Boulder Ruckle

Swanage

User attention

A dead peregrine recently found by a climber and reported to the ranger has been confirmed as having died from Avian Flu. Climbers are advised to report dead birds to the ranger, in line with the following guidance https://www.gov.uk/guidance/report-dead-wild-birds , which includes to avoid touching.

 

from 11/03/2025

The Premier Swanage adventure crag. A continuous 50m high wall of vertical and overhanging Purbeck bed limestone dissected by towering corners. A place for the confident and competent. The routes range from VS to E6 and there are few easy ways out. The only way in is by abseil. Having a grade or two in hand for your first few visits is helpful to mitigate a prusik retreat up your abseil rope.  

Crag information
Climbing Area: South West & Southern Rock Type: Limestone
Importance: National CRoW Land: Yes
Ownership: Local Authority No. of Routes: 123
Within National Park: No Year Developed: 1963
Grid Reference: SZ023769

The top of the routes can be challenging with a dirty loose blocky bank to get to the belay stakes. If climbing one of the less well travelled routes, leaving a rope to help your exit is a wise approach. The base is a ruckle of mostly non tidal boulders, but it is hard to safely traverse the whole length and requires a low tide and calm sea. In a moderate sea there are areas that provide some shelter.

Most of the stake belays have been replaced in the last 10 years, however the top is getting very overgrown with Hawthorn scrub and you may need to burrow into the thicket to find your stake. A pair of secateurs can be handy.

The cliff top is very close to the busy public coast path and your gear and ropes can be visible to the passers-by. Leave your belonging with an awareness of this, to prevent investigation or concern by the public.

Restrictions apply from 1 March - 31 July.

Reason: Nesting Birds

Do not climb or abseil in areas within the nesting bird restriction, these apply between routes:

 Andycap – Snowdrop inclusive,

Sardine Special - Hard Days Night Inclusive

Quasimodo – Galileo Inclusive

Additional restriction may get put in place during the seasons as nesting habits vary from year to year, and if there are birds nesting on your chosen route, make best effort not to disturb them or better still find a different route. 

CRoW Information

Open access land, designated under the Countryside & Rights of Way Act (2000) give area access rather than linear access as provided by public rights of way. It also gives a legal right of access specifically for climbing, as well as walking and other quiet recreation on foot.

Please bear in mind however that the landowner still has the right to restrict access for up to 28 days per year (often used on public safety grounds for shooting in moorland areas), and can also apply for longer term restrictions with Natural England (such as bans on dogs, or regular restrictions during particular times of year). It is important to check for these restrictions regularly as they can be added at short notice – all details for open access land in England can be found on Natural England’s website.  

Group Advice

Unsuitable.

Area information

Weather Information

Guidebook info currently being updated

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Anonymous User
14/05/2017
Seagull nest at the belay block on the ledge of B Line / Sweet SA