If you crave adventure and breathtaking views, cliff camping offers a unique and exhilarating way to connect with nature. We spoke to one of Britain’s three providers of the cliff camping experience to find out more.
Cliff camping involves setting up a tent on a sheer cliff face, often hundreds of feet above the ground. In the case of the UK, instead of your typical rock face, you are suspended above the ocean.
Kevin Roet has been climbing since the age of 18, with years of experience under his belt, he always likes to ‘think outside the box’. He chose to utilise his climbing gear and begin providing Cliff Camping services for the ‘public’.
The owner of Rise & summit offers the opportunity to immerse yourself in ‘nature’s grandeur’, suspended above ‘breathtaking vistas’ during an overnight cliff camp.
“I thought we’ve got all this kit that we use to go climbing big walls. Instead of having portaledges hanging around in the shed, we thought we’d put them to good use and give the public the experience of what it’s like to sleep in one of them,” he said.
Nine years on, he has never looked back, providing equipment and ensuring safety for those seeking a sea view from their tent gaining some fame and notoriety along the way.
Kevin added: “We have done some advert work with Jeep and Papa John’s. For the Papa Johns advert, there was two people on a portaledge yeah, and the delivery man was TV daredevil Matt Pritchard. He delivered this new product to them whilst they were cliff camping.”
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The Thrill of Cliff Camping
Cliff camping is not for the faint of heart. It combines the thrill of heights with the serenity of nature, offering a unique blend of adrenaline and tranquillity.
The experience of sleeping suspended in mid-air, with nothing but a tent between you and the open sky, is both awe-inspiring and humbling.
The Setup: Portaledges and Gear
The key to cliff camping is the portaledge, a portable, flat platform designed for climbers to rest on during multi-day ascents. Portaledges are anchored securely into the rock face, providing a stable surface to pitch a tent. Essential gear can cost up to ‘£2,000’ and includes:
Portaledge – A sturdy, foldable platform that serves as the campsite.
Climbing Harness and Ropes – For safety and secure anchoring.
Helmet – To protect against falling debris from the cliff face.
Sleeping Bag and Mat – For warmth and comfort.
Food and Water Supplies – Lightweight and easy-to-carry provisions.
Weather-Appropriate Clothing – Layers to accommodate temperature changes.
The Safety Measures
Setting up a portaledge requires technical climbing skills and knowledge of proper anchoring techniques. Safety is paramount, and climbers must ensure their gear is in excellent condition and correctly installed. ”
People from all ages have paid to use Kevin’s services.
“There’s no one too young or too old. I’ve had kids 12 years old do it, and I had someone a few years back and she was in her mid-70s doing it,” Kevin added.
The Experience: Immersed in Nature
One of the most rewarding aspects of cliff camping is the deep immersion in nature. The isolation and elevation provide a unique perspective, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Popular Cliff Camping Destinations
Rise and Summit offer four locations across Britain’s coastline including:
Swanage – The day long cliff camp allow you to see some rare and threatened species. If you are lucky, you may get the appearance of some of the local seals.
Pembrokeshire – For £600 for two people, the world-renowned coastline provides isolation, wonderment, freedom, and space – evoking a feeling of being poised on the very edge of nowhere
Dorset – An ‘unforgettable night’ on the Jurassic Coast overlooks the British channel. You are also in touching distance with France.
North Devon – You are suspended for an experience attached to the sandstone cliffs that rise out of the Atlantic ocean.
Jeremy described how the location is always dependent on the customer and the conditions.
“I go to either Dorset or North Wales, a lot depends on the weather on the day and also what the person or the couple want,” he told Nine To Alive.
“Cliff camping can be pretty uncomfortable. So you have to look at the prevailing wind direction or what the wind is on the day. Other things like whether we can see the sunrise, sunset, what time of year, it is all kind of bearing on where we choose.”
Is Cliff Camping on the rise?
Since beginning his Sea Cliff Camping service, Kevin felt as though he had reaped the rewards due to the increased demand.
“It has risen in popularity. At the moment there’s a steady flow of people and there was an immediate rush after COVID when everybody wanted staycations,” Kevin said.
“Every year it’s quite popular. People come and take up on it. I’ve even had people get married on a ledge.”
Sea Cliff Camping is the epitome of adventure, blending the thrill of heights with the beauty of natural landscapes. While it requires technical skill and meticulous preparation from operators like Kevin, for those seeking a heart-pounding way to experience the great outdoors, it offers an unparalleled ocean view.
If you would like to indulge in this adrenaline-fuelled activity you can find more information here:
Rise & Summit – https://riseandsummit.co.uk/about/
