Thursday 26 June 2014

A very brief history - Bowles

During World War II pigs were kept at Bowles Rocks and there was a firing range on the site. Bullet holes and the beams from the pig sties are still visible in the rock today. History is recorded into the names of climbs such as Range Wall Area, Pig’s Ear (5c) and Pig’s Nose (5a).

Bowles Rocks was later cleared in the early 1960s by John Walters who was inspired to set up a 'rock climbing gymnasium'.

Bowles was established as a charity for young people in 1964.  Today it is open as an outdoor education centre and in 2014 they celebrated their 50th Anniversary.


The left black and white photo is from Bowles and their website can be accessed if you click here.

The right colour photo is from SouthernSandstoneClimbs.co.uk.