Mock Rock Blog

Quick look at some of our favourite Murals

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 14:29:22 GMT

These are our top mural designs.

Here we have our favourite mural designs. The hardest to paint is actually the world map, with getting the scale right. All of these can be done in 2-3 days. We have heard of school murals taking weeks ! That is never the case with us, we use the best artists to complete the works quickly and minimise disruption.

A Climbing Mural Traverse Wall. Design inspired by David Hockney's 'Arrival of Spring'

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 03:39:02 GMT

We always credit other artists if any of our designs are even in slightly similar style

We continue to design our murals from the ground up, without relying on A.I. It's easy to recognise when it’s been utilised! For this particular project, the school had recently completed an art initiative focused on the artist David Hockney and requested a new creation in a similar aesthetic. Instead of camouflaging the climbing holds by blending the colours, we opted to let them stand out and create a striking contrast, as I believe it enhances the overall look. Every mural we do is hand-painted and we don't use stencils! (Sorry Banksy.. it's cheating!)

School Hall Climbing with Stunning Mountain Mural

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 10:30:09 GMT

This previously dull wall is now the backdrop to awards and plays.

This indoor Traverse wall adorned with a breathtaking mountain mural made a remarkable impression on the school. As a result of our exceptional feedback, we proceeded to collaborate with three other nearby schools.

Why are Traverse Walls awesome for schools?

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 10:12:54 GMT

Not all kids like traditional school sports

Traverse walls are a fantastic addition to any school playground or gymnasium. These climbing walls provide countless benefits for students while also being a cost-effective and low-maintenance option for schools.

One of the main advantages of traverse walls is their low cost compared to traditional climbing walls. With a traverse wall, students can still enjoy the benefits of climbing and building strength without the need for expensive equipment or installation. This makes it an accessible option for schools with limited budgets, allowing more students to benefit from physical activity and problem-solving skills.

In addition to being cost-effective, traverse walls also require minimal maintenance. Unlike traditional climbing walls that may need regular inspections and repairs, Mock Rock traverse walls are made of the highest grade materials that can withstand years of use without the need for constant upkeep. This means less hassle for school staff and more time for students to enjoy climbing and developing their skills.

Safety is always a top priority in schools, and traverse walls offer a safe and controlled environment for students to improve their hand strength and problem-solving skills. With minimal supervision and safety guidelines in place, students can safely navigate the traverse wall, challenging themselves physically and mentally while building confidence and resilience.

Another key benefit of traverse walls is their ability to improve hand strength and problem-solving skills. Climbing requires grip strength and coordination, helping students develop their motor skills and fine-tune their hand-eye coordination. Additionally, traversing the wall requires students to think strategically and problem-solve as they navigate obstacles and plan their route, promoting critical thinking and spatial awareness.

A Mock Rock traverse walls is a valuable addition to a schools! offering a low-cost, low-maintenance, and safe option for students to improve their physical and cognitive skills. By incorporating traverse walls into school playgrounds or indoor sports area, students can enjoy the benefits of climbing while also enhancing their hand strength and problem-solving abilities.

Jungle murals are always popular !

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 13:02:52 GMT

Our jungle murals consistently captivate kids.

We enhance them with vibrant climbing holds that stand out against the colorful backdrop. Thanks to our meticulous priming and preparation, we’ve never needed to touch up any of our murals. We also ensure we apply the paint under the optimal condition

14 Metre Climbing Mural which incorporates the School logo

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 12:44:09 GMT

Complete playground transformation in 3 days

This school near Todmorden invited us to enliven a drab, uninspiring wall. We drew inspiration from their school logo and wove it into the design. The school was thrilled with our work and intends to bring us back to create another mural for the reception kids.

Traverse Wall Direct On To Sandstone Masonry

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 10:27:11 GMT

The School has several quotes and were told they had to clad the wall with timber 5K+

Our rubber-back holds reduced their quote by a 3rd and creates a longer lasting traverse wall with fully replaceable climbing holds. The rubber on the back of our climbing holds can go on unlevel rough surface. This reduces the cost of cladding the wall with timber by over half. It also complies with fire regulations on external cladding.

"It was a pleasure having you here.The staff spoke very highly of yourself and the kids. They love the climbing wall! Thankyou for everything!" Ferney Lee school, Calderdale

Educational History timeline mural

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 10:35:20 GMT

Pre-Civilisation to the future!

Stretching over an impressive 30 meters in length, we reveled in the delightful weather that beautifully complemented our efforts and kept us on track throughout the entire process. This project is not just any undertaking; it is our custom-designed creation that reflects our vision and dedication. Furthermore, we carefully integrated an array of climbing holds to elevate the overall concept and enhance the excitement for all who participate. The traverse walls, adorned with vibrant murals and strategically placed climbing holds, maximize the available space, ultimately transforming an ordinary playground into an extraordinary adventure zone that inspires play and exploration.

Meadow Mural with Traverse Wall

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 10:21:50 GMT

Custom Design Meadow Mural with Climbing holds

This project unfolded in Cambridgeshire, where the school sought a lively and imaginative design. We achieved the ideal concept on our very first attempt. We take pride in our prompt method of obtaining design approval, frequently applying adjustments on the same day to keep the momentum going.

Traverse wall direct to Masonry

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 09:31:30 GMT

The most cost effective way to get your school climbing!

At Traverse, we specialize in climbing walls that connect directly to brick surfaces. Our rubber-backed safety holds provide exceptional grip, even on rough stonework. We take pride in being the sole manufacturers of this type of hold in the UK. Unlike traditional climbing holds that often leave hazardous gaps when affixed to masonry, our design ensures safety and stability. The traverse walls we installed over 15 years ago remain in use to this day, and our installation takes just one day, with drilling scheduled to minimize disruption.

We also ensure that there are enjoyable climbing challenges! While many playground holds are often haphazardly placed, we dedicate our time to creating thoughtfully graded routes.

Yes we actually handmake our climbing holds!

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 09:17:18 GMT

Hand cast climbing holds made in the UK

All our climbing holds are meticulously handcrafted right here in the UK. We strive to source our materials locally whenever possible. Our ongoing mission focuses on enhancing the environmental sustainability of our climbing holds. We only accept bulk orders, with a minimum of 500 holds required, and pricing begins at £2.50 per hold, or £5 per hold for rubber-backed masonry grip climbing holds.

Indoor Murals with or without Climbing holds

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 08:29:15 GMT

Indoor Murals for school halls

We diligently worked at this school overnight to minimize any disruption. We are committed to adapting our approach to ensure your project is completed with ease. Rest assured, we also make sure to clean up after ourselves!

Disguising a 100 Metre ugly industrial building!

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 08:22:33 GMT

This beige Block of a building was a real eye sore. Transformed with a woodland mural

In need of a façade transformation for an unsightly building? We specialize in executing large-scale mural projects, overseeing everything from design to installation. Ensuring durability begins with proper wall preparation and the use of appropriate primers. Our murals are crafted to endure and are executed with the finest quality materials.

Community Hub Transformed

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 08:17:08 GMT

We even had a good response from the hooded teenagers!

The traverse wall featuring a mural has been completed at a community hub in Nottinghamshire. We received an enthusiastic response to this project and are eager to enhance more community hubs with vibrant artwork.

Jungle Climbing Mural

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 08:10:29 GMT

Junglist Massive

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History timeline mural

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 08:03:13 GMT

Educational Murals

A massive climbing mural that features significant historical events, meticulously designed by our talented team, captures the essence of our world's rich past and brings it to life in an engaging way. Each detail of the mural has been thoughtfully crafted to highlight pivotal moments that have shaped history, making it not just a visual spectacle but also an educational experience. History has never been this exciting.

Complete School Makeover

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 07:58:15 GMT

Completed in 3-4 Days

Complete school makeover. Our team meticulously designed and successfully completed three stunning murals that brought new life to the building's walls, showcasing bright colors and imaginative themes. Additionally, we transformed a dull, uninspiring playground into a vibrant and engaging fun space, filled with dynamic play areas and inviting features that encourage creativity and active play among students.

Educational Climbing Murals

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 07:55:16 GMT

Climb around the world!

In this innovative project, we successfully integrated the vital elements of learning, art, and physical activity to create a holistic educational experience. This multifaceted approach not only enhances creativity and engagement among participants but also promotes physical well-being. Additionally, it serves as an effective teaching aid, providing valuable resources for educators and students alike, all while occupying minimal space. This makes it an ideal solution for both classrooms and community centers, where space is often limited yet a rich learning environment is essential.

Largest Mural Completed in Nottingham ever!

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 07:51:13 GMT

This one made the national news !

We’re eager to undertake more mural projects of this nature. Expansive, impactful murals that are created within a week of a significant event to—here comes the pretentious term—capture the zeitgeist.

News article link below.

Mary Earps honoured with 'unreal' Nottingham mural - BBC News

Boatyard Boulders Murals

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 07:44:50 GMT

Our murals made the News !

Here is the article on this mural

Several mural projects we completed at Boatyard Boulders have garnered national attention and recognition! These vibrant murals embody the spirit of the times, capturing the essence of our contemporary culture and community. They often have a more profound impact than traditional printed art, as they not only beautify the surrounding space but also tell compelling stories that resonate with viewers. The fact that they are meticulously hand-painted adds an extra layer of authenticity and craftsmanship, fostering a deeper connection between people and the artwork. This personal touch invites onlookers to appreciate not just the final product, but also the creative process behind each piece, creating meaningful experiences that elevate the art form to something truly special.

Mural Traverse Wall 'as good as new after 5 years'

Sat, 15 Feb 2020 12:21:04 GMT

We use the highest quality materials to ensure longevity

We see many out of use pieces of play equipment/ climbing walls that are out of use due to the selection of incorrect materials. This image is of a climbing wall mural in Sunderland which we installed 5 years ago. We specialise in doing installations that require minimal to zero maintenance, because there is no point building beautiful climbing walls that are obsolete after less than 2 years. Our aim is to install zero maintenance equipment that gets more children climbing and is still in use after 10 years.

We carefully test all new materials and look at it's durability, sustainability and versatility. The traverse walls on masonry we did 15 years ago are still in use today. If buy a climbing wall or traverse wall from Mock Rock you can guarantee there are no shortcuts. In addition our mural work's success has been down to the lengths we go to prepare and stabilise the surface. 99% of our jobs are completed on time and 100% of the time within the set budget.

Mural with Traverse wall. Beechwood Primary School Crewe

Mon, 20 Jan 2020 09:58:36 GMT

Crewe Mural with Climbing holds.

Traverse wall with bespoke mural completed at Beechwood Primary School in Crewe

We completed this traverse wall with bespoke mural on time and the school were 'Amazed' by the finished work. The process is simple, give us a design idea, we produce a design, with options to changes to meet the clients needs. When the design is accepted we book a day to begin preparing and painting the wall. We have a team of the UK's leading spray paint artists who are used to working in all weather to produce incredible results. They may be working on one of our school murals one week and the next an advert for a multinational brand high up on the side of a skyscraper in central London!

Murals are a great way to inspire children and the climbing element just adds to this further. We have often heard 'I can't wait to get back to school on Monday!'

Our passion is introducing safe climbing to schools and inspiring children to be creative. Schools are busy places and we work hard to ensure the installation is carried out with minimal inconvenience.

Get involved in our campaign 'Screentime is boring when you can climb!'

Mock Rock Team

Ultra real concrete rockface

sales@mockrock.co.uk (ben hunter) — Thu, 05 Dec 2019 13:58:54 GMT

Ultra real bouldering rock face made in concrete - 50 year lifespan

For high traffic commercial playgrounds/ farm parks or secondary schools we offer an ultra real hand carved concrete type of bouldering wall. This type of structure is ideal for high traffic areas and also for places with difficult climates such as coastal towns with fierce weather.

These are constructed with steel reinforcement and hand shaped on site, this means they are incredibly strong and unlikely to need any maintenance for many years (the projected lifespan is in excess of 50 years.)

The estimated costs of this type of ultra realistic bouldering wall is £480 per square metre. An example price assuming the height of the bouldering wall is 2 metres and length 10 metres = £9000+VAT. The projected lifespan and low maintenance of this type of structure makes it an ideal option for commercial high footfall areas. It is a difficult structure to remove so not recommended for rented land/buildings unless expressly permitted by property owner.

School Traverse Walls

sales@mockrock.co.uk (ben hunter) — Thu, 05 Dec 2019 13:40:57 GMT

Isn't climbing dangerous!

Climbing is more than just people dangling from ropes in precarious situations. Climbing can be introduced into a school by installing a traverse wall, with climbing holds no higher off the ground than 30cm (so they are no more elevated than being on a step.) With the stronghold of computer games tempting children to stay indoors and be more sedentary, we need to fight back with outdoor sports that challenge and build physical and mental strength. There may be the odd scraped knee and calloused hands but it's far riskier to be stuck in front of a screen for hours on end.

Climbing has always been a metaphor for achievement, to scale great heights and push boundaries. We don't build traverse walls in schools expecting them all to conquer Everest, but we are passionate about the benefits of fitness and the introduction of a safe climbing facility ensures there is an sport to try in school.

It is not always the strongest or biggest that excel at climbing, but those who are determined and innovative.

We have a climbing solution for every school, from a direct to brick traverse wall or a free standing structure.

Seconds Climbing Holds Available

sales@mockrock.co.uk (ben hunter) — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 09:22:22 GMT

This is a subtitle for your new post

We have approx 4000 cosmetic seconds climbing holds available, these would be ideal for a scout group, home wall or commercial project. Contact us to discuss at sales@mockrock.co.uk we have previously sold to people who then split the batch and made good profit on EBay. Reasonable offers considered and you would be welcome to view but not cherry pick the best as we need to clear them out for space. grips These climbing holds are resin although we do also make polyurethane ones. Thanks Mock Rock Team

Climbing builds strength and confidence

Sat, 16 Nov 2019 19:44:44 GMT

Get your kids climbing!

We are launching a national campaign 'get your kids climbing' alongside 'Screentime is boring when you can climb!' Our mission is to get a climbing wall in every school in the UK !

Why Rubber-backed climbing holds are better

Thu, 14 Nov 2019 17:47:54 GMT

Why Rubber-backed climbing holds are better

Climbing holds rotating/coming loose once fixed is a common problem with bolt-on holds.

One solution is to add an extra screw hole(s) to the climbing hold to secure it in place, but if you want to re-position this hold the screw must be removed. This slows down route-setting and will speed up the deterioration of the climbing wall surface (especially on external walls where additional holes let in m oisture)

Our solution is to use rubber-backed climbing holds. The rubber we use is a secret formula which is incredibly hard-wearing and is moulded seamlessly on to the bottom of the climbing hold.

Bolt-on climbing holds that are not rubber-backed are the equivalent of doing the 100m sprint in wooden clogs!

The rubber reduces the risk of over-tightening and in the rare case of a climbing hold cracking, all the pieces are bonded together by the rubber-backing.

These holds can be installed on almost any surface.. Unlike traditional climbing holds a flat level surface is not necessary.

World's first truly sustainable climbing holds

Thu, 14 Nov 2019 16:02:07 GMT

How to build your personal credit

Climbing holds are made with fossil based chemicals (with the exception of wooden ones) which is not ideal. Anything that supports the oil industry is only adding to the climate change problem. Climbing holds last a long time, but what happens to them when they are not usable? We offer a recycling service on all our climbing holds so we grind them up and use that material again. We want to take this further and are developing the word's most sustainable climbing hold.

Carbon capture climbing hold

Bouldering as a treatment for depression

Fri, 01 Nov 2019 15:56:57 GMT

Can bouldering help treat depression?

"Bouldering, in many ways, is a positive physical activity," said Stelzer, who began researching the benefits of bouldering while completing her master's in psychology at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg in Germany and is now completing her doctorate at the UA. "There are different routes for your physical activity level, and there's a social aspect along with the feeling of an immediate accomplishment when bouldering."

https://uanews.arizona.edu/story/bouldering-envisioned-new-treatment-depression

Bouldering is sociable and proven to help treat depression. This is not surprising since it encompasses so many things we already know are good for us.

Fitness, Social interaction and mental engagement