All eight BMC-owned crags are now designated as CROW access land
The last of the BMC-owned crags, Craig Y Longridge, in Lancashire, has been CROW-designated this spring, meaning all eight BMC-owned crags and their associated land will now be free to walk, run and climb on forever.
BMC Land and Property Manager, Phill Hargreaves, reports:
"All eight of our BMC/LPT-owned properties are now registered under the CROW (Countryside Rights Of Way Act 2000). CROW registration has been carried out voluntarily by the BMC over the last few years and Craig Y Longridge is the last one. It is only a small bouldering crag with not much land to access, but as an organisation that promotes outdoor access it was essential that we walk the walk and have it registered.
"Once the land is registered, even if it is sold on, the CROW registration carries on in perpetuity. The application and forms were sent off to Natural England last year but the formal designation didn't come into effect until 1 April 2025 as there is a 6-month waiting period. So now, all eight BMC owned crags are designated as CROW land."
Key aspects of the CROW Act:
The act defines "open access land" as land mapped as mountain, moor, heath, or down, or registered common land and it allows landowners to voluntarily dedicate land for public access.
The Act gives the public a right to walk, run, climb and sightsee on open access land, but not to camp, cycle, or ride horses. Find out more about the CROW Act and the history of the BMC's role in supporting the bill here.
Craig y Longridge
Craig y Longridge is a unique and severely overhanging sandstone bouldering / traversing crag near Longridge, Lancs. At 5-6m in height, it features a couple of incredible 75m traverses in the f8a+ to 8b+ range. Saved for climbers by the BMC from a housing development in 2007, Craig Y Longridge is guaranteed to make you strong - if you can hang on long enough.
A code of practice has been agreed to prevent disturbance to the houses below the crag. Please respect out neighbours and follow the crag code of conduct:
- No access before 10am or after 9pm (or sunset if earlier)
- Take your litter home with you
- No vehicles on site, parking nearby on public roads
- No dogs
- No radios or music
- Do not use the area as a toilet
- Respect our neighbours
- No activities other than rock climbing
- Fixed equipment for the rarely climbed routes on the right side of the crag has not been placed by, and is not maintained by the BMC. Climbers should exercise their own judgement on whether fixed equipment is reliable, as on any other crag.
Check the RAD for more info on this crag.
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