Crag features

An esoteric bouldering venue with an eclectic mix of problems in different styles. Mostly low problems with good landings.

Warning - see advice below regarding ticks.

Please respect the area - if you find any litter or rubbish do your bit and take it with you to the bin in the layby on your way out.

Make sure your climbing shoes are clean before climbing, bring a rag to wipe your feet, use chalk responsibly, don't place large tick marks and remove discrete ones, don't overbrush holds it will only polish or erode them.

The rock is a harder form of oolitic limestone which is a bit different to normal limestone. Its quite sandy in places, and so is not suitable to climb while wet. Watch out for friable sections and avoid them.
It does not dry well after heavy rain due to the forest - give it a few days to dry out. The ground gets very muddy also.
In summer it can get very hot and humid inside the forest.
Best conditions are often found on a cool evening.

NB Watch out for ticks: In the woodland there are deer ticks that carry lyme disease - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lyme-disease/
It can be an unpleasant and permanent condition with no agreed treatment. Take precautions:
i) apply insect repellent or smidge around your ankles, neck, arms, wrists and waist
ii) wear long sleeves and trousers where possible - especially when walking through undergrowth
iii) get a tick card or needle nosed tweezers before visiting.
iv) get someone else to check you for ticks after a visit. They look like 1-3mm specs of dirt, but if you gently brush them you will see its legs wave around. They are quite 2D. Bites can sometimes feel numb or tingly. Backs of your calves, armpits, neck and ankles are common areas to find them.
The sooner you remove them after finding them, the lower the chance you have of contracting anything.
Find out how to remove them safely online, but do not squeeze, burn or flick them - this can cause contamination of your blood.

Some classics:
Yes Tree Crack f4, The Wurzels f5, Sharp Angle f5+, Apex Problem f6A (highball), Sally on the Hood f6A, Rubble Pit f6A+, Darkside of the Moon f6B, Tractor Traverse f6C, Under the Fridge f6C, Ice Cold f6C, Slopey Traverse f7A, Sub Zero f7B, One Infinity Traverse Reversed f7B, All Elements f8A

The local council have said that the boulders are on Common Land owned by them and they have no issue with people climbing.
However there have been a few conversations with people either claiming to be or to know the landowner, and they have said that it is private land.
Other parts of the woodland are privately owned, and some areas near Brown's Folly are SSSI - do not remove or disturb any vegetation there.

Please park responsibly in the layby. The main road is quite busy and there are often large trucks and lorries passing by.
There have unfortunately been car break-ins this year in the layby, so be careful to not leave any valuables on display (or in your car at all).

If you encounter anyone who takes issue with people climbing there be cordial and respectful, take their details and pass them on to the BMC rep (access@thebmc.co.uk or fletch73@msn.com).
If you're asked to leave, do so and report the situation to the BMC.