Forest Rock

Bouldering in Forest Rock

Forest Rock sits in the middle of the quiet village of Woodhouse Eaves in Leicestershire, tucked inside what was once Great Hill Quarry — a disused slate pit reclaimed by climbers as one of the most concentrated steep bouldering spots in the English Midlands. The rock is dark, compact slate, and the main feature is a cave-like recess where the angle tilts from friendly slab at the mouth to seriously overhanging deep inside. The climbing gets properly interesting from 7A upwards, with powerful lines on crimps, slopers and pinches demanding good body tension and commitment. It's small, intense and focused — you don't come here for volume but for a handful of testpieces that have built a reputation well beyond the county.

Because so much of the crag overhangs, Forest Rock stays dry in poor weather and works well year-round, especially as a bad-weather option when the Peak District is soaking. It sits right against a residential area, so access is sensitive — small groups, no shouting, no music, and leaving the place tidy are essential to keep the crag open. Getting there is easy by car from Loughborough or Leicester, with parking on the nearby village road. Expect a quiet, almost stealth-mode session rather than a social crag day, but for steep slate bouldering in the UK, Forest Rock offers a character you won't find elsewhere.