UKC

Climbs 45
Rocktype Gritstone
Altitude 320m a.s.l
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Cambridge Crack © RobBrooks

Crag features

This craggy outcrop is a prominent feature on the Cheshire-Staffordshire border and is clearly visible from miles around. The Folly Castle is a well-known local landmark some 7 miles north of Stoke-on-Trent.

The Old Man of Mow is an impressive feature, however access to climbers is refused on grounds of alleged instability. For the rest, the rock is as uninviting as the worst Knypersley can throw at you, without its compensatory sylvan charms.

Approach notes

The Folly Cliff and nearby quarries lie on the eastern side of the Folly, whilst the Old Man lies 200m to the northwest, back across Castle Road and along a sign-posted footpath.

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Last updated on 13/Mar/2024

Restricted Access

This whole area is popular with the general public due to its folly, viewpoints etc. The National Trust has concerns over the state of the rock and dangers to the public. Do not climb on The Old Man (it continues to shed rock and lean with increasing angle each year). In addition, the area also contains a few disused quarries inc; Millstone Quarry is not NT land and ownership is uncertain. If you climb here be sensitive to the privacy of the people in the bungalows to the north.

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Last update: 19/12/2022  

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No one seemed to bothered about us climbing up the old man of mow. Some even stopped to take pictures. I don't know how to reach the bolt on top, any ideas would be helpful :)
RobBrooks - 26/Oct/14
Went boulder up there 19th June 2010. Was told i wasn't allowed as people get hurt and NT is liable. so I duly de-shoed and walked down chatting with the wardens about how nice the place is. They then said that if i was a member of the BMC with reg card to back up insured liablity they do not have a problem climbing anywhere on mow cop. just inform them when and where. They did also say that The Old Man is totally off limits as the crack is being measured constantly as it grows wider all the time. Very unstable. Any mor edetails give me a message.
ungracefulathlete - 20/Jun/10
Previous post has page breaks removed! Email detail starts at "The last meeting" and ends at "guidebook notes state."---My personal comments start from "When I try to climb there again".
EZ - 08/Nov/09
I have had a response from the BMC as follows: The last meeting that I had with the Nat Trust was well before the 2004 guide and I met with their Officer from Styal Office. Millstone Quarry was not part of their jurisdiction or ownership and they did not know who owned it, although he did express the opinion that if no one claimed ownership then the N.T. might 'claim'it. However, even if this has happened it is no reason to prevent climbing as there were no objections to climbing per se raised at this meeting. All they asked for was that climbers did not create a nuisance to the owners of the bungalows on the north side of the quarry. The Reach HS 4a is not near these bungalows. Their restrictions at Mow are for two reasons: 1. Danger to the public walking underneath - Folly Cliff. 2. Unstable rock - The Old man. Other than that the N.T. Officer had no objection to climbing either at the Trig Point or at the back (south side) under the Folly as the guidebook notes state. When I try to climb there again I will do so sensitively by advising the Styal National Trust office of my intention, parking elsewhere than the NT car park, and with this email printed and a copy of the most recent guidebook in my hand so that I can advise the wardens when approached. For reference the response to me was from Guy Keating and the Local Access rep who handled the enquiry was Dave Bishop. Thanks to these and the BMC for their work regarding this access issue.
EZ - 08/Nov/09
I have just been asked to leave the Millstone Quarry area by the National Trust wardens (three of them). The regional access database was last updated in 2006 stating that the Millstone Area is not owned by the NT ( http://www.thebmc.co.uk/bmccrag/ViewCrag.aspx?id=751 ). I am currently waiting for response from the BMC to advise and will update here accordingly.
EZ - 17/Oct/09
Eh up mate, call in next time you're up here.
rcs - 16/Jul/08
Climbing is not allowed on The folly Cliff, Hawk’s Hole Quarry and the Old Man of Mow. Climbers are tolerated on Millstone Quarry but you will get questioned by the warden who seems to have the ability to appear like the shop keeper in Mr Ben, talk to him he’s not a bad chap, the main worry is the loose rock and the local kids trying to copy what you are doing
NIGBEE - 19/May/06
climbing is no longer allowed at mow cop
deeje - 24/Oct/05
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