for families and small groups, with children from five years old welcome, and there are introductory courses and a five-session adult beginner class for anyone without someone to climb with. Young climbers aged five to 14 can join the Kids Rock Climbing Club with qualified staff.

One of the friendliest dates in the diary is Women's Climbing Night on Tuesday evenings, led by a female instructor. It is designed for beginners trying climbing for the first time as well as experienced climbers looking for a reliable belay and good company, and the team promise that nobody will be left on their own. Everyone gets a complimentary hot drink, coaching on skills and techniques, and the chance to make new friends.

There are changing rooms, disabled access, a meeting room and a spacious mezzanine viewing gallery, plus an on-site gear shop with specialist equipment and experienced staff ready to offer advice.

Whether it is a half-term taster or a new weekly habit, climbing is a brilliant workout for body and mind. Opening hours, prices and course bookings are on the Newcastle Climbing Centre website.