Access and Conservation

Make a real difference

Our campaigns our fuelled by donations from members and organisations. All money donated to the Access and Conservation Trust - the BMC's registered charity - goes into facilitating conservation and education projects across England and Wales.

Regional Access Database (RAD)

The BMC's Regional Access Database is the source of the most up to date access advice for climbers in England & Wales. Check it before you head out to a crag to see in there's any bird restrictions, access restrictions, parking requirements and log any updates you find that we need to know about.

ACCESS NEWS

Access News

Watery rewilding success at BMC-owned Horseshoe Quarry, Peak District

Horseshoe Quarry, also known as Furness Quarry, was purchased by the BMC in 2005. Almost three decades on, rewilding there has already been fantastically successful, with hundreds of newts and toad tadpoles spotted in the pond this spring.

04 Jun
8 min read

Rock Climbing News

Climbing legend Chris Bonington helps BMC access iconic Skeleton Ridge route on The Needles, Isle of Wight

With the help from Chris Bonington and other legendary climbers, the BMC has reached an agreement with the Isle of Wight National Trust about rock climbing access at Skeleton Ridge on The Needles.

31 May
3 min read

Access & Conservation

Senedd scraps cut-off date for recording historic paths in Wales

Last week, the Senedd in Cardiff passed the Legislation (Procedure, Publication and Repeals) (Wales) Bill, effectively removing the threat of thousands of unrecorded footpaths being lost across Wales.

30 May
3 min read

Access & Conservation

Unsightly, polluting, plastic matting in the Peak District ordered to be removed

After lobbying from BMC Peak Area Access Reps and others, DEFRA has ruled that the landowner must now comply with an existing enforcement notice requiring them to remove a plastic matting track on Midhope Moor.

29 May
3 min read

Contact an access rep

Wondering where to report a rockfall update or a bird nest that isn't listed on RAD? Get in contact with our local area reps.

LATEST ACCESS ARTICLES

Access News

Watery rewilding success at BMC-owned Horseshoe Quarry, Peak District

Horseshoe Quarry, also known as Furness Quarry, was purchased by the BMC in 2005. Almost three decades on, rewilding there has already been fantastically successful, with hundreds of newts and toad tadpoles spotted in the pond this spring.

04 Jun
8 min read

Rock Climbing News

Climbing legend Chris Bonington helps BMC access iconic Skeleton Ridge route on The Needles, Isle of Wight

With the help from Chris Bonington and other legendary climbers, the BMC has reached an agreement with the Isle of Wight National Trust about rock climbing access at Skeleton Ridge on The Needles.

31 May
3 min read

Access & Conservation

Senedd scraps cut-off date for recording historic paths in Wales

Last week, the Senedd in Cardiff passed the Legislation (Procedure, Publication and Repeals) (Wales) Bill, effectively removing the threat of thousands of unrecorded footpaths being lost across Wales.

30 May
3 min read

Access & Conservation

Unsightly, polluting, plastic matting in the Peak District ordered to be removed

After lobbying from BMC Peak Area Access Reps and others, DEFRA has ruled that the landowner must now comply with an existing enforcement notice requiring them to remove a plastic matting track on Midhope Moor.

29 May
3 min read

GET INVOLVED

Check out the full list of access and conservation volunteering opportunities, including footpath mending, sphagnum moss planting, invasive species eradication and seagrass planting days.

CLIMATE ARTICLES

Access News

Support seagrass planting by shopping at Cotswold Outdoor this summer

Cotswold Outdoor invite you to round up your payment at the till in aid of The Climate Project: Seagrass from the BMC's Access & Conservation Trust until 30 June 2025.

23 May
2 min read

Access News

Be wildfire aware: what to do during high fire risk

With the recent spell of hot, dry weather, many of us are eager to get outdoors. But these same conditions bring a serious and growing risk: wildfires.

16 May
3 min read

Access News

790,000 sphagnum moss plugs planted by BMC volunteers!

BMC volunteers have planted a grand total of 790,000 sphagnum plugs in the Goyt Valley, Peak District, since our Get Stuck In volunteer events started in 2023.

05 May
2 min read

Access News

Not just an outdoor store - Cotswold Outdoor staff support BMC's The Climate Project

The BMC's Premium Partner, Cotswold Outdoor, has once again shown a hugely generous level of support to The Climate Project from the BMC's Access & Conservation Trust, by sending staff to plant sphagnum moss in the Peak District.

30 Apr
2 min read

CAMPAIGNS

From footpath repair, to organised litter picks on the hills, to rallying members to write to their MPs asking for the removal of the sale of disposable BBQs, we have a great range of campaigns to get behind. Find out more about our active campaigns, and why they're making a difference to the British hills you love.

RESOURCES

Trusts and Charities

Access and Conservation Trust

The BMC's Access and Conservation Trust (ACT) funds vital projects that protect our crags and mountains. It promotes sustainable access to crags, mountains and open countryside through education and conservation projects across Great Britain.

Land and Property Trust

The BMC owns eight crags across England and Wales, and actively supports the management of several others for the benefit of climbers. Some sites have been given to us over the years while others have been purchased or acquired at auction to secure long-term access.

Mountain Heritage Trust

Mountain Heritage Trust is committed to safeguarding the stories, traditions, and legacies woven into these rugged landscapes. It's archive of films, images, books and artefacts echo some of Britain’s most iconic achievements.

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