Southern Sandstone facts for kids
Southern Sandstone is a special type of rock found in southeast England. It's also known as Ardingly Sandstone. This rock is soft and was formed a very long time ago. You can find it in places like the Weald of Kent. Many people love to climb on these rocks. They are the closest climbing spots to London. This makes them very popular in the UK.
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What is Southern Sandstone?
Southern Sandstone is a type of rock called sandstone. It's made of tiny grains of sand stuck together. This rock layer is found between two other rock layers. One is called the Tunbridge Wells Sands. The other is the Grinstead Clay. You can see this rock very clearly in the area. It stretches between East Grinstead, West Sussex, and Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
Climbing on Southern Sandstone
People enjoy rock climbing on Southern Sandstone. Places like Stone Farm and Harrisons Rocks are managed by the British Mountaineering Council (BMC). The rock is quite soft. Climbers need to be careful not to damage it.
You can climb these rocks in two main ways. One is called soloing. This means climbing without ropes. The other is top-roping. This uses a rope that goes from the top of the rock to the climber. Many strong anchors, called bolts, are placed at the top of the climbing areas. Soloing is similar to bouldering. It doesn't need much special gear.
Where to Find Southern Sandstone
Southern Sandstone rocks are found in the Weald of Kent. This area is on the border of Kent and East Sussex.
Main Climbing Spots
- Bowles Rocks
- Harrisons Rocks
- High Rocks
- High Rocks Continuation Wall
- High Rocks Annexe
These are all near Crowborough.
- Bull's Hollow Rocks is west of Tunbridge Wells.
- Chiddinglye Rocks is near West Hoathly.
- Eridge Green Rocks is in Eridge Green. It's about four miles south of Tunbridge Wells.
- Stone Farm Rocks is south of East Grinstead.
Other Rock Areas
- Basset's Farm Rocks, near Cowden
- Chiddinglye Wood Rocks near West Hoathly
- Happy Valley Rocks west of Tunbridge Wells
- Ramslye Farm Rocks, south of High Rocks
- Jockey's Wood Rocks, Penn's House Rocks, and Rocks Wood are in Penn's Rocks near Eridge. This area is a SSI. Climbing is not allowed here to protect nature.
- Under Rockes, south of Rotherfield
