Story of the Climbing Barn Build

Following the purchase of Lower Grange Farm, a derelict farm in 2009, Kent Scouts involved its membership to find out what they wanted to see as part of the development. One of those suggestions from the young people was a climbing wall.

This was likely to form part of the longer term plans for the farm due to the funding required. A small team of young people came together, determined to raise the funds and set to work to raise the money. Having presented to a youth opportunity fund, the team secured £155,000 towards the centre and put the wheels in motion for the new climbing facility.

The wall itself came from a closed climbing centre at Buckmore Park. Volunteers took four weekends to strip the wall out and transport it down to Lower Grange Farm. It was then stored while planning permission was sought.

Young people remained involved throughout the design and planning phases, deciding how the building should be configured, including ensuring it was fully accessible so that all young people could experience climbing and abseiling.

In October 2010, Bear Grylls (Chief Scout at the time) broke ground on the project with further funding grants awarded from The Coutts Charitable Trust, Nicky and Eileen Barber Trust, Maidstone Rotary Club, Barclays, Southern and South East Water.

A new building was constructed to house the climbing centre, complete with a lift to take visitors to each of the levels inside. Volunteers and construction teams spent many months rebuilding the wall in its new home, painting the surface and route setting the climbing holds. The building was clad with natural timber on the outside to help it blend in with its rural location.

In 2024 the climbing centre celebrated 10 years since opening. In that time, the wall has been updated with new routes and features but remains true to its original principle of providing climbing for all young people.

In 2025 'The Climbing Centre' became known as 'Climb Kent' securing its place as a climbing specialist in the South East of England

This is the story of the build in words and pictures ..

Watch the timelapse video of the build

The story