UKC

Kilnsey Crag for Sale at £150,000

© Savills York

Kilnsey, the popular limestone sport climbing cliff in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, is currently listed for sale at a guide price of £150,000 as part of an area of land measuring 18.76 acres. The listing of a British crag on the open market is believed to be unprecedented.

Kilnsey Crag.  © Savills York
Kilnsey Crag.
© Savills York

'Kilnsey' is one of the 'Big Three' limestone cliffs in Yorkshire, alongside Malham and Gordale. The steep 50m cliff is home to over 300 routes, the majority of which are hard sport climbs up to 9a, including the classic Northern Lights 9a.

The crag's listing on the real estate website Rightmove highlights its significance to climbers:

'Kilnsey Crag is internationally recognised amongst the rock climbing community as one of the most iconic and challenging climbs to be conquered.'

The cliff and land are designated as open access under the Countryside Rights of Way Act (CROW). The area is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and provides a habitat for at-risk species of flora and fauna. 

Will Douglas, a director in Savills' rural agency who is handling the sale, told UKC: "The availability of such an internationally recognised cliff represents a unique opportunity. Kilnsey Crag is the backdrop and natural amphitheatre to the famous, annual Kilnsey Agricultural Show and is a popular tourist attraction.

"The sale offers significant natural capital, amenity, biodiversity and environmental opportunities and we fully expect its availability will capture the imagination of many interested buyers."

Interested parties are encouraged to contact the estate agent Savills. When viewing the land, prospective purchasers have been warned: 'Do not attempt to climb or access the top of the Crag.' Exceptions for experienced climbers may apply. 

The land on offer.  © Savills York
The land on offer.
© Savills York

Climbers have raised concerns about the potential impact of a sale on climbing access. On Twitter, British climbing pioneer John Dunne wrote: 'I hope that @Team_BMC are on this issue as Kilnsey Crag is for sale - let's not lose it.'

Other recreational access rights are directly addressed in the listing: 'The sporting rights (shooting and fishing) are reserved to third parties and are not included in the sale.'

The listing has attracted more lighthearted comments in our forums:

'£150k? Might be a bit steep.'

'Looks like it's got damp issues in those photos.' 

Take a look at all the classic routes you could own in our Kilnsey UKC Logbook page.


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6 Jun, 2023

Surely what Yorkshire needs is some glamping pods suspended from an impressively tall cliff…

https://www.wired.com/2015/07/cliff-hanging-sleep-pods-take-glamping-new-heights/

6 Jun, 2023

Enigmatic ! does it mean other parties already have a right to shoot, and will keep it ? Or have have taken an option and may close the deal, getting shooting rights at the cliff ?

7 Jun, 2023

it would only take £150 donation from a 1000 people to buy it. It’s not beyond the realms of possibilities to be climber owned, then managed by the BMC. I would definitely donate

7 Jun, 2023

The problem with The BMC buying crags is that it can encourage landowners to restrict access to climbers in order to force The BMC to purchase.

7 Jun, 2023

Big Depot Kilnsey maybe? 😂

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