Iv'e always been interested in climbing and have always done the bits of scrambling about at Gordale Scar and Brimham Rocks etc. (don't know how you spell it) but dont know how to actually 'start'. I dont have money to start buying ropes and harnesses etc. so free climbing is the only option.
Cheers
Join a club?
Im struggling to find one that'll take 15 year olds
Take a course somewhere. Otherwise, I find the shoes, harness, etc., unbelievably inexpensive now compared to what it was when I started in the early nineties.
What size feet have you got?
13 
**** me, you can almost act your age and shoe size.
The size 9 boots I'm thinking of getting rid of (too big really, but hardly worn) will be no use to you then!!
Look at Go Outdoors if you want/need kit, they had a cracking deal a whilei back everything you need for a starter kit, harnass, shoes, etc etc for about £30!
Munqe-chick - Member
Look at Go Outdoors if you want/need kit, they had a cracking deal a whilei back everything you need for a starter kit, harnass, shoes, etc etc for about £30!
That's what I was thinking about when I made my comment above. When I first started many years ago, shoes were more than a hundred Canadia dollars, and a harness wasn't even worth thinking about.
In fact, I would tie a makeshift harness with some webbing.
Do you have a climbing wall near you as they have classes as well as clubs there. If you haven't had any proper training it's worth doing just to get to know the basics, how to check and look after your kit.
I started with an introductionary course at the local climbing wall. The first few times I went after the course I rented shoes and harness (I only toproped back then so I didnt need a rope). I later bought my own stuff once I had some spare cash. If you are only interested in outdoor climbing, buy yourself a chalkback and go to your local bouldering venue. You can start off by doing easy stuff barefeet and without a boulder matt (just stay low above the ground).
Have a chat and get aquainted with the locals, chances are that you soon will find someone to climb and share gear with.
Hope this helps.
Start at the bottom and work your way up 
Start at the bottom and work up.
I'd recommend either finding a mate who climbs and can show you the ropes, or ask about taster sessions at your local wall.
You -can- just boulder on your own, but getting some advice is better and safer.
EDIT - damn you, Wors...!
lesson number 1 -
Free climbing actually refers to climbing with ropes, and removable leader placed gear, as apposed to using fixed gear, such as bolts and other aids.
You are actually refering to soloing, which is the act of climbing without ropes.
Seriously though, enjoy it, its a great pastime, i have been climbing for only 5 years, and it has taken over my life!
Also, Nille is wise.
Whereabouts are you in the country?
I'm afraid that climbing for "free" isn't a good starting option (I'm assuming you mean £free, not free climbing per se) - at a minimum you're going to want some rock boots and crashmat for bouldering, or find someone who has a mat
As said above, find a local club, see if there's anyone looking for climbing buddies at local walls. Are you near any local universities that might have a climbing club?
Once you've saved up a few pennies - I recommend the courses at Plas Y Brennin:
http://www.pyb.co.uk/
- there's a course for whatever level you want. Nice cakes too.
Good luck!
There are climbing walls in Leeds and Huddersfield (the council sports centre), they might be your best bet for basic tuition if you can't join a club yet. The ideal would be to find someone thru friends who could take you to local crags, there are plenty of crags around Hebden Bridge, Halifax, Keighley.
If all else fails, buy some boots and chalk bag and go to local crags and do some bouldering like said above. Shipley Glen and Woodhouse Scar in Halifax are the best local mini crags, but you can boulder on any crags. Basically, it's just stringing a few hard moves together a few metres off the ground. Bouldering doesn't require much equipment (shoes and chalk bag) and in some ways embodies the true spirit of climbing, being free from all the clutter of ropes, harness etc and can be addictive. Bouldering is more about solving problems, than climbing a route. It isn't entirely safe, despite being problems only a few feet off the ground, so still very good for learning to climb under pressure.
If you've being doing some scrambling it sounds as though you have already started to a certain extent. There really isnt much more to getting out and finding something to climb up. You can make it as expensive / safe or traditional / scary as you like. I first climbed in old walking boots and a harness made from 2 home made slings ! In my experience, providng you are keen and reasonably sociable it wont take long before you get to know someone who might have some spare kit for to use in exchange for splitting petrol costs to the crag. Enjoy
+1 local indoor wall. You should be able to hire gear and you'll have to go through a basic induction to make sure you can tie a figure of eight knot to secure yourself and belay safely. Most places have a bouldering area of sorts, you should be able to get chatting to some folks there and then belay each other on the (top roped) walls.
I wouldn't recommend just going out to the local crags and climbing without some prior practice/instruction, and especially soloing. While you may be just fine and competent accidents happen and while the rescue folks will come and get you if you hurt yourself (if they know you're there!) it's pretty irresponsible. Even bouldering outdoors without a mat or spotter would be a no no for me, but maybe I'm just getting old
Whatever you decide to do, enjoy it!
Maybe also get a local bouldering guidebook, so you can start off on the easy stuff detailed in the guidebook, that can also easily be reversed/downclimbed.
Cougar I'm in Oxenhope so Keighley/ Halifax
There is a new wall opening soon in Brighouse which is pretty close.
For Bouldering:
Shipley Glen is fun, Earl Crag by Cowling is pretty good. Bridestones above Hebden Bridge is very good. Woodhouse scar would be handy as well, not as nice though.
Personally, I would suggest you buy a guide and some boots and go bouldering to start. Mats are not an immediate necessity.
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