Proper British trad climbs with proper British pubs at the bottom of them. Five locals let you in on their favourite trad-pub combos: Andy Nelson covers Scotland, James McHaffie the Lakes, Calum Muskett Snowdonia, Niall Grimes the Peak District, and Mark Glaister the West Country.

The Clachaig and The Clearances

By Andy Nelson
Visit the pub: www.clachaig.com
Buy the guidebook: Scottish Rock - South

"Two icons: one a world-renowned pub, the haunt of the established and the aspiring; the other an old school Extreme Rock tick, and not for the faint-hearted. Either can precede the other. A night in the pub with a late start will be fine on a crag that receives sun only at the end of a summer's day. Conversely, having climbed high on the North Face of Aonach Dubh, a night sampling the many fine ales and single malts at the Clachaig is just reward for establishing oneself as a Glencoe climber."

The North Face of Aonach Dubh. Photo: Andy Nelson

Gimmer Crag and the Old Dungeon Ghyll

By James McHaffie
Visit the pub: www.odg.co.uk
Buy the guidebook: Langdale by Max Biden

"A classic Lakeland one is to go to Gimmer Crag or Raven then down to the Old Dungeon Ghyll in Langdale. It's a good old school pub where you might be lucky enough to see Dave Birkett drinking and playing his guitar. Some of the best climbs in the Lakes combined with a good pint in a great setting."

Gimmer Crag. Photo: Sean Kelly

Cloggy and Gallt-y-Glyn

By Calum Muskett
Visit the pub: gallt-y-glyn.co.uk
Buy the guidebook: North Wales Rock by Ground Up

"There are few better climbing-pub combinations than a day spent spent on Clogwyn du'r Arddu beneath the summit of Snowdon, followed by a pizza and a pint at the Gallt-y-Glyn on the outskirts of Llanberis. Cloggy is a crag for a hot day, being mostly north-facing and, after a day of walking to and from the cliff, as well as sampling the delightful climbing, there's nothing better than sitting down, cold beverage in hand and tucking into a pizza. You can even choose a seat that has views back onto the cliff."

Cloggy. Photo: Siobhan Miller

Stoney Middleton and the Moon

By Niall Grimes
Visit the pub: www.themooninn.com
Buy the guidebook: Peak Limestone North by Niall Grimes, Gary Gibson and Ian Carr (pub. 2015)

Stoney Middleton. Photo: nectarclimbing.com

Haytor and The Rugglestone

By Mark Glaister
Visit the pub: www.rugglestoneinn.co.uk
Buy the guidebooks: South West Climbs: Vol: 2 – CC, Pat Littlejohn
West Country Climbs, Mark Glaister

"High up on the western perimeter of Dartmoor, Haytor is one of the South West's great outcrops; its two granite summits have some brilliant single and multi-pitch routes from VDiffs to E grades, with usually reliable protection. Nearby is one of Dartmoor's finest pubs: The Rugglestone Inn at Widecombe in the Moor. Head for the church and locate the discrete sign that will point the way to the inn's many delights including cask ale, amazing food, a picture postcard location and gorgeous beer garden replete with brook and ducks."

Haytor. Photo: Sean Kelly

WATCH: BMC Travel Insurance built for the mountains

Rock Up Abroad with BMC Travel Insurance

Wherever the hot rock calls, make sure that you go prepared with our travel insurance before you head off.

You can get cover with a BMC Rock policy from just £56* for a week. 

BMC Travel Insurance comes in five policies: Travel, Trek, Rock, Alpine and Ski and High Altitude. 

*Policy details: £55.21 for 7 days European Rock policy, price for up to age 69.  

For full terms and conditions see our Evidence of Cover

Europe by Train

Seat61 has a plethora of information, ready-planned for you to make your train journeys to Europe plain sailing. We fully recommend checking out the routes available and booking in advance to get the best deals on cheaper tickets.

PLAN YOUR TRAVEL: Use public transport routes from Seat61 to help you plan your low-impact travels

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