COURSE INFORMATION
WHEN/WHERE
Meeting place is at Birchden Wood (Harrison’s Rocks) Car park promptly at your course start time. Your instructor will meet you at the toilet block in the middle of the car park. Click for map here
CLIMBING KIT
All necessary equipment for your course will be supplied but if you have your own kit that you would like to use please bring it along. You are welcome to use your own kit as long as it meets our safety standards.
WHAT TO WEAR
Please wear loose clothing which you don’t mind getting dirty or putting holes in. Rock climbing is adventurous and you might get muddy or covered in slime. You will be outside in the elements throughout the course so please be prepared for adverse weather conditions. Pop some waterproofs in your bag if it looks wet and don’t forget your sunscreen if it looks like it’s going to be hot.
FOR YOUR FEET
Please bring SOFT SOLED shoes for the climbing. You may prefer to wear more robust boots for the walk in (about 10 minutes, can be muddy) and bring soft soled shoes to change into when you get there. Hard walking boots or steel toe caps are not permitted at Harrison’s Rocks, due to the soft, fragile nature of the rock. Trainers are ideal. If you have your own climbing shoes already, please do bring them along. If you’d like to purchase climbing shoes for your course please let us know your size and we can bring a selection for you to try on. Or you can have a look at online shop here.
WHAT NOT TO WEAR
Jewellery, particularly rings, can cause considerable damage to a person if it gets caught on a rock or in a crack when taking part in rock climbing. If you normally wear jewellery, particularly rings, we advise you to leave it at home on your course day.
If it’s hot, you may want to avoid wearing shorts as you may lose skin from your knees!
FOOD
If your course is all day, please remember to bring a packed lunch. You might also like to bring a drink or flask.
WEATHER
If it is raining on the day of your course, it is more than likely that we will still go ahead although the format of the course may be varied. Please bring warm as well as waterproof outer clothing.
In exceptional circumstances it may be that the course will be postponed or cancelled as a result of very poor weather, in which case we will contact you at our earliest opportunity by email and you will be offered an alternative date or a full refund.
DIRECTIONS
• At the Junction Pub in Groombridge, go over the railway bridge towards Eridge.
• After a few hundred metres, take a right hand fork into Eridge Road.
• About two hundred metres along this road there is a gravel track on the right hand side that leads down into Harrison’s Rocks Car park
• Continue down into the car park, where we will be waiting for you under the toilet block which is the only building in the car park. If you are using a Sat. Nav., use the postcode, TN3 9NH. If you get lost on the day of your course, please call, 07595985247. Click for map here
PARKING
Please note that ANPR pay and display parking is in operation at the car park to cover the cost of the facilities. There is a 15 minute ‘grace’ period for dropping off / picking up. The machine takes only card payments. For more information on Birchden Wood and Forestry England parking charges please visit www.forestryengland.uk/birchden-wood
PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Take your memories home with you. If you’d like a set of high quality professional photographs please let us know and we’ll check to see if our photographer is available for your session. It’s just £75 for Mike to attend your session which includes 50 high quality images. Click here to see Mike’s photography
ACCOMODATION
CAMPING
There is an official but basic campsite at the Car Park. Booking is not available and so camping is on a first come first served basis.
There are toilet facilities with hot water and sinks but no showers. There is also a communal in-situ BBQ that is free for anyone to use on a first come first served basis.
GLAMPING
If you like to camp but prefer to do it luxuriously in style, just a 5 minute drive up the road you can stay at Caracol Camping – have a look here.