Climbing Courses, Instruction & Mountain Guiding in the Lake District
BEGINNER - ADVANCED COURSES. Our courses are for everyone. Begin your climbing journey or learn new skills.
EXPERT INSTRUCTION. Learn from passionate instructors with a practical, supportive approach to teaching.
BESPOKE TRIPS. Looking for something specific? We can tailor private guiding and instruction to you.
EXPERIENCED GUIDES. Our guides are professionals with extensive experience. You’ll be in safe hands!
Why Lake District Mountain Guides?
Lake District Mountain Guides Ltd is dedicated to providing quality climbing instruction and guiding throughout the UK. Our experienced team are passionate about helping people challenge themselves, climb safely and enjoy unforgettable days in the mountains..
Bespoke small-ratio guiding - Your experience is fully tailored to your goals. We run small group ratios to maximise your climbing time and ensure focused, personal coaching on every course.
Our Guides - are all professional and experienced climbers, trained to guide and instruct using the best industry practices. All our guides have extensive experience across all disciplines of climbing so we can offer expert guidance tailored to your aims.
Local knowledge, Lake District experts - Being based in the Lake District, we know the best crags, hidden gems, and backup venues for every condition. We’ll find the perfect location and climbs for your goals.
Contact Us to discuss ideas and ambitions! Guiding and Instruction is available year round, for any level of ability and experience, for individual days or comprehensive courses.
What our clients say.
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![Learn to trad lead instruction]()
James is a patient, encouraging, unflappable guide in all kinds of mountain situations. Just three days of climbing instruction with him changed my confidence and gave me the boost I needed to take my leading to the next level. You can definitely trust him for leadership while developing your own skills
Andrew, Edinburgh, who joined us on our learn to Trad climb course in July 2024
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![Lucas on his first trad lead in the Lake District]()
James provided great instruction in the fundamentals of trad climbing, helping us successfully lead our first trad routes. His experience and knowledge has equipped us with skills that have improved both our climbing skills. We can't recommend him enough!
Lucas and Freya, Llanberis, on our learn to trad climb course in June 2024
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![Our intro to scrambling course in North Wales]()
James has been amazing at helping me improve my climbing indoors and develop confidence outdoors with climbs and scrambles! He chose the perfect routes that were the right level of a challenge and really enjoyable (and great views)! He was always so encouraging and got me up things I never thought I’d be able to climb! Highly highly recommend for anyone wanting to gain climbing/ scrambling experience
Evie Rothwell, on our Intro to Scrambling course in May 2024
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![Multi pitch guiding in North Wales]()
I had a great day climbing with James at Tremadog last year, we climbed One step in the Clouds and looked at progressing my own trad climbing skills
Joe Clark, on a bespoke guided rock climbing day in North Wales in August 2024
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![Scottish winter guiding with Zander]()
I have been lucky to climb with James a few times in Scotland. He is an excellent guide. He is super friendly and very thoughtful about giving you the best experience for you and is always focused on keeping you safe. He is great at sharing his extensive knowledge with you and I learned lots of snow and rope skills alongside the climbing. I'll be looking forward to climbing with James again soon
Zander Wrey, numerous bespoke guiding days in Scotland 2024/2025
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![Scottish winter climbing instruction]()
Spent a few days multi-pitch climbing & mountaineering with James and his knowledge, experience & attention to safety is second to none. He made sure I was looked after the whole time and he was in complete control during our time together. Would highly recommend James to anyone who is looking for a guide for anything mountain or climbing related! *5 star lad*
Matt Aindow, on a bespoke guiding course winter 2024
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![Guiding Tower Ridge on Ben Nevis]()
I had an amazing day being guided up Tower Ridge on Ben Nevis by James. I learnt loads and felt safe the whole time. Definitely one of my favourite days out in the hills!
Alex Edge, on a winter climbing day in February 2025
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![multi pitch guiding with Stephen in the Lake DIstrict]()
Had a great day on Tophet Wall with James this week. The climb is superb, conditions were good and James was a good companion as well as guide.
Lake District Private Rock Guiding with Stephen
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![Yorkshire climbing guiding with Matt]()
James is a great guide and a great guy. He is full of knowledge and experience, so you're guaranteed to learn something and stay safe. I had one of my most fun climbing experiences with James, so I will definitely book back in. 10/10 highly recommended 👌
Matt on a day of instruction and guiding at Heptonstall Quarry in Yorkshire
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I had a great day out with Lake District Mountain Guides, my guide James took me rock climbing outside for the first time. He kept me safe and we climbed lots of cool routes. Highly recommend.
Alex Burgess on a bespoke climbing day in Lancashire, October 2025
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![Navigation course with John in the Peak District]()
Had a week on skye in may with James as my guide. I was lucky having blue sky all week and an excellent guide in James who I would highly recommend. When I arrived home I booked James for a refresher course in navigation in the Peak District, which was also excellent, has I was a bit rusty in the map and compass department 👍
Bespoke guiding on Skye and the Peak District with John
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![Guiding and Instruction in the Peak DIstrict]()
I have been out a number of times with James now and I can't recommend enough. I wanted to learn to trad climb so I got in touch with James - James has a wonderful way of making you feel relaxed and inspired in his company, whilst always acting with the upmost professionalism to keep you safe - I have learnt to lead trad with James, as well as being guided up some harder trad routes. If you are looking to learn to lead or just have an amazing day guided climbing/scrambling I can't recommend him enough!
Amelia Herd
Bespoke Climbing Instruction and Guiding
Want a private, bespoke course? Not found what you’re looking for? We can organise a trip just for you
Ready for an adventure? Get in touch to start planning your next trip with us
