Get in with the outdoor crowd! If you’re really into getting outside but your friends prefer a gym workout to walking boots, or coffee in town to a brew with a view, that’s okay. We can help you find your own crowd who are up for exactly the same kind of adventures as you.
Who Will I Meet At A Club?
A bit of ‘me time’ can be a treat, but it you don’t want life to be all ‘me me me’, you might just find the kind people you’re looking for at your local club. Are you keen to find new climbing partners? Would you like more people to get out with in the evening after work? Maybe your mates have children and aren’t free to adventure at the weekend, or your regular partner is injured or moved out of town. Clubs are a way for friendly and like-minded people with all kinds of interests in the outdoors to go along to regular planned events, so you’ll never have to wonder what to do or who to do it with.
You’ll meet a real variety of people, of different ages and abilities. Some will be hardcore climbers looking for dedicated partners to train with, others will be looking for a relaxed group to hang out with at the crag or for a walk. Clubs have a plan of meet-ups, so you know there will always be something you can go along to, and you don’t have to commit to becoming a member straight away. So you can join in, explore a new interest, and find the right group for you.
Club members have a wide range of interests. Most will be into climbing or walking, but lots also plan talks, film nights, mountain biking or kayaking sessions, and maybe even skills training. Climbing and mountaineering clubs have a network of ‘huts’ around the country which provide a base for your adventures. They’re often cottages in amazing locations that are only available to members, so club trips can take you to places that others can’t reach, or as a member you can use them for your solo adventures! There’s a real focus on community and sharing, with communal areas, and a shared responsibility to look after the places you visit. Sharing transport, accommodation and food keeps costs low, reduces environmental impact, and makes it much easier to try something new.
It’s fundamental to the purpose of clubs that members share their knowledge and learn from each other, in an informal way. When you go with people that have been there before, or can give you an insight into their experience, being part of a group can really help build your confidence to try new things. If you’ve already been there and done that, there’s likely to be someone who’ll benefit from your beta. Club members are there to support and encourage you, and you can do the same for them. Although the reason for the club is to share an interest in the outdoors, many people make lasting friendships that go well beyond climbing and walking.
How To Choose A Club
There are around 300 climbing, hill walking and mountaineering clubs in England and Wales which are affiliated to the BMC, and there are a whole range to suit different interests. The Rucksack Club has members from across the country that enjoy climbing, walking, mountaineering, biking and running. The Alpine Club is an international mountaineering and expedition club, and there are a whole host of locally based clubs all around the UK. There are also clubs set up for certain groups of people, like the Pinnacle Club for women climbers which recently celebrated its 100 year anniversary. So, whether you’re looking for LGBTQI+ friends, or you’re keen to meet people who are similar to yourself, there will be a club for you.
You don’t need to worry about whether you’re ‘good enough’ to go to a club, they’re set up to welcome new members and they cater for all abilities. You have the chance to learn from more experienced members, find new friends at a similar level of ability, and gain experience together as you go along to more meets.
Now Let’s Find A Club To Join!
If they sound like exactly the type of people you’d like to meet, let’s find a club near you! There are two easy ways - use our map to search by postcode or town, or go to our searchable list of BMC-affiliated clubs.
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We’re making it easy for you to connect with friendly climbing and walking clubs in your area. Fast friends and fun-filled weekends guaranteed. Take a look at our latest project: Find Your Adventure.
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📧 Sign up for our regular Find Your Adventure email
We’ll send you an email every Monday for six weeks, taking you from finding a club, to your first meetup and even weekend away.
Find Your Adventure
📌 Locate a friendly club near you and get started
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Check out the articles in this six-part series:
🥾 It's time to find your adventure
⛰️ Let's find you a club to join
🥾 Your first visit
⛰️ Learning and skills
🥾 Ready to head to the mountains
⛰️ Start your adventure
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