Of all the eastern magnesian limestone venues between Rotherham and Doncaster, Anston is the most extensive and popular, and rightly so. It was basically unknown as a climbing venue until development by Mike Adams and friends, and by the late 2000s was attracting keen limestone bouldering enthusiasts from Sheffield and beyond, and its popularity then spread like wildfire.

The rock quality is mainly good although it can vary and breakages do happen and some problems continue to evolve. Where the rock is good it\'s really excellent though. Host to steep fingery problems up there with some of the hardest in the UK Anston has plenty to keep grade 8 boulderers happy. But its greatest popular appeal lies in the sheer volume of good problems in the 7s across a range of styles, but all requiring strong fingers and a bit of power. The 6s are also notable and in general there is more on offer at this grade than many Peak limestone crags, often on more pleasant rock. With a few exceptions landings are generally excellent.

Tucked away next to the busy A57, the woods of Anston Stones runs parallel with the road, has a railway line carving right through the middle of it, and is easy to access via the network of good paths. The valley is used heavily by local walkers and families for recreation so it\'s a unique mix of the urban and the wild, the busy and the quiet. It\'s particularly beautiful in spring when the wild garlic is in flower.