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Battleship area

Portland

A fantastic collection of crags and boulders with easy access, superb rock and grades to suit all abilities - justifiably popular!

Crag information
Climbing Area: South West & Southern Rock Type: Limestone
Importance: Regional CRoW Land: No
Ownership: Unknown No. of Routes: 274
Within National Park: No Year Developed: 1979
Grid Reference: SY679706

The crags take very little seepage and have everything from long, steep stamina pitches on the Back Cliff to slabby, low grade lines on Battleship Block, a huge variety of route on Battleship Edge and the newest additions of The Attic, The Balcony and The Veranda which provide short but popular mid grade routes. Battleship Edge and Back Cliff face west and catch afternoon and evening sun, whilst the Block gets morning sun and provides welcome shade on hot afternoons.

Underneath the main crags are a collection of large boulders with many good problems to explore, but landings are typically very rocky for bouldering mats are essential.

Parking and Approach

Two parking locations are possible:

  • Reap Lane on the northern end of Southwell offers roadside parking providing you are considerate by avoiding parking directly in front of houses and don’t hang around at your car for too long.
  • Alternatively, the signposted 'Climbers & Walkers Car Park' at the far south west corner of the housing estate in Weston can be used, as for Blacknor. This is pay and display and parking wardens regularly patrol this car park so don't be tempted not to pay! Don’t park elsewhere on the housing estate - if the car park is full, park on the main street in Weston and walk down the path next to the Royal Exchange pub.
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3
Anonymous User
31/08/2018
The veranda had a lot of cheeky lead climbs, enjoyed it and i think the routes there are a must.
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Anonymous User
06/09/2018
Awesome day climbing the different routs on the veranda. Few cheeky routs and some not so hard routs perfect for beginners.
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Anonymous User
22/05/2021
The approach described in the Dorset Rockfax no longer exists. There is a new descent with a chain handrail further south the drops into the gap between battleship edge and backwall
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    Battleship area

    Portland