An ultimate guide for visiting the stunning Rydal Cave
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Where is Rydal Cave?
Rydal Cave is located in the small village of Rydal in the south of the Lake District National Park. See the interactive map below for the exact location of Rydal Cave.
Rydal is a famous lakeland beauty spot with connections to the nature poet William Wordsworth. You will find Rydal village in-between the popular tourist town of Ambleside and the village of Grasmere.
What to Expect from Rydal Cave?
Rydal Cave is another hidden gem in the Lake District. The impressive cave is a man-made cavern left as a result of slate quarrying at Loughrigg Quarry.
The cave has one large cavern. The front of the cave is often flooded so stepping stones are strategically laid out so you can pass through the water to the back of the cave where there is drier floor space.
The quarry was abandoned in the 19th century and has now become one of the most photographed spots in the Lake District.
The cave has a dramatic, rugged opening in an eclipse shape which creates the unique outline of the cave on the north side of Loughrigg Fell.
Loughrigg Fell is a popular spot as you get great views from the summit of Loughrigg Fell over Windermere, Rydal and Grasmere. It is a beautiful place worth visiting.
As an added bonus when visiting Rydal Caves why not go on a longer walk and reach the top of Loughrigg Fell?
If you fancy a swim to cool off then a great place wild swimmers enjoy is Loughrigg Tarn. Loughrigg Tarn is on the opposite site of Loughrigg Fell to Rydal Caves. It takes around 35-40 minute to walk the 2.3kms from Rydal Caves to the tarn.
Rydal Cave's Netflix Link
You will find Rydal Cave in Netflix's fantasy 'The Witcher'. Netflix took advantage of the Lake Distrct's natural beauty for the backdrop of several scenes.
The series features Rydal Cave and other Lake District locations.
Best Time to Visit
There is no best time of year to visit the cave. It is open all year round and is free to enter and explore.
Even on a gloomy wintery day Rydal Cave is a dramatic landmark that you must visit.If there is or has been heavy rain the stepping stones still allow access into the cave just be cautious of the rocks being slippery.
However, when the sun is shining on the water at the bottom of the cave creates a perfect reflection of the caves outline.
Parking Options - Postcodes and Routes
1) Pelter Bridge Car Park
Car Park Postcode: LA22 9LW
Distance to Rydal Cave: 1.1km
Route Guidance:
After parking up at Pelter Bridge car park it is short walk of 1.1km (around a 15-20 minute walk) to Rydal Cave.
Walk towards Rydal Water from the car park and follow the path through the shrubs.
The path does split and there is a path that leads down to Rydal Water but for visiting the cave you need to take the left fork to stay about halfway up the height of Loughrigg Terrace.
Follow the path round the fell and you will get wonderful views over Rydal Water before arriving at Rydal Cave on your left.
2) White Moss Car Park
Car Park Postcode: LA22 9SE
Bus stop: located on the A591 outside of White Moss Car Park entrance
Distance to Rydal Cave: 1.6km
Route Guidance:
When you are on the main road bordering Rydal Water, White Moss car park is the main Rydal Water car park and it is sign posted from the road. It is a large pay and display car park with 140 spaces plus a public toilet block.
Follow the footpath from the car park through White Moss woods towards Rydal Water. You will cross a bridge over River Rothay and go up continuing through the White Moss woods. When you come to a choice of paths take the one that continues straight.
The path heading down will take you to Rydal Water and the stepped path upwards will take you to the Loughrigg Fell summit.
Continue straight until you come to a loose scree path of slate where you will find the quarry on the right hand side.
Longer walks - Times and Distance
There are so many alternative routes to take to Rydal Cave.
You could walk along side Rydal Water along to Grasmere Lake to then do a circular route up the slopes of Loughrigg feel to Rydal Cave and back down to Rydal Water to White Moss Car Park.
A longer route would be to walk from Elterwater through to Loughrigg Fell climbing up past the YHA Hostel to then continue through the woods following the path to Rydal Cave and go back on yourself to get back to where you started.
Use the interactive maps below to determine a route for you if you fancy a longer walk to see other spectacular views along the way.
Grasmere - 3.4km/48 minutes
Ambleside - 3.7km/52 minutes
Elterwater - 3.5km/53 minutes
Check out All Trails for maps and review of different walks you could do!
Backpack List
Layers - England can experience all 4 seasons in the same day. The best way to prepare for all forms of weather is layers. Staples include a good waterproof, hat, mid layer, and its always good to keep a spare pair of socks to change into after your walk incase your feet get wet.
Water - It is important to carry a bottle of water with you when you are going for a walk. Even when the weather ins't warm it is important to avoid dehydration.
Navigation - Whether it be your phone or a paper map, having a form of navigation is keep to have with you especially if you are not familiar with the area. Sometimes you can get disorientated when visiting a new place so having a form of navigation avoids the need of calling for help from other.
Top tip - Load google maps before hand of your chosen route to have as a helpline incase you get disorientated. Also, make sure you phone is charged!
Want to explore another cave?
Cathedral quarry is another spectacular cave in the Lake District in the neighboughring town of Coniston. It was again an abandoned slate quarry but is now preserved by the National Trust due to its historical interest. Check out my ultimate guide on Cathedral Cave!
I hope you found this guide useful, keep Creating Resfeber!
Why not check out my other Lake District blogs?
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