3 Top Spots For Sport Climbing In England And Wales

Many climbers love the feeling of climbing outdoors. When you’re halfway up a cliff, feeling the breeze on your face and able to see landscapes from a new perspective, it’s easy to see why it’s a popular way to get back to nature. 

If you’ve got a campervan with a Drivelodge pop top roof, you’ve got the ideal base from which to explore crags and climbing routes too. But where are the best places to go in England and Wales? 

The following are three of the best options for the sheer variety of climbing routes available.

1. Trevor Quarry, Llangollen, North Wales

With over 150 routes in this disused limestone quarry, Trevor Quarry near Llangollen in North Wales is a big draw for climbers of all abilities. 

As there is a good mix of beginner, intermediate and expert sport climbing routes available, it’s a good spot to visit whether you are new to the sport and want to improve your skills or you are a seasoned climber looking for a challenge. 

If, like us, you’re based in the north-west, this is also an excellent option if you’re looking for somewhere within easy reach for a day of climbing. 

2. The Cuttings, Portland, Dorset

At the other end of the country (almost) is Portland, well known as a Mecca for climbers. The Cuttings is one of the most popular spots, with incredible views out to sea and across Weymouth Bay.

It also boasts a wide variety of well-climbed routes at various grades, again offering something for everyone. It’s popular with local and visiting climbers alike. If you’re taking a roadtrip down south, your campervan and its pop top roof will certainly come in handy!

3. Horseshoe Quarry, Stoney Middleton, Peak District

This is another relatively easy spot to reach if you’re in the north-west. This disused quarry primarily caters for those seeking lower to mid-grade sport climbing routes. Some of the crags here have delightful names like “chocolate blancmange wall”. 

There are over 350 climbing routes here, so it’s a spot you’ll likely want to revisit multiple times – or spend a weekend discovering.