Bowden Doors is clearly too wet to climb today. The past two weeks have seen over 50mm of rain with no meaningful dry spell — the last significant rain was yesterday (6.6mm on June 11), and further light rain fell on June 12–16 with today recording 1.4mm. The rock will be saturated internally despite any surface drying, and the forecast offers no dry window in the coming days.
Based on weather conditions only — does not cover bird nesting restrictions or other access issues.
How accurate is this verdict?
Climbing Outlook
Site Details
The premier Northumberland sandstone crag, 2.6 miles west of Belford. A long WSW-facing escarpment with over 130 boulder problems and 97 trad/sport routes. Exposed hilltop position dries relatively quickly, but the porous Fell Sandstone still needs 2-3 dry days after heavy rain. Seasonal bird restriction June 1 - July 30.
Condition Notes
Porous Fell Sandstone requires 2-3 dry days after heavy rain. Exposed hilltop position aids drying but upper tier seepage can persist longer than lower boulders. Bird nesting restriction June 1 - July 30 may limit access.
Active Restriction — Kestrel/bird nesting
Avoid climbing from The Corner to the Overhanging Crack area. Kestrel nesting at Castle Crack end may cause additional temporary restrictions.
Jun 1 – Jul 30
Active Restriction — Kestrel/bird nesting
Avoid climbing from The Corner to the Overhanging Crack area. Kestrel nesting at Castle Crack end may cause additional temporary restrictions.
Jun 1 – Jul 30
Active Restriction — Kestrel/bird nesting
Avoid climbing from The Corner to the Overhanging Crack area. Kestrel nesting at Castle Crack end may cause additional temporary restrictions.
Jun 1 – Jul 30
Active Restriction — Kestrel/bird nesting
Avoid climbing from The Corner to the Overhanging Crack area. Kestrel nesting at Castle Crack end may cause additional temporary restrictions.
Jun 1 – Jul 30
Active Restriction — Kestrel/bird nesting
Avoid climbing from The Corner to the Overhanging Crack area. Kestrel nesting at Castle Crack end may cause additional temporary restrictions.
Jun 1 – Jul 30
- Rock Type
- Sandstone
- Wind Exposure
- Exposed
- Altitude
- 170m
- Climbing
- Trad Bouldering
- Aspects
- SW W
- Problems
- 137
- Routes
- 97
- Boulder Grades
- Font 3 – Font 8B+
- Trad Grades
- VDiff – E8
- Access
- CRoW Open Access
- Approach
- 5 min
Site Data
- Name
- Bowden Doors
- County
- Northumberland
- Rock Type
- Sandstone
- Climbing Types
- Trad, Bouldering
- Aspects
- SW, W
- Wind Exposure
- Exposed
- Altitude
- 170m
- Latitude
- 55.588
- Longitude
- -1.89
- OS Grid Ref
- NU 069327
- Access Type
- CRoW Open Access
- Approach Time
- 5 min
- Problem Count
- 137
- Route Count
- 97
- Boulder Grades
- Font 3 – Font 8B+
- Trad Grades
- VDiff – E8
- Tidal
- No
- Parking Notes
- Roadside parking on the B6349 west of Belford. Do not block gates — very wide farm vehicles pass through.
- Condition Notes
- Porous Fell Sandstone requires 2-3 dry days after heavy rain. Exposed hilltop position aids drying but upper tier seepage can persist longer than lower boulders. Bird nesting restriction June 1 - July 30 may limit access.
- ID
- 270db4ec-f119-425d-b7a0-c30b4e30c413
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