Harrison's Rocks
Groombridge, Kent/Sussex border
Harrison's Rocks is one of the best known sandstone climbing crags in the South East, a long line of rock in woodland about a mile south of Groombridge. It is owned by the British Mountaineering Council and suits everyone from first-time climbers to experienced ones, and families often come to watch and picnic.
Highlights
- A long sandstone crag with routes for beginners and experienced climbers
- Bolts in place for setting up top ropes
- Woodland setting next to Birchden Wood
- Small seasonal campsite and toilets by the car park
Good to know
- The rock is fragile: only soloing and top-roping are allowed, lead climbing is not, and nobody should climb when the rock is wet
- Read the climbers' code of practice before setting up ropes
- Dogs are welcome but must be on a lead near the climbing areas
- The rocks are just over the border in East Sussex
Getting there
Harrison's Rocks, Birchden Wood car park, Eridge Road, near Groombridge, TN3 9NJParking: Shared Forestry England car park at Birchden Wood (sat nav TN3 9NJ), paid by machine or RingGo. Coordinates are for the car park; the rocks are a short walk away.
Get directionsChecked on 30 October 2026 against southernsandstoneclimbs.co.uk, forestryengland.uk. Details change, so please confirm with the venue before you travel. How we check
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More things to do in Tunbridge Wells
Nearby
Birchden Wood
Birchden Wood is a Forestry England woodland of mostly native broadleaf trees just south of Tunbridge Wells, right next to the climbing crag at Harrison's Rocks. It has an easy access trail with sculptures along the way, a picnic area and a coffee trailer, which makes it an easy family outing.
Birchden Vineyards
Birchden is a family-run vineyard in the countryside outside Groombridge, with 23 acres of vines set around lakes and a wildflower meadow. A guided walk through the vines ends with three of its wines, and the indoor café serves brunch and lunch all year, so it works for families as well as wine lovers.
Smiles Sensory and Family Farm
Smiles is a small, volunteer-run farm on nearly four acres outside Eridge, set up as a sensory farm for people with learning difficulties and mental health needs and now open to families too. Visits are private and paced to suit each guest, with goats to walk, rabbits and guinea pigs to cuddle and marshmallows over an open fire.