Harrison’s Rocks are owned and managed by the BMC for the benefit of climbers and the general public for recreation on foot. The rocks are well-equipped with bolts for top-roping and as with all southern sandstone crags the rock is very soft meaning leader placed gear cannot be used here as it will damage the rock. The only acceptable styles of climbing are top roping using a well rigged system that will not damage the rock with moving ropes, or if you are confident of your abilities - soloing. A group of volunteers periodically load-test the bolts, but there is no way to guarantee their strength and as with any crag all climbers should make their own assessment of fixed equipment before use.
Birchden Wood (the woodland surrounding Harrisons) is owned by Forestry England and has been dedicated as open access land. The fields to the west of the Rocks are private property. Any trespassing strains the good relations between climbers and our neighbours - if you are in charge of a group please make sure that your party is aware of this. For more information on Birchden Wood and the car park area please visit the Forestry England website.
Isolated Buttress access advice
The large block on the mainland opposite Isolated Buttress which was used to step across the gap has been removed due to it becoming unstable and dangerous. At the Sandstone Open Meeting in May 2015, considerable local opposition was voiced to the idea of construction of a bridge across to the pinnacle (to allow access from above). The Harrison's Rocks Management Group are monitoring the situation to help inform a decision on a long term solution.
In the meantime, please avoid abseiling or lowering off from routes on the Isolated buttress as this will increase wear to the fragile rock.
Various methods can be used to access the pinnacle and setup your ropes including soloing and being belayed across from above but these will be too risky for many climbers. The method which offers the most protection requires a very long length of rigging rope and is described in this short film on BMCTV or below:
To retreat from the pinnacle at the end of the session:
Reason: Other
The very south end of the Rocks is on private land and is fenced off – this covers five climbs, from Holly Tree Chimney to South Boulder - fortunately they are not worthwhile.
Rockfax Description
One of the best sandstone climbs in the area. A super outing following a series of breaks across the face, past two distinct potholes. One hard move near the top notches up the difficulty. © Rockfax
UKC Logbook Description
Start by the obvious worn footholds below and to the left of the potholes. Step up on to a small break and reach up right for another small break. Reach up again leaning right to an awkward hand shuffle to an imprint of a bear’s paw. Reach the crack and large ironstone jugs to finish. (Since 19 May 2019, part of the large jug at the top has broken off, please keep this into consideration when climbing the route).
N Barnard, J Morin, O Barnard, E Shipton, C Marriott, J Marples 1926.
Harrisons 1956 Climbs , Harrison's Rocks classic 5b's , Southern Sandstone apprenticeship. , Southern Sandstone Rockfax Top 50 , Southern Sandstone *** Routes , Sandstone Top 50
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Grade: 6b 5b ***
(Harrison's Rocks)