UKC

Climbs 34
Rocktype Limestone
Altitude 109m a.s.l
Faces S

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Crag features

The area of woodland next to the A38 containing the two quarries is shown as CROW land on most maps these days.  There is a third quarry to the North but no access has been given. The main crag at Churchill is the large slab which rising above the A38 which has several easy routes, it is quick to dry and is a superb venue for novices.100 metres up the road(on the same side) is the Southern Outcrop,which used to be a very gloomy place, but is now coming to life.Climbers tempted to explore the place would be un-noticed by the traffic rushing by just yards away.On the left as you enter The Southern Outcrop is a slim pillar of rock, The Gendarme. Straight in front of you is the imposing Balcombe`s Wall and to the right of this are the Scurvy Corners bounded on the right by the newly unearthed Humbug Wall (so-called because of the Toffee like vertical stripes)which is producing some bold routes. On the Northern Slab are a number of historically important routes mostly attributed to Graham Balcombe(climber, caver, diver)

Approach notes

Half a mile south of Churchill village overlooking the A38. The land is shown as CRoW land on most maps. It's ownership is unclear although it is probably common land with some locals claiming grazing rights.The owner of the tunnel at the Southern Outcrop is Bristol Water. They have cut down a lot of the trees and cleared some fallen ones opening up the outcrop slightly more.As they do not own the surrounding land they have no interest in climbing there. To get to the clifftop walk up the public footpath a few metres north of the crag then turning back south as you reach the the top of the bank. Park up on the top of the hill on the Batch rather than trying to park on the A38. This also allows you to roll gently back down to the wonderfully idiosyncratic Crown public house.

Restricted Access

Climbing in the quarry was historically banned by the landowner. However, parts of the surrounding land and some of the rock face are now mapped as Open Access land.

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The Pylon King - 13/Mar/24
Route names are wrong on UKC. The Mendip Outcrops book is correct. Details taken from original document by Balcombe. Sort it moderator.
The Pylon King - 13/Mar/24
No Bstar. The route names and grades in the GWR book are accurate and historically correct. It is indeed UKC that is incorrect.
The Pylon King - 13/Mar/24
At the time of writing, the new GWR Mendips 2023 guidebook seems to have many discrepancies with route names & grades on UKC.
BStar - 08/Jan/24
Stabilisation work has caused small rock fall from top of Humbug Wall, which will have changed finishing moves. Has also exposed smaller cliff at end of Southern Outcrop, above tunnel.
leland stamper - 15/Apr/15
Lot of tree felling and clearing on Southern outcrop this week, giving a more open view of the rock and a few more routes to do!
leland stamper - 21/Nov/14
Speaking to somebody in the know at the Bristol climbing festival, its seems like the water authority that own the southern outcrop are soon to be doing some major work on the tunnel and rock stabilisation on the faces. I don't know how this will eventually affect the crag but is probably worth keeping an eye on developments and reporting on here if possible.
The Pylon King - 25/Aug/14
The section of "Heras" fencing has now been extended right across the crag,this however should not stop anyone wanting to climb at The Southern Outcrop as it can easily be circumvented by going round the back of the crag along a public footpath.
deepstar - 14/Dec/13
A large tree has fallen at the Southern Outcrop and although it has not affected any of the climbs the owners of the tunnel have erected an enclosure of Heras Fencing around the entrance,probably as a safety measure rather than a deterent to climbers.The fence can be easily circumnavigated so climbers can carry on as before(with care!)
deepstar - 03/Nov/13
Reaching maturity!!
The Pylon King - 30/Jun/13
Jackdaws nest in the many holes at the Southern Outcrop so is best to stay away from April - July.
The Pylon King - 03/Apr/13
The area at the bottom of the slabs is being coppiced by someone at the moment,I havent been present when this is going on but have climbed there regularly over the past couple of months.Please try and keep a low profile if you are intending to climb at Churchill and park considerately.
deepstar - 10/Mar/13
This crag is a real hidden gem with loads of history and no bloody sport climbing, seal of approval!
Quarryboy - 03/Mar/13
Cycled over from clevedon to have a bit of soloing fun. Great slab but couldn't locate the other outcrop.
Stanners - 10/Dec/11
The BMC have said that the crag is covered by the CRoW act, so i climbed here the other day for the first time. i didn't get turfed out, and the climbing was fun, though the cracks have become somewhat vegetated since climbing was last allowed! Sam
sam the man - 19/Dec/06
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