Getting Outside Starts Here
If you’re new to outdoor bouldering — or visiting the Lakes and want to get on real rock — these are the places to start.
The Lake District makes things simple: short walk-ins, solid landings, and a mix of rock types that cover everything from gabbro crimps to sandstone slopers. You can park up, throw a pad down, and climb within minutes.
These venues are straightforward, friendly at lower grades, and worth knowing before you branch out.
Why the Lakes Works for Beginners
The Lake District has a handful of roadside venues, within 1–15 minutes of the car. You don’t need to hike for hours — many of these blocs are visible from the road.
The rock spans a wide spectrum, and whilst they’re not huge venues, it makes them ideal for learning: safe landings, simple logistics, good problem density, and plenty of variety.
Langdale Boulders (Great Langdale Valley)
(Pair with Chapel Stile Bouldering for a longer day out)
Nearest Town: Ambleside
Approach: 1 minute from the road
Langdale Boulders are the obvious first stop for anyone new to outdoor climbing in the Lakes. A flat base, short walk-in, and great views make it ideal for early sessions or evening laps.
Pros
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Roadside access, easy parking opposite the crag in a layby
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Flat grassy landing
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Great lower grade options
Tips
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Go early or late for quieter sessions.
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If it’s crowded, walk five minutes up the valley to Chapel Stile Boulders — same style, fewer people.
Important
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Do not climb when wet.
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Avoid the prehistoric rock art.
The Cup & Ring markings are a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Any damage could result in permanent closure.
Best Base: Ambleside, Elterwater, Chapel Stile.
Carrock Fell (Near Mosedale)
Nearest Town: Keswick or Caldbeck
Approach: 5–15 minutes uphill
Rough, grippy, and reliable — Carrock’s gabbro is perfect for learning confident movement. Hundreds of problems spread across the hillside, most with clean landings and great friction.
Pros
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Excellent friction
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Wide range of lower grade problems
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Dries quickly (still avoid climbing wet!!!)
Cons
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Sharp rock — hard on skin
Tips
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Two pads help with stepped landings.
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Best in cool, dry conditions.
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Purchase "The Lake District Bouldering Guide". The boulders are spread out.
Best Base: Keswick, Caldbeck, Penrith.
Badger Rock & Kentmere Boulders
(Pair with Little Font for a longer day out)
Nearest Town: Staveley
Approach: 10 minutes from the road
A compact freestanding bloc in open fields. Short, solid problems with reliable landings — great for a first outdoor session or relaxed afternoon.
Pros
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Easily accessible from Kendal
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Quiet valley setting
Cons
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Many of the boulders are highballs
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Narrow road up valley; limited parking
Access & Parking
Only drive up-valley if you’re confident reversing. Use the pay box by the church or the summer field car park (£5).
Tips
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Clean shoes before every attempt — rhyolite polishes easily.
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Stay on paths and keep noise low.
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Combine with nearby Kentmere (little font) blocs for a longer day out.
Best Base: Staveley, Kentmere, Kendal.
Brant Fell
Nearest Town: Bowness-on-Windermere
Approach: 15 minutes uphill
Small, quiet, and worth the effort. A small main buttress, with views over Lake Windermere.
Pros
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Quiet and scenic
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Low boulders
Best Base: Windermere, Bowness, Ambleside.
Beginner Tips for the Lakes
Pad Setup Matters
Overlap seams, fill gaps, and check for hidden rocks.
-> Pad Placement 101
Learn to Spot Properly
Spotting is about direction, not strength. Guide the fall — don’t catch it.
-> Spot Smarter
Check Conditions
Even gabbro and rhyolite weaken when wet. Wait until fully dry before climbing.
Travel Light
One large pad, one brush, one plan. Most of these venues are minutes from the road.
Leave It Clean
Brush chalk, keep noise low near farmland, and pack out everything. Check parking and restrictions on UKC.
Bottom Line
The Lakes is a great first outdoor bouldering location — short approaches, flat landings, and enough variety to keep you entertained for years.
If you're in need of a pad, search for rentals near you, or get one yourself.
Shop Slaphappy Bouldering Pads
Whilst risk management, experience, and good practice can improve safety, bouldering pads and the information above do not guarantee safety.
Read our Safety and Liability Disclaimer for more information.
