A hidden and sheltered quarry (named after the moor behind the old workings and called Laurencefield on some maps) has been visited by climbers for over sixty years. By the early 1970s climbing standards and protection had improved to the point that many of the early aid routes became excellent free climbs in a new route gold-rush not seen before or since.Although playing second fiddle to nearby Millstone, Lawrencefield quarry remains very popular. With a good set of climbs, a selection of easier and immensely popular routes around Gingerbread Slab, and the hard classics on the steep smooth walls around the pool, there is something here for most tastes. The long right-hand side of the quarry used to be home to a reasonable selection of climbs but the vegetation continues to encroach and many are beyond recovery, apart from a small selection on the Red Wall.
Routes
67 trad routes (Diff...E6) Graded List of Routes List of First Ascents | |||
Buttress (click for routes) | No. of Routes | Route Type | Sunshine or shade |
Approach walk | Other |
Roadside Bay Under the surprising bend, that gives the Surprise View its name, is a small quarried bay with a... |
15 | Trad |
No sun |
Up and down 0 mins |
sheltered |
Great Harry The walls and grooves to the left of the Pool have a fine set of middle grade routes that follow... |
13 | Trad |
No sun |
Up and down 0 mins |
sheltered |
The Pool Wall The most imposing face in the quarry is the tall wall behind the pool. Once an aid practice ground,... |
11 | Trad |
No sun |
Up and down 0 mins |
sheltered |
Gingerbread Slab Beyond the pool is the attractive and popular sheet of rock of Gingerbread Slab. This is good spot... |
14 | Trad |
No sun |
Up and down 0 mins |
sheltered |
Stonemason's Buttress The quarry continues rightwards from Gingerbread Slab but the quality deteriorates; there have been... |
6 | Trad |
Early morning sun |
Downhill 8 mins |
sheltered |
Red Wall Continuing rightwards one section is well-worth a visit; a wall rising above a band of sandy red... |
8 | Trad |
Early morning sun |
Downhill 8 mins |
sheltered |
What do these symbols mean? |