Introduction
This web site offers information on suitable venues to climb with children in England and Wales. Offering additional opportunities to those who enjoy the sport and wish to continue to climb whilst with the family and in addition to times when you might have arranged your children to stay with family or friends whilst you undertake more serious climbs.
Having enjoyed climbing for some years before our son was born we were keen to continue and over the past two years have sought after suitable places to take children and still enjoy the sport.
The most well trodden areas are those in the Peak District a) because that's where we live, and b) because there's a great concentration of short single pitch climbs which lend themselves to family days out.
The main inspiration was the families and picnics section of the 'On Peak Rock' BMC guide although I soon realised that there were many more crags that were similarly suitable.
As well as offering information one of the main reasons for producing this web site is to gain further information on suitable crags in the UK and in Europe.... saving all that footwork and disappointment when you arrive at the crag and find it unsuitable.
If you know of anywhere please go to add new crag, if you don't here's some that we have found.
* Some of the suggested crags may not have been visited by ourselves and therefore may not be as suitable as others... discretion will be required with all crags suggested.
North Wales
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Lion Rocks, Llanberis |
Not in any guide book but is situated just off the Llanberis road out to the coast. You will notice a outcrop of rocks to your right once you have passed Llyn Padern. turn right to the Jesse James bunkhouse turn right again within a 200m's park in an opening amongst the trees. The venue is split into three areas- bouldering to the left one buttress in the middle and one to the right. Various routes low to middle grades and good long scrambles. Nice and flat at the base fantastic views over Snowdon Massif and Llyn Padern.
Lion Rocks, Nr Llanberis
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Quarry 2- Ty'n tywyn Quarries, Nr Abersoch, Lynn Peninsula |
After being rained off in Snowdonia we headed out to the Llyn Peninsula because it looked brighter. After searching for some where to climb with the children and subjecting them to a steep grassy slope below Craig Ddu we stumble across Ty'n Tywyn quarries on the coast between Llanbedrog and Abersoch. The reason I have chosen this place for its suitability is because of its location, once you have found your way to the quarries you park a stones throw from the beach (beach in front of the car, quarry behind). Quarry 2 is the only suitable place to take children although if with friends you could take in turns to investigate quarries 1,3,4 & 5. Quarry 2 (lower) has 4 routes VS to E2 ranging from 50 to 150ft.
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Upper Tier, Tremadog |
It gives it a mention in the new guide book and is a nice little place to visit fantastic for kids and picnics with amazing views over Portmadog and the Llyn Peninsula. Various routes at middle grades good belays etc. It's used a lot by PYB and other outdoor pursuits centers so beware of the groups!! park up along side an old mill between Eric Jones cafe and the junction turn off for Portmadog, walk up the road and take the public footpath as the road bend round to the left. Follow the worn path to the crag. Not quite as exiting as the Tremadog crags below but well worth a visit.
Temadog upper tier
South Wales
Gower & South East Wales guide
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Three Cliffs Bay, Gower |
Ideal combination of nice rock and huge sandy beach complete with rock pools and caves to explore. many similarly child friendly bits throughout the Gower (although mind the drop below Trial Wall) with good campsites and pubs making it a top destination for climbing en famille. *Suggested by D Garnett.
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Caswell Slabs & Three Cliffs, Gower |
Superb for family holidays and some climbing. Both these crags the climbs start from sandy beaches perfect for kids. Lower to middle grades (Scavbenger on 3 Cliffs is 3 star VS 4b in any ones book) are the best on these two crags, if your kids are up to 'a bit of a walk' King Wall and Mewslade are also very good. Possibly the most 'family friendly' climbing areas in Brittan? *Suggested by S Frobisher & Al Evans.
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Witches Point (refer to Gary Gibsons website- anyone know the address for this?) |
Sports climbing, good accessable sandy beach with about 20 or so routes from 6a to 8a *Suggested by Eugene Jones.