Climbs 20
Rocktype Sandstone (soft)
Altitude 55m a.s.l
Faces all
Steve Williams at the Agglestone © steve taylor
Crag features
The Agglestone is something of a mystery. How does a solitary giant sandstone boulder find itself in the middle of a heathland overlooking Poole Harbour?
The Agglestone has long been a venue for locals though in an effort to reduce wear and tear only scant details have previously been published. Continuing in this vein we have given the Agglestone a cursory mention only. The Southern Sandstone boys and girls have developed a nice set of ethics that are equally applicable to the similarly delicate Agglestone:
> No chipping, no brushing - use a rag instead.
> Use minimal chalk and clean away any excess.
> Clean the sand from your shoes before climbing and don't use pof.
> Don't drop litter.
Around 1969 the Agglestone drastically shifted. It was originally anvil shaped, with a flat top and slightly overhanging sides. Over the decades, the rock has continued tilting. The tilting is away from Studland and the original top is now a slab of about 45 degrees. All problems are affected, with those on the western sides becoming noticeably steeper!
The nature of the rock lends itself to eliminate problems and we have only described the most obvious features. The rock is rough, the bouldering is powerful and the landings excellent. So go there, respect the Aggle, be inventive and leave no trace.
Approach notes
From Corfe Castle - Leave the A351 just before Corfe Castle and take the B3351 under the railway bridge. Follow the B3351 to a 4-5 car lay-by 400m past the entrance to the Isle of Purbeck Golf Club.
From Poole (Ferry) - Follow the road from the ferry terminus through Studland village. Follow the road to a 4-5 car lay-by 900m past a turning to Swanage.
From the lay-by, go through a gate and follow the track northeast across the golf course. Pick up a bridleway signposted to the Agglestone. The bridleway is followed along the edge of the golf course to gates. Continue along the bridleway and the Agglestone will soon be in view.
An alternative approach, which is useful if combining with a beach visit, is from the road between Studland and the Knoll House Hotel to the north. The distance and time is about the same but can be a little boggy.
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Climbs at this crag
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