Climbs 317
Rocktype Sandstone (hard)
Altitude 170m a.s.l
Faces W
Ali anticipating the do-or-deck crux of Poseidon Adventure (E4 6a), Bowden Doors, Northumberland © Jamie Moss
Crag features
disclaimer: this sublime crag is not a 'quick drying' venue as previously described. County sandstone is extremely fragile and slow to dry, especially when the outer 'patina' is damaged as is the case with many classics, avoid running laps, clean yer boots. [JT]
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A half-mile or so of superb 7-15m climbs, of all grades, but tending to the technical. At the northern end, the rock is overhung in the shape of a breaking wave - really rather eerie. Good views of the coast from the top. Bowden is part of the same outcrop as Back Bowden Doors (about a mile away), and Kyloe Crags (10km north; 15km by road). [Simon Smith]
Approach notes
From the A1, the crag lies to the west. Find Belford (25Km south of Berwick, 15km north of Alnwick) and take the B6349 signed to Wooler, from the centre of the village. After passing a right turn (or fork) after 4km, continue for 200 yards or so until you surmount a small hill and reach a short plateau; park on the grass verge. The crags - not particularly obvious from the road - are through a farm gate on the right, set back 100 yards across a cow-field.
>From the A697, the crag lies to the east. Find Wooler, and take the B6348 signed to Belford. After about 3.5km, the road takes a 90 degree right turn, and after another 300 yards or so, you should take a left turn onto the B6349 signed Belford. Continue for about 6km until you climb a small hill and find the plateau; park on the verge. The crag is to your left. [Simon Smith]
Do not block the gates to the fields as they are in constant use by the farmer.
Access Advice
Please refrain from climbing until the rock is properly dry - the sandstone becomes brittle after rain.
Seasonal Restrictions
Dates: 1 June to 30 July
Reason: Nesting Birds
Please avoid the area from The Corner to the Overhanging Crack. There are protected nesting birds in the area. Please give it a wide berth.
There's been a Kestrel spotted at the top of Castle Crack at the end of May 2025. Please give them space and avoid climbing the immediately surrounding routes. The kestrel chicks should be independent of their parents by the start of August, but do proceed with caution.
| The end of the wall above Castle Wall and Wall Crack has been moved back 5m, the remainder of the wall has been trundled down the face so watch for loose rocks at the bottom and dust on holds. jonnie3430 - 12/Apr/15 |
Climbs at this crag
| Name | Grade | Stars | Type | Logs | Partner Ascents |
|---|
These climbs you have climbed by seconding or top-roping.
These climbs you have Dogged.
These climbs you Did not Finish.
Climbs are waiting to be checked by a crag moderator, and may not be accurate. Climbs can't be verified by a crag moderator, and they need more information to confirm it. Climbs are no longer climbable.
Moderators Updates to this page are checked by UKC volunteers Jon Tweedlie and TallAndyC