FAQs

ClimbOut is designed with queer participants in mind and ensuring that queer joy is at the centre of the festival is key. Allies are welcome.

We are committed to making ClimbOut an inclusive space. We welcome people of all climbing abilities, backgrounds and identities. Our bursary options were designed to improve access for individuals who are traditionally underrepresented in outdoor events: disabled; racially minoritised identities; trans and non-binary. 

If you have specific questions or access needs, please contact us and we would love to discuss how we can make ClimbOut a good space for you.

We’re busy planning ClimbOut 2024 so the details will be available soon.

Absolutely! One of the main purposes of the festival is to help queer climbers start to climb outdoors. We would suggest you book onto a course like Rock Skills Introduction, to get the most from your experience.

Climbers who already have outdoor experience are very welcome to book a festival pass and enjoy the Peak without instruction.

Under 18s are an important part of the community and are very welcome at ClimbOut. They must be accompanied by their parent/legal guardian at all times for insurance and safeguarding purposes.

Please select your preferred accommodation when booking. If you select the bunkhouse option we will be in touch to discuss the best arrangements for you and your child.

Please check the age requirements for courses as some have lower age limits. Under 18s must be accompanied by their parent/legal guardian (parent/legal guardian will only be observing and will not have to purchase a course space) when attending any course or organised activity.

Please note that you will need to make a separate booking for the under 18(s) you are bringing.

Don’t worry! Course participants will be in balanced groups so no partners are required. For independent climbers in need of crag buddies, we will have a designated space and time where you can make plans with other independent climbers looking for a belay partner (no speed dating cringe, we promise).

While we will provide the space for this, ClimbOut is not responsible for pairing independent climbers up and climbers are responsible for their own safety.

Thank you for offering, we really appreciate it! Volunteers will be contacted by the volunteering team and allocated to a specific time slot and activity. Volunteering duties will not interfere with attending courses.

You will need to provide your own camping gear (if you have selected the camping accommodation option) and food as we will only provide food on Sunday night. If you haven’t been on a trip like this before, you may find it useful to follow our sample gear list for clothes, climbing gear and camping which can be found in the kit list.

Thornbridge has a range of options for accommodation. When booking for the festival you will select:

Camping

sing your own tent and providing your own bedding (sleeping mat, pillow and sleeping bag).

Bunkhouse accommodation

This is a shared, mixed-gender space, with 3 to 8 beds in each room. Bedding is provided.

At the suggestion of our partners (Wanderers of Colour and Asian Climbing Crew), we haveincluded the option of a dedicated bunkhouse for People of Colour. Please email us if you would like to be placed here and haven’t indicated it on your booking form.

Accessible accommodation is available. Please contact us if you would like to be placed here and haven’t already indicated it on your booking form.

Teepees

Teepees each accommodate 3 people. You need to bring your own bedding (sleeping mat, pillow andsleeping bag).

Vans

There are limited van spaces at the venue, if you wish to stay in your van please contact us and we will try to accommodate.

Thornbridge is well equipped with showers and toilets, located in both indoor accommodation and the camping area.

You need to bring your own towels and toiletries.

For the duration of the festival all facilities will be for all genders.

Gendered signs will be replaced with inclusive, descriptive signs, e.g. “what’s in here” (urinals, stalls, etc.)

Sanitary bins will be spread around all facilities.

On Sunday evening a meal will be provided but for all other meals you will need to be self-sufficient.

Cooking facilities are available as part of the bunkhouse accommodation and at the onsite camp kitchen. While well equipped for a single large group, they aren’t designed for lots of individual users. We highly recommend bringing your own cooking supplies including pans, crockery, stove and fuel.

Sunday night’s meal will be provided by Hazel’s, a team with plenty of experience feeding hungry outdoor adventurers at Thornbridge. To keep us as environmentally friendly as possible, please bring your own plate and cutlery to the queue.

There will be a choice of either curry or chilli, but one may run out before the other! We’ll be making sure your order matches up with the dietary requirements you told us about at booking. There will also be some plain food options for attendees whose sensory needs would benefit from this, just request this when you ask for your meal.

Thornbridge is located in the small village of Great Longstone, with two pubs and a shop within walking distance.

Local shops

ALDI Bakewell: 5 mins drive from Thornbridge
Fri 8am – 10pm
Sat 8am – 10pm
Sun 10am – 4pm

Co-op Bakewell: 8 mins drive from Thornbridge
Fri 8am – 10pm
Sat 8am – 10pm
Sun 10am – 4pm

Great Longstone Village shop: 13 mins walk from Thornbridge
This is a tiny village shop that may not have ample food supplies
Fri 10am – 5pm
Sat 10am – 5pm
Sun 10am – 5pm

We know that some participants might welcome a dedicated space in which to decompress.

We are setting aside an area specifically for this.

This will be designated as a quiet area for those who want some sensory and social downtime.

Some participants may want a quiet space specifically for prayer.

We have set aside a dedicated space for this.

We ask that this space is respected and not used for any other purpose, to preserve it for those wishing to practise their faith.