FRCC - Rock Climbing
BOULDERING IN THE LAKE DISTRICT


Bouldering in the Lake District is going through something of a boom period at present. The list below of many of the better bouldering areas in the Lake District was compiled a few years ago. For more up to date information, and some free topos, the following websites are well worth checking:

Lakes Bloc: This site has loads of topos.
Boulder-Guide Lakes
Lakes Bouldering
North-West Bouldering

Lakes Bloc in particular has lots of free downloadable topos. 		 

Borrowdale

Buttermere
  Dow
  Eastern Crags
  Langdale
  St Bees

Wasdale


Langdale

Chapel Stile Boulders - (GR 322058)
A series of short outcrops above the village providing a selection of problems of all grades. Access is from behind the small council estate on the road to Walthwaite.


Copt Howe - (GR 316058)
An excellent variety of short routes and problems on superb, rough rock, virtually unique to Langdale. Access from the road just west of Chapel Stile where the road bends left. Limited parking, opposite a house called Thrang Close, which is beneath the crag. Follow a well worn track to the crags.

Langdale Boulders - (GR 314058)
These are the large boulders in the field, on the west of the road, seen through some metal fencing. They are on enclosed agricultural land and access is by kind consent of the farmer. Park just past a gate on the right - please ensure that the gate is kept shut, no litter is left and that the walls are not damaged.

Please note that the Langdale Boulders have recently been designated by English Heritage as an ancient monument of national importance due to the discovery of prehistoric ‘Cup & Ring’ markings. These take the form of large dimples and shallow concentric circles and are thought to date from around 2500 to 5000 years ago. They are most noticeable on the East Face of the Bottom Boulder, but exist elsewhere on the boulders as well. English Heritage have stated that they do not wish to instigate a ban on climbing at the boulders but ask that climbers voluntarily restrain from climng in the areas containing these markings (this particularly applies to problem 9).

  

Photo: Langdale Boulders (Steve Crowe).
     


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Eastern Crags

Badger Rock - Kentmere - (GR 450042)
Sometimes referred to as the Brockstone this is an isolated boulder of similar size to the Bowderstone and is situated in a field near Kentmere Hall. Access from the church and continue on foot along a track leftwards through a passage between the last buildings, as though traveling towards the Hall, where the boulder will be seen on right after 200 metres.

The wooded area behind Badger Rock contains a mass of boulders. Some have been cleaned to provide excellent bouldering. The area is known, perhaps optimistically, as Little Fontainbleau.

Thirlmere Boulders (GR 308163)
After a period of low rainfall some excellent boulders emerge from below the water. The rock is superb and rough in yet another peaceful area with splendid views. Parking is in a convenient car park on the old road on the West Side of Thirlmere opposite Deer Garth Island. Once through the gate follow the path north and down onto the beach. The boulders are obvious, and hopefully above the water line. The landings, with a mat, are good.


Carock Fell - (GR 355333)
An area of boulders providing a number of problems on gabbro. They are located just next to the road often used by the local Everest conqueror and his friends.

 

Photo: Jim Arnold at the Thirlmere Boulders (Stephen Reid).

 

 

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Borrowdale

 
  Bowderstone (GR 254164)
This massive boulder, estimated to weigh 2000 tonnes, is also known as "The Cobble". In addition to being a tourist attraction, it also provides a series of difficult problems of world renown. It is best approached by following the cart track south , from the main road below the Bowderstone Quarry car-park.

Seathwaite Boulder (GR 234122)

Now a somewhat polished block much used by groups. This provides a number of easy problems set near the base of the track up to Gillercomb.

Photo: David Birkett at the Bowderstone (Bill Birkett).
     

 

 

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Buttermere

Honister Boulders (GR 217144)
Large number of boulders next to the road on the west side of Honister Pass. Main boulder called Maiden Stone but others scattered about.

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St Bees

St Bees Boulders (GR 939145)
 A wonderful bouldering area below the Apiary Wall and Fisherman's Steps area of the main climbing areas.

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Wasdale

 
 
 
     
 

Bowderdale Boulder (GR 167075 ??)
This is on the right bank of Overbeck, a landmark in the valley, and provides numerous entertaining problems.

Mosedale Boulder (GR 178104)
 The Y-boulder was a test piece for the Victorian climbers - who attacked it upside down. It is now more of historical interest but can provide passing amusement.

 

 

 

Photos -: Top: Bouldering in Mosedale (note the lady in knickerbockers and hat).

Middle: The upside down problem on the Y Boulder, Mosdedale. Dr Joseph Collier demonstrates his problem to AE Field.

     
 

Bottom: The famous Barndoor Traverse at the Wastwater Hotel. Dr Collier climbing, with Field fielding.

 

All photos date from the 1890s and were taken by the Abraham Brothers of Keswick - they are part of the FRCC collection in Abbot Hall, Kendal.
     

 

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Dow

The Pudding Stone (GR 281984)
The fellside and valleys around Levers Water and Low Water are strewn with boulders of all sizes. The best known of these is the Pudding Stone. It is situated below Low Waterfall and close to the beck. The stone is roughly rectangular 11 metres high with routes from a walk to 'nigh on impossible'. This area was known in early days as Boulder Valley.

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