Restricted Access

The crag is within Earls Hill Nature Reserve which is managed by Shropshire Wildlife Trust. The Trust have a positive view of climbing here providing that people are sensitive to the ecological interests of the site. In particular the scree slopes should be treated with care. No camping and no fires, please.

The 'Fifty Foot Wall' routes were cleaned up and extensively restored in early 2013, with the intention of giving climbers an alternative area if (as often happens) Peregrines choose to nest on the main crag. Feel free to go try these - you might actually like them...

In late 2013, the Wildlife Trust undertook some further vegetation clearance work, mainly of invasive trees on the scree slopes, but also of scrub on the rocks. The intent was to improve the cliff environment from the climbers' point of view, as it will allow more light and air to dry the rocks better.

Seasonal Restrictions

Dates: 1 March to 16 July

Reason: Nesting Birds

Peregrines normally nest at Pontesford Rocks each year, with the nest site changing from year to year.

In 2020, we attempted to find a way to permit the use of some routes whilst closing others, but a number of incidents occurred which meant this was not really workable. This included one party who apparently abseiled right over the ledge with the nest and caused considerable consternation to the birds.

Mid March 2021

The birds have already been seen prospecting the crag, and the current assumption is that they will use the same next site as last year. In the circumstances, an agreement has been made between the BMC and the Shropshire Wildlife Trust to ask climbers to avoid the whole crag once again this year, until mid July, to avoid disturbance to the birds. The situation will be monitored by both the BMC and the SWT, and if it turns out that they choose a different next site, the situation will be reviewed and hopefully a new agreement can be made. In that case, the update will be published here on the Regional Access Database, and on notices in the fields etc at the foot of the crag. Please note that there is considerable local interest in the peregrines, and a number of nearby residents will once again be visiting the hill and surrounding paths on a frequent basis. Anyone seen climbing can expect to be robustly challenged! 

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Notes retained here from 2020 - update mid July 2020

The birds have now (16th July) successfully fledged two chicks, and no longer need to use the 'scrape'/nest site.

All routes at the crag can now be considered open, and the site signage is being removed as soon as it can be.

The Shropshire Wildlife Trust, The Shropshire Peregrine Group and the BMC would like to thank all climbers who have avoided the rocks during the 2020 nesting season.