Girlguiding UK Climbing and Abseiling Scheme

Directions: 5m ENE of Otley. A659 to Pool, then L on the A658 going NE. At Huby turn L & go through the village on the small road to Stainburn, after 1m the road bends L and the crag is on the R in 1 min. Observe parking restrictions (the closest point to park obstructs a farmer's gate, but there is good aprking provided in a layby - follow signs.)

SPA required.

Brimham Rocks

SPA

This is a beauty spot in its own right; a series of buttresses standing in grassy areas with all gardes of climb, scrambling and just looking around. A superb spot.

Directions: 9m NW of Harrogate. Take B6165 to Summerbridge, where a small road on the R leads up the steep hill to the rocks in about 1.5miles.

Buckden House, Buckden, Yorkshire Dales

Buckden, Skipton, Yorkshire, BD23 5JA.

Buckden House is Bradford LEA's outdoor centre, and is AALA licensed. There is a tiny 'climbing wall' on the side of the house, really a facility to practise movement and boulder which is suitable for younger children. It is about 4m high. There is also abseiling from a tree in the grounds.

The centre is however a great location for a residential, and they offer climbing as a part of their activities. The main crag used is Bull Scar, Coniston (listed here).

The centre can take groups of up to 57 with bedrooms, a kit issue facility, drying area and classrooms. They offer a variety of activities and can run a whole course for you. Although primarily designe to cater for Bradford groups, they are keen to fill vacant times with other groups and will offer a very good rate for Guides.

Overall: An extremely friendly centre. The climbing wall is just a starter, but this could be a good base for a residential course.

Some information sent by Buckden House themselves:

"Bradford’s first adventurous residential centre occupies the old manor house in the centre of Buckden, next to the medieval hunting forest of Langstrothdale Chase. We welcome bookings throughout the year from February onwards.

Recently updated with Big Lottery Fund money, Buckden House has beds for seventy-five; students being accommodated in comfortable dormitories of up to eight beds, and staff in single or twin rooms. Up to two groups may visit at any time, each being provided with its own meeting room and a small study area. We have tried to maintain the friendly and cosy atmosphere that many of our past clients have commented on.

As a fully licensed outdoor centre we can offer activities such as climbing, archery, caving, and walks of all levels of difficulty; as well as providing materials for village studies, orienteering, and other fieldwork on request. All instructors are fully qualified drivers and first-aiders, as well as holding the appropriate National Governing Body Awards. We aim to provide the appropriate level of adventure for all our visitors, while maintaining our excellent safety record.

Residential visits are priced to include all that is required to run a successful visit, from the first evening meal to the last packed lunch. Appropriate protective clothing and all safety equipment is provided for clients by the centre – the only other necessary expenditure is the cost of transport to Buckden House.

We also offer day visits for groups unable to stay away from home overnight, or resident elsewhere, using the same qualified staff and well-tried venues. Our newly installed High Ropes Course will be of particular interest to those wanting an exciting, motivating, yet controllable activity for their students."

Bull Scar/Conistone Crags, Conistone, Yorkshire Dales

GR 988677

Bull Scar is listed in some lists as Conistone Crags, with an incorrect Grid Reference - so be careful! The reference in the list will take you to the middle of a field. Peaceful, though.

This is a NW facing limestone crag, abut 15m high and at the top of a steep slope. The crag is ideal for beginners with plenty of easy rock. Belays are good, with plentiful anchors - but bring a long static rope to back up anchors to the boulders behind.

Access is via a path (10-15 mins) from Conistone via a dry limestone gorge. The crag is the obvious one to be seen at the top of the slpe as the gorge opens out.

SPA required.

Overall: a lovely location to climb, with good easy routes for groups.

Inglesport Climbing Barn, Ingleton,Yorkshire Dales

Inglesport, The Square, Ingleton.

Tel: 015242 41146

In the middle of Ingleton is a barn owned by the Inglesport climbing & caving equipment shop. This is due to be extended soon. The wall is 13m high with full mats, leading walls and slabs. An extensive commercial type climbing facility. You must register & pay at the shop before entering the barn (which is down the road).

No ropes in site, so if you want to set up ropes you must lead. SPA required to instruct here; GUK Level 1 not accepted. 1:6 ratio No young people under 8 years. Belay devices only; no Italian hitches.

Open 7 days; Mon-Thurs 9am - 10pm; Fri 9-5.30; Sat/Sun 9-6 £3pp for groups

Overall: a good commercial type climbing wall; a little short on floor space so taking groups at peak times might be awkward - call ahead first.

Bewerley Park Outdoor Centre, Pateley Bridge, Yorkshire Dales.

Bewerley, Pateley Bridge, nr. Harrogate, N.Yorks, HG3 5JB. Tel: 01423 711287 Fax: 712648

This centre was listed as one used by Guides locally; however it is a Yorkshire CC centre and can't remember any Guide groups - although they would be welcome. This is another centre which is primarily for LEA schools but will take groups in spare spaces. Courses are fully residential and include everything. Many activities available. The centre is AALA licensed.

Overall: This seems ike a typical LEA centre - well organised with plenty of facilities if a little institutionalised in its atmosphere.

The Foundry Climbing Centre, Sheffield.

Mowbray Street, Sheffield. Tel: 0114 279 6331

The Foundry is one of the longest established and best commercial climbing walls in the UK. It is located in an old foundry in the central area of Sheffield and has a number of climbing areas from beginners slabs to very difficult bouldering and training walls.

This is an excellent facility for groups and the only drawback is that if you go there on a bad weather day it may be busy - make sure you ring to ask first.

Qualifications: You need an SPA with a ratio of 1:6. You must produce a public liability insurance certificate if you are instructing yourself.

Special requirements: Tie in using a Fig 8 or bowline to the harness (i.e. not a karabiner), don't use Fig 8 descenders to belay with. Read the rules when you arrive, and all participants must sign in on entry.

Instruction: If required this can be provided by Foundry Mountain Activities (AALA licensed) on 0114 276 3995

Overall: Excellent.

The Edge Climbing Centre, Sheffield

John Street, Sheffield, S2 4QU. Tel: 0114 275 8899 Fax: 0114 273 8899

This is a very good commercial wall with several large walls and faces and plenty to do for every ability level. The wall is ideal for groups, and the staff are friendly and helpful.

Qualifications: SPA is standard; however they are willing to allow you to instruct your own group with a Level 1 Award provided that you run a session with them so that you can be approved by their own staff. Proof of GUK Liability Insurance is not required.

Instruction is available - please phone for details and current prices. (at time of inspection this was £10 for 2 hours; there is a 20% discount for the Guide Association.)

Leeds Wall

100a Gelderd Road, Leeds, LS12 6BY. Tel: 0113 234 1554 or 244 2314 Website: www.theleedswall.co.uk

A scarily friendly climbing centre with a fantastic wall and plenty of space and facilities. The standard of the wall itself is superb.

Qualifications: SPA ratio is 1:6; you need to show a 1st Aid cert as well as your SPA. If you hold the GA Level 1 there is a conversion course for half a day whereby you can be taught the special requirements of this wall and they can ensure that they are happy with you; contact Ben Myers (Senior Instructor).

Requirements: no Italian hitches or body belays.

Instruction available: Call for instruction prices; these are cheaper for larger groups or for a series of sessions.

- There is a Lizards Club for 6 - 16s.

- 14-17 year olds can take a 'Junior Assessment' (this is a personal competency award for general safety with toproping and leading levels and is not an instructional award)

Overall: Excellent

Bramhope Scout Camp

Occupation Lane, Old Bramhope, Leeds, LS16 9HR.

Bookings: Mr. R.J.Hazle, Telephone 0113-265 6881

Website: www.bramhope.org.uk

This is a scaffold tower, triangular, about 40' high with scaffold belays at the top. There are 3 climbing sections and an abseil. Access is via ladders inside; some instructors belay up the ladders (recommended). All users must wear helmets.

There is no climbing equipment on site; you must bring your own.

Qualifications: SPA required. Please note that is you use site staff you must ask for SPA or above; Scout Form M is not acceptable to GUK.

Overall: A typical scaffold tower; fine if you can't get to the excellent local rocks.

Marrick Priory, Richmond, North Yorkshire

Tel: 01748 884434 Website: http://www.marrickpriory.co.uk/

This is a centre with a wide variety of activities including an indoor climbing wall and a nearby quarry for climbing outdoors. It is an AALA centre and presumably groups would use it for climbing as a part of a longer stay involving other activities.

Instruction: Awaiting final clarification, but the centre instructors for the climbing wall have an in-house qualification (as the centre is AALA certified this is fine); and for climbing at the quarry they state 'SPA trained and in-house qualification'. This is not acceptable; should you be running a course here please insist on SPA qualified staff for outdoor climbing sessions.

Scalby School, Scarborough

Fieldstead Crescent, Newby, Scarborough, YO12 6TJ Tel: 01732 367928

This is a brick wall with platforms in the corner of a gym. There is one rope left up for setting up; otherwise you need your own equipment.

Qualifications: SPA required.

Carlton Lodge, Thirsk

Carlton Lodge, Thirsk, N. Yorks., YO7 4NJ.

Tel: 01845 522145 Website: www.carltonlodge.org.uk

This is an old style wall with bolt on holds on a breeze block wall in a sports hall. Currently only centre staff (who are all SPA qualified) can use the wall; however the situation is under review so if you want to instruct there please call. The centre is an AALA licensed centre. They provide climbing instruction for £4.75 per person per hour.

East Barnby Outdoor Education Centre

nr. Whitby East Barnby, Whitby, N. York. YO21 3SA Tel: 01947 893333 Fax: 01947 893467

This is an AALA registered centre run by N Yorks CC. The wall is available for use with the centre's own staff only, who are SPA qualified. However, climbing sessions for Guides, church groups etc. are run as a favour in evenings etc. as the wall is only usually used as a part of residential courses.

For more information contact Mr. Les Brettle who is the Centre Manager as well as the Outdoor Education Advisor for North Yorkshire. He should be able to answer queries about anything in this area.

Raywell Park Scout Site, Humberside

Level 1

Riplingham Road, Raywell, Cottingham, HU16 5YL.

Tel: 01482 655732

This Scout site has a brick built tower and wall; there is an overhanging face and one wall with bolt-on holds as well as the abseil tower which is about 15 feet high. The structure is fine for its purpose.

More information regarding instruction to follow.

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Bradley Wood Scout Activity Centre

Bradley Wood, Shepherds Thorn Lane, Brighouse, West Yorkshire, HD6 3TU
Tel: 01484715858
Level 1

This Scout centre has an excellent new climbing wall. The wall is open to GGUK Level 1 leaders to use, and there will be appropriately qualified staff at the centre at some stage. Currently the centre do not have appropriately qualified staff and are using Scout qualified staff only (autumn 2006) - please ensure that you are not instructed by those holding Scout qualifications only.

Whiteley Wood Centre, Sheffield

Common Lane, Sheffield

Level 1

This Guide centre has a small wall inside, and is also close to the edge of the Peak District and Burbage/Stanage rocks.

The indoor wall may be used by GGUK Level 1 instructors. If you use the centre's equipment please check it before use to ensure that you use the correct rope allocated to the wall.

The centre offer activities locally including climbing and 'Weaseling' - a from of rock scrambling. If you take part in these activities you MUST ENSURE that: 1) Climbing is run by an SPA qualified instructor; b) Weaseling sessions are run USING HELMETS.

Hebden Hey Hostel, Hebden Bridge

SPA

This Scout centre has a short abseil hidden on the overgrown hillside above the hostel. However it is not the easiest area in which to operate, as the ground is slippery and steep so care must be taken with group management. The abseil is not long, just a few metres, but if staying at the hostel is perfectly good enough and a good diversion.

Hebden Abseil

Heptonstall Quarry

Widdop Reservoir rocks

Associated with the hostel, climbing and/or is offered at Heptonstall Quarry and High Widdopstones. SPA qualified staff are required for all of these locations.