Social climbing: Welcome to Wimbledon’s new pastime

Plus: Shakespeare by candlelight, the proposed closure of a beloved pub, and a very fancy champagne dinner

Mar 13, 2025

Good morning, Wimblers — I hope that everyone is well, and a warm welcome to all of our new readers. You may think from the subject line that I’ll be diving deep into the nuances of the South West London class system in today’s edition, but fear not: I’m not brave enough for that. Instead, I’m talking about climbing socially, as in, bouldering with friends, which is a growing pastime in Wimbledon since the arrival of The Boardroom Climbing, an impressive facility that I visited recently.

Wimblers, I am a man transformed. Not only did I enjoy my time climbing, but I’ll be going back for more. Scroll down to read all about my physically strenuous escapades, the mental health benefits of climbing, and the great community they have built over at The Boardroom.

Note: All Wimbler readers get 50% off their introductory climbing lesson by booking here with the special code “50OFF”.

We’ve also got sobering news about the planned closure of two major Wimbledon hotspots, an affordable (well, somewhat) property of the week, and a fantastic list of recommendations including, but not limited to, a candlelit performance of Macbeth, a fancy Lanson four-course dinner, and a talk on Buddhism at Wimbledon’s beautiful and historical Buddhapadipa Temple.

Please comment below with any thoughts, ideas or suggestions. Email me here if you want to get in touch with a story or if you have any news that you’d like us to share. Apart from that, happy reading!

News snippets 🗞

💷 The Victorian Cafe is for sale! The owner of the much beloved spot is retiring after 30 years of serving Wimbledon coffee and sandwiches at incredibly low prices. Check out this Facebook post if you’re interested in taking the place over.

🌳 Another day of tree planting at Morden Park took place on the weekend. Saturday was the fourth of these events since Merton Friends of Earth started their project of increasing the park’s biodiversity in 2020. Volunteers plant 420 trees at each event, and this year they were joined by Wimbledon MP Paul Kohler who thanked Merton Friends of Earth for their “hard work planting and maintaining saplings”. Read more about the day in the South London News.

❌ The historic Trafalgar Pub in South Wimbledon is once again at risk of demolition. The developers Adenbuild Construction Limited have put forward plans that would see the pub knocked down and rebuilt as a four-storey building with a smaller pub space on the ground floor. The plans have been described by the developers as “a beacon of the regeneration of the High Path estate”. A post shared on Facebook by Oli Carter-Esdale, the pub’s owner, responded to the plans: “As you may have heard, we are once again battling plans to demolish the pub … A proudly independent freehouse with a rich history shouldn't be knocked down and nor should you all lose your local[s] to property developer greed.” The deadline for public comments is today, so email your views to planning.representations@merton.gov.uk. And read a further analysis of the situation here.

Property of the week 🏡

This week, I thought it might be nice to have a reasonably priced property of the week. Enter this light and airy one-bedroom flat in Wimbledon Chase. Sitting practically on top of Wimbledon Chase station — and in-between Raynes Park and Wimbledon’s stations — this is an incredibly well located property. And who doesn’t love a good balcony. For £350,000, this flat is on the cheaper side of Wimbledon’s property market. Check out more photos here.

My afternoon hanging from a colourful wall 🧗🏼‍♂️

The Boardroom Climbing began when climbing instructors Lee and Dave met nearly 20 years ago. Their lives went in different directions, and it wasn’t until ten years after their initial meeting that their paths crossed again. The two decided they wanted to build a climbing centre of their own, so they sold their houses, purchased the first site in Queensferry, Wales, and lived on location for two years — Dave in the office and Lee in a £200 caravan out the back. In 2023, they put their houses up as collateral once more and launched The Boardroom Climbing in Wimbledon Quarter.

Despite my very active lifestyle scuttling around Wimbledon interviewing people for The Wimble, I decided this week that it was time to take up a new sport. So, I rolled up my jeans and met with Chris Clarke — The Boardroom Climbing’s Centre Manager — for a day on the wall. Here’s how it went. (Spoiler: I’m hooked).

Wimble Promo: All Wimble readers get 50% off their introductory climbing session by booking here with the code “50OFF” (£~~19.00~~ = £9.50).

Chris showing me the ropes (or lack thereof)

I’m a little nervous as I arrive at The Boardroom Climbing. Not because the space is daunting; it’s because I haven’t been on a climbing wall since I was 11 — and back then, I was attached to a rope via a harness.

Chris Clarke, Centre Manager, greets me with a smile and explains what we’re going to be doing: “This session is exactly what we’d do for a person who has never climbed before.” I sign a waiver which basically says I understand that climbing is not a risk-free sport, and then I’m given a pair of climbing shoes to put on. I also roll up my jeans and remove my rings. And then we’re off. We start in the Boardroom’s gym to warm up: jogging on the spot, joint mobilisation exercises and a safety brief. After that, it’s on to the wall.

Chris has been climbing for 13 years. He was 23 when he started, getting into the sport when an office colleague asked if he’d like to give it a go after work. Like many climbers, Chris fell in love with bouldering immediately. But it wasn’t until the pandemic — and the subsequent dormancy of his sales-advertising job — that Chris decided to turn his passion into a career. “I took the job here before it even opened,” he says. “In fact, we physically built parts of this space ourselves. I learnt to tile just so I could lay down some of the floor you’re standing on!”

Chris, like all of the staff I have met at The Boardroom, has a calming demeanour. He puts me at ease immediately as he explains that we’re going to start with the basics. After showing me how to actually approach the wall, we begin with some practice falls — from a safe height, I drop to the floor, knees bent, and roll onto my back with my chin tucked and my arms across my chest. I realise very quickly that I’m going to enjoy our session. Even fake-falling spikes my dopamine.

Chris talks me through the easy climbing route as indicated by the purple and green climbing holds

I ask Chris if he thinks his career in a creative field drew him to climbing, and if there’s a certain kind of person who is innately attracted to bouldering. “Absolutely. Climbing is all about problem solving. We have a lot of creatives, but we also have a lot of software developers who come here because they love to solve problems. I’d say the climbing community is pretty special; everyone is really laid back, eco-conscious … you’ve got loads of different climbers.”

He explains that the climbing community is all about variety: there are the hardcore climbers affectionately referred to as “dirtbags” — those that drive around the world living out of campervans in the pursuit of the climb; there are social climbers who prefer to have a cup of coffee, a chat with their friends, and partake in a bit of climbing; there are those interested in the fitness element; and there are those that do it simply for the joy of the sport. “The late, great climber, Alex Lowe, once said, ‘The best climber is the one having the most fun.’ And I think that’s really what it’s all about.”

Community is at the heart of The Boardroom Climbing. There’s the LGBTQ+ social event on Mondays, the “Boulder Together” evenings on Tuesday, and the women’s social climbing on Wednesdays. Chris also tells me that they plan to get an alcohol license in the very near future so that they can have Friday evening post-climb drinks.

Climbers enjoying the Tuesday night social

I ask Chris what climbing has done for him. “It’s brought me confidence in my body and in my movement. I’m physically stronger and more agile because of it. But in terms of my mind, there’s so much fear management in climbing — and that allows you to understand yourself and manage your fears in stickier situations. Everyone is having a little chat with themselves at the top of that wall. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been climbing for ten minutes or ten years, you’re still going to overcome your fears at the top of the wall.” He tells me that it’s particularly good for children, as it teaches them how to be confident in themselves at an early age.

The mental health benefits of bouldering can’t be overlooked. There are an abundance of climbing charities in the UK that specifically tailor to those struggling with mental health issues: Climbing Out of Depression, CAM Climbing, Blackdog Outdoors. Learning is also at the heart of The Boardroom Climbing. “It’s community, it’s fitness, it’s mental well-being and it’s just fun,” says Chris. “You’re competing against yourself in bouldering. It’s a very personal sport. But at the same time, there is so much sharing of knowledge. You could have a 12-year-old girl climbing the same route as a 60-year-old man, and they will be able to learn from each other.”

After our introductory session, Chris lets me loose on the wall alone. I spend half an hour trying to reach the top of a slightly difficult route — well, difficult for me. I don’t make it all the way, but that’s not the point. The point is that I tried, and that I enjoyed myself … and that I will most certainly be back again.

The Boardroom Climbing is open from Monday to Friday (6:30 AM - 10:00 PM) and Saturday to Sunday (9:00 AM - 7:00 PM). Wimble readers are entitled to 50% (£~~19.00~~ to £9.50) off their introductory climbing session by booking here with the code “50OFF”.

Standard adult membership is £64 per month, which includes unlimited access to the facilities, a monthly prize draw, 20% off coaching and 10% off the shoe shop. Concessions are priced at £56 per month, and students get a discounted rate of £45 per month. Check out their website to book sessions, read about their work, and check other prices, and head to their Instagram to see some of their recent social events.

The Wimble’s to-do list 🎨

‘Whispers of Winter, Wimbledon Common’ by Katharine Rowe — “Whispers of Winter”, Wimbledon Common’ by Katharine Rowe

🎨 A Brush with the Past at Wimbledon Museum: Catch this exhibition whilst you can. Featuring 10 artists who have each drawn inspiration from a previous work of art relating to Wimbledon Common from the museum’s collection, this exhibition is all about the symbiosis of old and new. No booking is required and entry is free … What are you waiting for? More details here.

Where: Wimbledon Museum

When: Friday, 31 January - Sunday, 30 March

🎤Jason Manford - A Manford All Seasons: The famed comedian is back with a new show! Fans of Jason’s are well aware that the comedian has been busy since his last successful comedy roadshow, but he’s finally touring again. Catch him for one night only at the New Wimbledon Theatre. Tickets can be bought here.

Where: New Wimbledon Theatre

When: Friday, 14 March, 7:30 PM - 9:20 PM

🍄‍🟫 Mindful Pause in Nature: This two-hour event on Wimbledon Common aims to connect you with nature and explore your creativity with mindful photography, forest bathing, journaling and more. Tickets are £29 per person or £14.50 when you book using their 2-4-1 offer. Tickets also include a free cup of herbal tea and snacks.

Where: Wimbledon Common

When: Saturday, 15 March, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

☸️Monthly Buddhist Talk: Where Does It End?: This is a part of a series of free monthly talks at Wat Buddhapadipa. The talks aim to educate and discuss the fascinating teachings of Buddhism and apply their lessons to modern life. There will be a Dharma talk and a Q&A at each session. This month’s event, titled “Where Does It End?”, is being led by Ajahn Sujan, the temple’s guest speaker. Tickets are free and can be booked here.

Where: Buddhapadipa Temple, Wimbledon

When: Saturday, 15 March, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

🍾Lanson Champagne Dinner at Cannizaro House: Most of us familiar with the Wimbledon Championships are familiar with their famous partner, Lanson champagne. If you’ve never tried the indulgent champagne, then here’s your chance. There will be a four-course menu, and each serving will be paired with a delicious glass of Lanson. Oh, and to make it all the more spectacular, the dinner is being held at the ever-stunning Cannizaro House. Tickets are £109.95 per person and can be bought here.

Where: Cannizaro House

When: Friday, 14 March, 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

🎭 Macbeth by Candlelight: “When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?” This beautiful performance of Shakespeare’s Macbeth is brought to you by Shadowroad Productions. The event promises “candlelight, peripatetic acting and, of course, all the magic and charm of Southside [House]”. Tickets are £22 per person plus a booking fee and can be bought here. Discounts for students and seniors.

Where: Southside House

When: Friday, 14 March, 7:00 PM (doors open)

Question of the week 🔍

Last week, I asked our readers which restaurant was London’s oldest. 10% chose Quality Chop House; 17% chose The Savoy Grill; 10% chose J Sheekey; 59% chose Rules; and only 3% chose L’Escargot. It would seem our readers are very well-versed in London’s culinary history, because the answer is: Rules.

Q: Which of these five pubs is the only one considered ‘independent’?

You’re up to date 👋

Thanks for reading this week’s edition. Don’t forget to comment below with any ideas and stories we can follow up on! Have a great rest of the week. Also, there are some of you who are yet to claim your rewards on our referrals leaderboard; I’ll be sending out a fresh round of messages this week, so do respond if you'd like to redeem your prizes!