Rock Climbing

Simonside (near Rothbury) has three fine crags, Simonside itself, Selby's Cove & Ravensheugh for rock climbing. The northern scarps of the moors to the north of Rothbury have Thrunton, Coe and Callaly crags. Further west are Sandy Crag, Linshiels, The Drakestone and South Yardhope. All these are excellent places for those of you who wish to undertake rock climbing.

Northumberland is arguably the best place in Britain for bouldering, especially at Gimmerknowe and Ship Rock, on the hillside above the western end of Rothbury, only 15 minutes walk from Rothbury town centre.

Remember you manners when going rock climbing.

Parking

• Park on one side of the road only to allow access by agricultural vehicles
• Leave plenty of room, make sure your wheels are off the tarmac
• Don' t obstruct gates by parking in or opposite them.

Gates

• Yes, we know, always close gates after you, but it needs saying again.
• Climbing has already been banned from one crag in Norhtumberland because of this.

Crags on Open Country as defined by the CRoW act

You have a legal right to climb on crags on CRoW land and to access them, except when restrictions are in place. The rules concerning restrictions are quite complex, but one worth noting here is that a Land Manager can apply for discretionary restrictions for up to 28 days a year, but not on these days:

• Bank Holidays, Christmas Day or Good Friday;
• Saturdays between 1st June and 11th August;
• Sundays between 1st June and 30th September;
• More than 4 weekend days (Saturdays or Sundays or both) in any calendar year.

For more information on crags which are accessible for climbing in Northumberland, look in the Northumberland Climbing Guide.

Useful Related Websites

• The British Mountaineering Council
• The Northumbrian Mountaineering Club
• World Climb