Wilton Fest is a free, un-ticketed climbing festival for everyone from chiseled veterans to fresh faced newcomers.
Held in Lancashire’s Wilton Quarries, Wilton Fest was founded in 2013 by BMC volunteers, and has run uninterrupted (pandemic excepted!) since then.
Wilton Fest is a free climbing festival held annually in the Wilton quarries.
Wilton quarries comprises four locations, numbered 1 through 4. Base camp for Wilton Fest is at Wilton 2.
If travelling by bus, take the 535 from Bolton town centre and alight at The Wilton Arms pub.
Parking is available in Wilton 2 and Wilton 4 (get there early!).
Overflow parking is available
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| All day | Stalls and Exhibits |
| All day | Top Ropes |
| 10:00 | Morning Masterclasses |
| 10:00 | Introduction to Outdoor Bouldering |
| 12:00 | Yoga |
| 12:00 | Accessible Climbing Demonstration; Hoists and Assists |
| 13:00 | Bouldering Tours |
| 14:00 | Afternoon Masterclasses |
| 14:00 | Introduction to Outdoor Bouldering |
| 14:30 | Guided Walk (longer) |
| 15:00 | The Thing demo |
| 16:00 | Barbecue |
| 17:15 | Lancashire Guidebook Update |
| 18:00 | Raffle and Beer |
| 19:15 | Talk |
| 20:00 | Music |
The BMC, Climbers Against Cancer (CAC), Crusher Holds, and Fat Lad Climbing will all be present.
Rock Over Climbing will be supervising some top ropes in Wilton 2, suitable for all abilities and ages to try climbing.
No advance booking is required.
Masterclasses will be delivered across a range of skills, knowledge and ability. This year, masterclasses will be delivered by Steve McClure and Jim Pope. Each instructor will run separate classes for those who climb up to HVS, and for HVS and above.
In the morning, Steve will run a class for those up to HVS, and Jim will run a class at HVS and above.
In the afternoon, Jim will run a class for those up to HVS, and Steve will run a class at HVS and above.
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 masterclasses
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 guide book 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.
Colin Liptrot of Moors to Mountains gives the first of two guided walks of the area.
Guided walks are free but must be booked in advance and places are limited.
Click here to book for the morning walk
Becky McGovern 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.
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 for the beginners bouldering tour
Click here to book for the advanced bouldering tour
Food will be available to refuel before getting back on the rock.
Colin Liptrot of Moors to Mountains gives the second and longer of two guided walks of the area.
Guided walks are free but must be booked in advance.
Click here to book for the afternoon walk
Steve Chadwick demonstrates his sloper training device. Following a stroke, he used this to go from being paralysed to climbing 8b.
Matthew Thompson will give an update on the new up and coming guidebook covering trad climbing across the county.
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 six.
Jim Pope will give a talk followed by Q&A.
Jim’s talk is called ‘For The Love Of It’ covering his life and love for climbing and adventure from a young lad in London. From seasoned comp climber, to master of hard grit repeats and new routes, hard bouldering and sport climbing around the UK. Adventures in the Alps and his own expedition new routing in Kyrgyzstan and finally back to Wilton and local crags for local adventures.
Climber and musician Brandon Ridley will end the day by serenading us into the night.
Wilton Fest is free; however the masterclasses have an additional charge and must be booked in advance. Please book here for all masterclasses. You may also want to bring cash on the day for raffle tickets, barbecue, charity donations, or to spend at the stalls. Some stalls will also accept cards. All the parking locations listed on this website are free of charge.
None at all! Wilton Fest is a great event for absolute beginners and masters of the sport alike.
Yes! There will be plenty of time and opportunities to get on the rock, and plenty of folk with local knowledge to give you pointers.
Tea and coffee will be available, but it is recommended you bring water. Similarly the barbecue will be available from 14:30 but you may want to bring your own food, or pop down to the Wilton Arms where they have a great selection of food on the menu.
When Tim invited me to the Wilton Festival in 2017 I was highly uncertain if I should go, after all, Lancashire is right next to Yorkshire and everyone knows how tight and uncouth they are. But, thankfully the people I met there weren’t as bad as I expected, no scrooges, knife fights or riot police as you find at Appleby horse fair. My main memory of it was that there were lots of sound people having a good time, plenty of good climbs for experienced climbers and novices, BBQ, midges and good crack. I enjoyed climbing Adrenaline with Hank Pasquil and then being embarrassed and pissed off about falling off that E5 crack in the other quarry, Constables? Bastard. Anyway, if you’ve not been its definitely worth a visit, it’s like being in Yosemite valley, watching the climbers on the big walls, the waterfalls, it really is beautiful…
– James Mchaffie
The Wilton fest is a grand way of bringing together an age of climbers from old stalwarts to young potential superstars. It’s good to see all the quality and challenging climbs being ascended in our outstanding quarry on our doorstep. Come cut the mustard if you can.
– Hank Pasquill
The Wilton Fest is back for the 10th anniversary! Some of the best climbing in the country. If you’ve not been you are in for a treat, with awesome lines on lovely sandstone. If you have been, you’ll know what treats await! The festival has been a success year on year; coaching, talks, stalls, a great crowd and super atmosphere. One of the best and not to be missed!
– Steve McClure
A day out for the famous and not so famous. Quite possibly one of the greatest events to come out of Lancashire, if not the country.
– Kurt Davies
The Wilton Fest is always a great event. Whether it rains or shines, it brings together both local climbers and those from further afield to enjoy some of the best trad routes around with a happy atmosphere and loads of activities to get involved with. The psyche is high along the spectrum from first timers learning the ropes through to experienced teams pushing themselves on harder routes. Then everyone can relax with a decent beer and BBQ, maybe win some kit, and be entertained in the evening. Don’t miss it!
– Naomi Buys
The Wilton Quarries are very much a home away from home for me. I initially visited during my early foray into outdoor bouldering; prompted by the accessibility of the crag by public transport, and inspired by several videos from Robin Mueller and Joe Richards showcasing what the quarries had to offer. What I found was not only an excellent venue for trad and bouldering but also a community of likeminded climbers with a passion for these quarries. Wilton Fest is a celebration of one of Lancashire’s finest venues with something to offer for everyone. It’s an excellent day out whether you’re here for trad or bouldering with lots to go at for all levels of ability.
– Liam Donovan
Held at the end of summer, Wilton Fest is a brilliant event that brings together the Lancs climbing community. Young and old, experienced and newbie, many enjoy the stellar climbing lines of all four quarries whilst others boulder, partake in yoga and socialise. It’s a time to share, to heckle, to cheer on . . . . . and to remember.
– Kate Hawkins
I have many fond memories of climbing at Wilton over the years. Wilton Fest is fantastic for getting many people together to climb, boulder, train, socialise, watch lectures, eat and drink together. Overall a fantastic experience no matter what the weather and a weekend like no other event.
– Mark Leach
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