Wilton Climbing Festival is a free climbing festival held annually in the Wilton quarries taking place on Saturday 5th September 2026.

Free activities

Top Rope Climbing | All day

Rock Over Climbing will be supervising some top ropes in Wilton 2, suitable for all abilities and ages to try climbing. DMM will be providing demo shoes and harnesses for those who are new to climbing.

No advance booking is required.

Free Guided Walks

Colin Liptrot of Moors to Mountains gives guided walks of the area. .One short walk at 10.30 and one long walk at 14.30. Guided walks are free but must be booked in advance.

Click here to book.

Yoga | 11:30am and 4:30pm

Helen Oughton will be leading an hour long class. She’s been practicing yoga for over 20 years and loves to help people embody their own way of moving so that they can bring a little ease into their everyday. We hope this hour gives you time and space to reconnect with your body.

Please bring a yoga mat with you if possible.

Click here to book.

Free bouldering tours | 1pm

Tours of the local bouldering opportunities offered by the Wilton Quarries. This is a hands-on (and feet-on) exercise so bring your climbing shoes and pads. Robin Mueller and Liam Donovan will lead tours for beginners and advanced boulderers (Font 6B and up).

Bouldering tours are free but must be booked in advance and places are limited.

Click here to book.

Talk by James McHaffie | 19.15

British climbing legend James McHaffie will give a talk on the climbing scene in North Wales and the UK. This will be followed by Q&A. He will also be selling copies of his newest novel: The Climate Change Diary.

AMI: Equalising Belays - Ropes vs Slings and All Things In-between | 10am-1pm

A ground based workshop looking at slick and efficient ways to build an anchor for single or multi-pitch rock climbing. Hosted by Nick Cannon Jones WMCI.

Accessible Climbing Demonstration | 11am & 2pm

Delivered by Graeme Hill Climbing for All provider, Mountaineering Instructor and AMI member. Join our 'come and try' session demonstrating systems designed to assist people with rock climbing or enjoying the experience of being up high. We will showcase hoisting techniques, safety mechanisms, and the harnesses commonly used in this setting. This setup is ideal for, but not limited to, individuals with physical disabilities.

Ask a Mountaineering Instructor with the Association of Mountaineering Instructors (AMI) | 2pm - 5pm

An open workshop where attendees can ask anything climbing and mountaineering related. Kit, rope work, problem solving. "Bring your fiendish questions and I'll do my best to answer!" Hosted by Nick Cannon Jones WMCI.

Evening Raffle, Beer Bar, Stalls and Music

Raffle tickets are on sale all day from the tea urn at basecamp. The raffle will be drawn at six, and beer will also be available at 6pm. Music will begin at 8pm. We'll have stalls from the BMC, Ray's Climbing (Upcycled Ropes) and FatLad and more.

Masterclasses and Workshops

Trad masterclass with Steve McClure (up to HVS grade) | 10am

Masterclasses will be delivered across a range of skills, knowledge and ability.

Click here to book.

Trad masterclass with Steve McClure (HVS and above) | 2pm

Masterclasses will be delivered across a range of skills, knowledge and ability.

Click here to book.

Introduction to Outdoor Bouldering | 10am & 2pm

This is aimed at those who have bouldered indoors before and would like an introduction to outdoor bouldering and will be provided by Rock Over coaches and Boreal athletes. Covering guidebook use, route selection, crag etiquette, safety, bouldering, and some coaching.

Note that the introduction to bouldering is a paid extra and must be booked in advance.

Click here to book.

Self-rescue workshop with James Mchaffie

James Mchaffie will lead two self-rescue workshops for trad climbers. One in the morning and one in the afternoon. Each workshop will last around three hours and is ideal for climbers planning sea-cliff adventures or long multi-pitch routes.

Skills covered may include:

  • Escaping the system
  • Ascending and descending ropes using prusiks
  • Hoists
  • Tandem abseils

This will allow you to book on up to two masterclasses at your preferred level should you wish.

Note that masterclasses are a paid extra and must be booked in advance.

Click here to book.

BMC Wilton Climbing Festival 2016

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Wilton 1 is part of the BMC's Land and Property Trust

The BMC's Land and Property Trust charity owns and manages Wilton 1 for the benefit of all climbers. Please consider supporting the charity's work by donating.

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