Landmark Trust Warden Statement: "Lundy has long been celebrated for its breeding
seabirds and the success of the Seabird Recovery
Project cannot be overstated. Over 40,000 seabirds
now breed across the island, and the importance of
our thriving colonies are recognised at a national level.
Puffins have recovered from near-extinction; only five
birds were left in 2004, 20 years on and the population
now sits at over 1,800 birds! Moreover, 95% of
England’s breeding Manx Shearwater population call
this lump of granite home.
The Lundy climbing season is widely considered to
span from mid-August to October. Restrictions apply
during the seabird breeding season and are subject to
constant review. As such, all visiting climbers are
requested to contact the island warden on or before
arrival during the restricted season.
All wild birds, their nests and eggs are protected by law
(Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981). Please inform the
warden at the first instance if a climb or access route
encroaches within 100 metres of a nest.
Comprehensive information of all existing climbs are presented in Lundy – Second Edition (The
Climbers’ Club 2008) by Paul Harrison. Available for purchase at Lundy General Stores.
Thank you for your continued cooperation,
and good climbing!
Joe Parker
Island Warden
warden@lundyisland.co.uk
01237 431831"

Climbers are strongly encouraged to enquire more frequently with the warden, especially after the 14th August. Often there is scope for early lifting of restrictions where birds have moved on. If we don't ask we don't get.

Restrictions on Lundy fall into three categories:

- Unrestricted (year round access)

- Restricted from 31 March - 14 August

- Restricted from 31 March - 15 September

Page numbers refer to the first page of each crag from the CC Lundy (2008) guidebook.

Restrictions are continually monitored by the Lundy Warden and team, but if you see any nesting birds within unrestricted areas, please report to the Warden. If birds fledge early or sites fail, the affected restrictions will be lifted once the warden has confirmed that the site(s) are vacant. Likewise, occasionally nesting may start later in the season requiring extension to the restricted period - always check RAD and with the Warden on arrival for any updates to the restrictions. 

Unrestricted Routes (Year-round Access) 

The Devil’s Slide Area: The Devil’s Slide to The Back of the Slide (pp. 251-257) inclusive 

The East Coast: The Halfway Buttress to The Knight Templar Rocks (pp. 356-359) inclusive 

Restricted Routes (Closed 31 Mar - 14 Aug) 

The South Coast: Damocles Buttress to Kistvaen Buttress (pp. 29-31) inclusive 

The Devil’s Limekiln Area: Hidden Zawn to Leaning Buttress (pp. 33-48) inclusive 

Montagu Steps Area: Weird Wall to Celtic Buttress (pp. 49-60) inclusive 

Pilot’s Quay Area: Atlantic Buttress to Trawlerman’s Buttress (pp. 61-65) inclusive 

Old Light Area: The Old Light Cliff to Two Legged Buttress (pp. 66-88) inclusive 

Alpine Buttress Area: Wolfman Jack Wall to Sunset Promontory (pp. 91-99) inclusive 

Landing Craft Bay: First Buttress South to St Patrick’s Buttress (pp. 100-123) inclusive 

The Flying Buttress Area: Battery Cliff to Flying Buttress Main Cliff (pp. 124-138) inclusive 

Dead Cow Point Area: Beef Buttress to Dead Cow Point (pp. 142-145) inclusive 

Needle Rock Area: The Earthquake to Needle Rock (pp. 153-158) inclusive

Jenny’s Cove: The Pyramid Cliff (pp. 191-194) inclusive 

Beaufort Buttress Area: Picnic Bay Cliff to Beaufort Buttress (pp. 195-207) inclusive 

Grand Falls Zawn Area: Double Headed Zawn to St Mark’s Stone (pp. 208-227) inclusive 

Threequarter Wall Area: Black Bottom Buttress to Ten Foot Zawn (pp. 232-239) inclusive 

The Devil’s Slide Area: St James’s Stone to Starship Zawn (pp. 240-249) & Fluted Face (pp. 259-261) 

Squires View Zawn: Benson’s Buttress to The Fortress (pp. 262-281) inclusive 

Torrey Canyon Bay: St John’s Stone to Torrey Canyon Cliff (pp.282-290) inclusive 

Seal Slab Area: Marisco Walls to Short Story Zawn (pp. 292-308) inclusive 

Arch Zawn Area: Arch Zawn to Long Roost Ridge (pp. 309-323) inclusive 

North Light Area: North West Point to The Constable (pp. 345-353) inclusive 

The East Coast: The Quarries (p. 354) 

Extended Restrictions (Closed 31 Mar - 15 Sep) 

The Flying Buttress Area: Black Jack Zawn to Jemima Buttress (pp. 138-141) inclusive 

Dead Cow Point Area: Fighter Buttress to Banana Buttress (pp. 145-151) inclusive 

Needle Rock Area: The Punchbowl Cliffs (pp. 158-161) 

Jenny’s Cove: The Devil’s Tower to Pathfinder Slabs (pp. 162-191) inclusive 

Threequarter Wall Area: Big Zawn (p. 230) 

Heron Zawn Area: Heron Zawn to Cormorant Zawn (pp. 328-335) inclusive 

North Light Area: Storm Zawn to The North Light Cliffs (pp. 336-345) inclusive 

The East Coast: Gannet’s Buttress to Gannet’s Rock (pp. 360-362) inclusive

These restrictions are subject to constant review and it is important that climbers contact the Warden for updates before your visit or on arrival to the Island.

A copy of the 2025 restrictions PDF is available for download in the File tab near the bottom of this page.

Parking and Approach

By far the most popular way to reach Lundy is the ferry crossing on the MS Oldenburg run by the Landmark Trust. Other options include sea kayak at the more adventurous end of the spectrum, through to private boat charter or helicopter. Full details on travel options can be found on the Landmark Trust website. 

CRoW Information

Open access land, designated under the Countryside & Rights of Way Act (2000) give area access rather than linear access as provided by public rights of way. It also gives a legal right of access specifically for climbing, as well as walking and other quiet recreation on foot.

Please bear in mind however that the landowner still has the right to restrict access for up to 28 days per year (often used on public safety grounds for shooting in moorland areas), and can also apply for longer term restrictions with Natural England (such as bans on dogs, or regular restrictions during particular times of year). It is important to check for these restrictions regularly as they can be added at short notice – all details for open access land in England can be found on Natural England’s website.

Group Advice

Generally unsuitable.