Southern Sandstone Explained

Southern Sandstone is a local name for the Ardingly Sandstone of southeast England, a soft sandstone of Cretaceous age separating the Tunbridge Wells Sands from the overlying Grinstead Clay. The outcrops in the Weald of Kent are the rock climbing crags closest to London and are probably the most heavily climbed in the UK.^[1]

Geology

The horizon of thick, cross-bedded, fine-to-medium grained quartz sandstone separating the Tunbridge Wells Sands from the overlying Grinstead Clay is known as Ardingly Sandstone. It is particularly well exposed throughout the region between East Grinstead, West Sussex, and Tunbridge Wells, Kent.^[1]

Climbing

Stone Farm and Harrisons Rocks are managed by the British Mountaineering Council (BMC). The rock is particularly soft and care needs to be taken to prevent erosion. It is climbed either solo or on a top-rope. Many bolts have been placed at the top of the crags. Soloing requires no more equipment than bouldering.^[2]

Locations

Southern Sandstone is outcrops of sandstone situated in the Weald of Kent, on the borders of Kent and East Sussex.^[3]

Major Outcrops

• Bowles Rocks, Harrisons Rocks, High Rocks, High Rocks Continuation Wall and High Rocks Annexe near Crowborough
• Bull's Hollow Rocks west of Tunbridge Wells
• Chiddinglye Rocks near West Hoathly
• Eridge Green Rocks in Eridge Green, four miles south of Tunbridge Well
• Stone Farm Rocks south of East Grinstead

Minor Outcrops

• Basset's Farm Rocks, near Cowden
• Chiddinglye Wood Rocks near West Hoathly
• Happy Valley Rocks west of Tunbridge Wells
• Ramslye Farm Rocks, south of High Rocks
• Jockey's Wood Rocks, Penn's House Rocks, and Rocks Wood are in Penn's Rocks near Eridge. This is an SSI and climbing is not allowed.
• Under Rockes, south of Rotherfield

External links

• Code of Practice for climbing on southern sandstone
• Harrisons Rocks Management Group
• Sandstone Volunteers Group
• Bowles Outdoor Centre
• Bowles Rocks Bouldering Guide
• Wealden Sandstone
• Southern Sandstone Climbs
• Ye Olde Southern Sandstone & UKCrags archived sites from 2007
• Tunbridge Wells Mountaineering Club
• Southern Sandstone Climbing Crags on Google Maps

Further reading

• Southern Sandstone and the Sea Cliffs of the South-East England by Mike Vetterlein and Robin Mazinke, 2008,
• Southern Sandstone Bouldering by James O'Neil and Ben Read, 2011,
• Sandstone - Climbing in South East England by David Atchison-Jones, 2010,

51°N 0.2°W

Notes and References

1. News: Messenger. Alex. Southern Sandstone: guidelines. The British Mountaineering Council. 9 July 2011.
2. Web site: 2012-09-16 . Southern Sandstone rock climbing near london . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140309143643/http://www.tryclimbing.co.uk/learn-how-to-rock-climb-online/rock-climbing-venues-for-beginners/southern-sandstone-rock-climbing-near-london/ . 2014-03-09 . TryClimbing.
3. http://www.southernsandstoneclimbs.co.uk/p/climbing-areas.html Southern Sandstone Climbs - Climbing Areas