House martins also frequently nest between May-September. Please avoid any routes with nests on or near to avoid damaging the nests, until the young have fledged. It will be obvious which nests are being used due to parents flying in and out. Whilst routes can be climbed once the young have fledged, they can return to the nest site to roost, so be careful not to damage the nests.

Parking and Approach

Parking at Kilnsey is becoming more difficult year on year as increasing numbers of climbers visit the crag. In recent years, poor parking through squeezing too many vehicles into the limited spaces available right by the crag has caused problems with blocked gates and vehicles projecting into the roadway. If this continues, it is very likely to cause friction with local communities and access problems could arise as a result.

For the sake of maintaining the good relationship between climbers and local people and so safeguarding access, please only park in the following locations (marked on the map), which mean a slightly longer approach, but will alleviate conflict through poor parking:

• Responsible parking on the Conistone bridge road, using the footpath through the fields to come out opposite the crag
• The large ‘ice cream van’ layby north of the crag has a good number of spaces available
• The Skirfare bridge parking area in a farmer's field is another option (£2/day)

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.