Parking and Approach

Please only park in the long stay (paid) visitor car parks whilst at the crag. Parking in private staff car parks or any short stay shop car parks in the village will lead to bad relations with landowners and locals.

CRoW Information

Open access land, designated under the Countryside & Rights of Way Act (2000) give area access rather than linear access as provided by public rights of way. It also gives a legal right of access specifically for climbing, as well as walking and other quiet recreation on foot.

Please bear in mind however that the landowner still has the right to restrict access for up to 28 days per year (often used on public safety grounds for shooting in moorland areas), and can also apply for longer term restrictions with Natural England (such as bans on dogs, or regular restrictions during particular times of year). It is important to check for these restrictions regularly as they can be added at short notice – all details for open access land in England can be found on Natural England’s website.  

Group Advice

Most of the land on the north side of the Gorge is mapped as access land, which gives a legal right of access for recreational users, but not for commercial users without landowner permission. 

The National Trust does not, as a rule allow commercial activity (i.e those paying for instruction) on their land in the Gorge. However providers can ask permission by calling the ranger team on 01452 814213 and in certain circumstances this may be given.  Non-commercial groups for whom no money is changing hands are free to access the crags, providing they follow the access advice above.