Rock Up at Meadowhall, Sheffield, for families
Rock Up in Sheffield’s Meadowhall shopping centre is a colourful climbing experience aimed at children – and a great test of character.
What is Rock Up?
Rock Up inside Sheffield’s Meadowhall shopping centre is a colourful take on an indoor climbing experience. Participants are attached to harnesses, made to watch a safety video, then let loose on a series of obstacles that reach up through two floors of the shopping centre.
Some of Rock Up’s challenges are essentially narrow climbing walls, with a series of holds to navigate. Others involve ropes and ladders, while the most terrifying part of this unusual climbing centre is the Stairway To Heaven – a series of green, freestanding poles. Guests have to step between them, maintaining balance, as the poles get ever-higher.
Those that wish to up the difficulty levels can choose to use only certain-coloured holds. A series of signs explain the points available for tackling the obstacles in trickier ways.
Rock Up at Meadowhall with kids
The great thing about letting kids loose at Rock Up is that it genuinely provides a test of nerve and character. Watching them get more confident and go higher as the session goes on is a joy for parents – even if one might prefer to sneak off and do some shopping while the children are occupied.
It’s indoors, so perfect for a rainy day, and active. Adults can participate, too, but most tend to sit and watch nearby.
For children, it’s an adventure. Adults should get off their phones and admire the determination on show.
Rock Up at Meadowhall review: The best bit
The Twister Jug, a series of colourful plastic bars stacked in a spiral shape, tends to get most repeat visits. The layout creates a series of overhangs and narrow ledges that have to be navigated on the way to the top.
Infants, juniors or secondary?
The minimum age to participate at Rock Up is four years old. That said, it might be a little bit too tough for smaller children. Junior and secondary age children are the ones who will get most out of it.
Rock Up entry prices
Tickets for Rock Up cost £14.95 if you pay on-site and £13.95 if you book a time slot online. There’s also a fairly basic soft play area next to it, which costs £4.95 and really isn’t worth it unless you’ve a toddler you also need to keep occupied.
Prices were last checked and updated on 6 October 2024.
Full day, half day or a couple of hours?
Sessions at Rock Up last one hour. However, its easy to combine that with a visit to the shops, food hall, cinema and playground elsewhere in the Meadowhall complex.
Attractions near Rock Up at Meadowhall
Meadowhall is by Junction 34 of the M1. You can combine a climbing session at Rock Up with other nearby attractions, including:
- The Yorkshire Sculpture Park in Wakefield.
- Gulliver’s Valley in Rotherham.
- The Magna Science Adventure Centre in Rotherham.
Nearby cities
Cities within a 90 minute drive of Meadowhall include Sheffield, Doncaster, Nottingham, Derby, Hull, York, Bradford, Leeds, Wakefield, Manchester, Peterborough, Lincoln and Leicester.
Is it open on Mondays?
Rock Up is open on Mondays, making it a useful option if it’s raining while your kids are off school on a teacher training day.
More information
For more information, visit the Meadowhall section of the Rock Up website.
