When the weather plays ball, the United Kingdom’s varied landscapes are home to a veritable rock climbing playground. From the wild buttresses and corries of the Scottish Highlands and the rhyolite of North Wales, to the gritstone grandeur of the Peak District and the limestone gorges of the south west, there’s more to get psyched about on Britain’s shores than you could climb in a lifetime. Meanwhile, the UK’s 12,500 kilometers of coast provide some of the world’s most iconic sea cliff climbs.
It should come as no surprise that, across the disciplines of trad, sport and bouldering, Britain has produced its fair share of elite climbers, including legendary characters like Jerry Moffat and Don Whillans, bouldering greats like Will Bosi, and current men’s combined Olympic sport climbing champion Toby Roberts. Perhaps it’s the mix of unpredictable weather, long walk ins and the grit needed to climb on British shores that has forged such a rich climbing heritage.
