Bulls Hollow.
Bulls Hollow lies to the north of Rusthall common, just off Rusthall road at NGR: TQ569392 (1:25000 sheet 135 or 1:50000sheet 188). Follow Harmony Street and then Rusthall Park. The outcrop is behind the first house on the right (called 'Bulls Hollow') to the south.
| NGR |
TQ569392 Sheet135 (1:25000), Sheet 188 (1:50000) |
| Number of climbs | 50+ |
| Grade range | 1a to 6b Face and crack climbs. |
| Aspect | North West. The outcrop is a disused quarry and is overhung by trees. |
| Equipment | Some bolts - mainly above the popular climbs Extend with a long sling or tat over the edge. |
| Condition | Was damp for many years but crag management carried out in Nov/Dec 2003 has improved things considerably and the crag is drying out. |
| Bouldering | Not really suitable |
| Ownership | Tunbridge Wells Commons Conservarors - common land - no access problems. |
| Other Facilities | |
| Pubs | The Toad Rock Retreat, Denny Bottom - 5 minutes walk and a good pint of Harveys. |
I got into climbing when, as a member of the Scouts in Rusthall, we were taken to Bulls Hollow. My Brother Philip and I had already explored Bulls Hollow as it is next to Toad Rocks, a favourite childhood haunt. I guess I was about 11 when we were coerced up Cellar Wall, a short 2b problem. The outcrop has some fine routes but unfortunately its popularity declined, partly due to the increased popularity of other crags and the reduction of traffic plus the shaded quarry location left Bulls Hollow in a poor state. However, a big effort over recent months by local climbers backed by the BMC, English Nature and the Tunbridge Wells Commons Conservators and some generous sponsorship by The Climbers' Club, The Access and Conservation Trust and the Arborists - "Down to Earth" have currently transformed the Hollow, opening it up to light and air. The crag is drying out and once again becoming climbable. The crag is, in any case, probably at its best in late summer. See the Bulls Hollow Restoration Project pages Here.
Be warned - there are rumoured to be
crocodiles in the bog below Centurion's Groove (although they weren't evident
during the recent work!).
More photos of Bulls Hollow Here
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| Photo: Chris Arnold on Centurion's Groove 4b - taken in 1980. The crag had deteriorated over recent years but recent work by climbers will hopefully restore it to it's former glory - see above..... |
Sponsors
of the Bulls Hollow Restoration Project
Recommended Climbs: The Knott (5c), Broken nose (5c), Centurion's Groove (4c), Bramble Corner (4c), Conway's Cracks (4a), The Wall (5c), Possibility Wall (4b), and Gangway Wall (3c). The Shield (6a), Slab Variant (4c), Crossply (5b) Apis (5a).
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