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Ines09 Jul 2013
Hello,
we (from Germany) want to visit Cornwall in August/September. Can anybody give me an advice which areas would be suitable for small kids (4,8), easy to get to and bolted or with the possibility to go toprope?
Cornwall is very traditional (no bolts) and has lots of seacliffs which don't have easy access.
You might consider climbing with the kids on granite tors of Dartmoor in south Devon. Smaller, shorter, easy access. Crags like Haytor, Hound Tor, Bonehill (all near Widdecombe on the Moor, which has a good campsite and pub) would be good choices.
What's wrong with the granite tors of Cornwall? Hawks Tor, Hellman tor (for bouldering)and as already mentions Roche Rock.
There's some sport in Luxulyan as well as Cheesewring.
Other options are places like Lantic bay, or Looe Beach with a small volume off routes each but have beaches to keep the kids entertained. Both on the south cast so less wind which will be warmer for prolonged beach sessions!
There is also stuff on the north coast which would be child and top rope friendly, I'm just not that familiar with it.
In reply to Ines: Probably your best bet in West Cornwall is Trewavas - http://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crag.php?id=212 this is single pitch, not tidal, easy access and OK to set up top ropes, yet it has the feel of a much bigger sea cliff. I've taken my kids climbing there - http://www.ukclimbing.com/images/dbpage.php?id=74312, also taken groups of teenage beginners, and been there with other parents and their kids. The tors on Bodmin Moor are also good (recommended above), but not as much fun as Trewavas. I wouldn't bother with bolted climbs - although there are a few in the granite quarries, they are mainly in the higher grades, not suitable for young kids and not really what Cornish climbing is about. If you are in North Cornwall, Vicarage Cliff http://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crag.php?id=692 could fit the bill, it's tidal, but you're climbing off the beach. You'd need to led the routes to set up top ropes though and the descent to the beach needs care - there's stakes and a hand-line in place, but you might want to put your little ones on a rope just in case.
