SANDSTONE - SOUTH EAST ENGLAND

BOWLES ROCKS

3 miles S-W of Tunbridge Wells

This outcrop is a commercial outdoor centre, with dry ski slope and accomodation chalets. The ski area is actually done rather nicely (Scotland should take note), with charm and wood used. The outcrop is very nicely managed with footpaths to the top, plus a road etc. It is just a shame that some berk built a brick swimming pool in the middle - when the view across open corn fields was previously fabulous.

ROUTES

The climbing is excellent here. As you enter the outcrop, the size is quite impressive. There are suprisingly few routes however - only 70-80 ish. They are nearly all classics though, and give a very good spread across the grades. There are classics of every difficulty here. The grass lawn below offers a very good area to picnic, laze about, talk, and generally watch everyone else climb. An ideal spot to come to for the first time, and if it may suddenly pour with rain.