In the peaceful Langdale Valley you will find these dramatic caves that are a must visit if you are in the southern half of the Lake District National Park. What once was a working quarry, mining activity has left a historic shell in the green slate which is now know as Cathedral Caves.
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Where can I find Cathedral Caves?
What can I expect from Cathedral Caves?
History of Cathedral Caves
Is it safe?
Where to park and what is the route?
What do I need to bring when visiting Cathedral caves?
Where can I find Cathedral Caves?
Located in the Langdale Valley is this hidden gem of the Lake District National Park.
Address: Cathedral Cave, 3 Stang End, Little Langdale, Ambleside LA22 9NT
NOTE: you cannot drive up to Cathedral Caves due to access roads being privately owned, read about different parking locations here.
Driving distances from popular nearby Lake District locations:
Coniston - 5 miles
Ambleside - 5.4 miles
Windermere - 9.2 miles
What can I expect from Cathedral Caves?
Cathedral Caves are the remaining shell from what was once Cathedral Quarry. Quarrying activity in the past has now created a series of caves interlinked by tunnels. Old miner's tunnels connect the caves to each other and to the outside. The tunnels are very dark so make sure you have a charged touch with you!
The name ‘Cathedral Caves’ comes from the main chamber which stands 12 metres high held by only one rock pillar within the chamber.
The caves have gained interest among photographers due to the ‘windows’ in the main cathedral chamber providing natural beams of light onto the rugged green slate forming dramatic shadows and a magical atmosphere.
Cathedral Caves have also gained interest for it being a good abseiling spot. On multiple of my visits to cathedral caves I have stopped to watch the rock climbers. If you want to give abseiling a go at Cathedral Cavern then read more about this activity here.
The caves are free to visit all day every day!
History of Cathedral Caves
Natural beauty mixed with history has formed this popular tourist spot reminding people of Cumbria’s history.
Green slate removal at Cathedral Quarry dates back to the 16th century. Explosives were placed into strategically drilled holes in the slate rock face. Green slate was then extracted and used as one of the main building materials in the local area. Horse and cart would transport it from the quarry to the nearby villages and the railway would be used to transport it longer distances.
The quarry was bought by Beatrix Potter in 1929 who encouraged the continuance of slate quarrying at this site.
Eventually Beatrix Potter gifted the quarry to the National Trust who put a stop to any additional removal of slate in aim to preserve the site of historic interest.
Is It safe?
Like any disused quarry there is a risk of falling material. However, on any of my visits to Cathedral Caves I have never felt unsafe.
Signage clearly shows hazardous areas so along as you take appropriate care and use common sense you are very unlikely to have an unsafe trip to the caves.
I would recommend if you are going with children or dogs to keep an eye on them at all times due to the sudden openings and drops around the chambers.
Although the caves are open 24/7, I would only recommend going in daylight hours. The caves are not artificially lit and are in a rural location so if you did get lost or require emergency help the lack of light would make matters much worse.
Where to park and what is the route?
Roadside parking in Little Langdale (free)
Many visitors resort to roadside parking when they realise there is no official car park for Cathedral Caves.
Just make sure you are parked in a safe spot leaving enough space for other viechals to pass. If you are visiting during peak season I would recommend having a back up idea for where to park incase there is no roadside space left.
Route from Little Langdale
The walk is under a mile from Little Langdale and is likely to take around an hour.
Starting from Three Shires Inn which is located in the village of Little Langdale walk west on Side Gates.
Turn left onto Fitz Steps and continue down the road until you see a gate sign posted Slater’s Bridge or Cathedral Caves on the right hand side of the road.
Enter through the kissing gate and continue along the path through the fields until you come to crossing over the River Brathay using Slater Bridge.
When you pass over the bridge follow the footpath towards the road follow the signs to cathedral caves.
Hodge Close Quarry car park (free)
Address: Hodge Close, Hodge Close Cottage, Coniston LA21 8DJ
NOTE: The roads to the car park are narrow roads so may not be suitable for all vehicles. There are limited passing places so if you go during peak times the road can get blocked and require drivers to reverse.
Route from Hodge Close Quarry car park
When you reach the car park there are limited spaces so I recommend arriving early to increase your chances of finding a parking space.
From the car park it is a short distance of 1 mile to Cathedral Caves and is going to take you around 1-1.5 hours.
You can firstly see Hodge Close Quarry which is also known as ‘Britain’s scariest quarry’ due to its skull-shaped cavern.
From Hodge Close car park walk along the track until you head into Quarry Wood.
Turn left immediately and continue until you go through Sty Rigg Coppice.
You will come to a fork where you need to take the left path through woodland until you arrive at a road.
Turn left along the road and make sure to keep River Brathay next to you where you will find the path to cathedral caves on the left.
Blea Tarn (free for National Trust members, £5 for 2 hours, £6.50 for 4 hours, £7.50 for the day - CASH ONLY)
Address: Blea Tarn National Trust car park, LA22 9PG
NOTE: The small car park has around 20 spaces so it is recommended to get their early to increase your chances of getting a space.
Route from Blea Tarn
Although this is the longest route it is a relatively easy walk which will take you around 2-3.5 hours and you will get a great view of Little Langdale Valley along the way.
The gate from the other side of the road at the car park that leads you to the lake is your starting point.
When you enter through the gate continue along the footpath until you reach another gate before the woods.
Pass through the gate and walk into the woods until you find another gate on your left.
This gate leads you to a footpath alongside a river (river on your left).
Follow this footpath until you reach a road, then turn left and continue walking down the road.
When you find a public footpath along Tilberthwaite Road pass through the gates until you reach Cathedral Caves.
NOTE FOR ALL ROUTES: The entrance to Cathedral caves can be hard to spot sometimes. The site is accessed via a kissing gate and slate steps up to the main entrance via the old miners tunnel that leads you into the latest cavern of the caves.
When you are in the ‘Cathedral Cavern’ walk towards the ‘window’ and there is a short tunnel at the far end of the cave which leads to where you can watch people rock climbing (if there is anybody there!). Allow yourself enough time to visit the entirety small network of inter-linked quarries and to take lots of photos at this fascinating site.
What do I need to bring when visiting Cathedral Caves?
Head torch - the caves do have natural light entering the cavern but the tunnels can be pitch black even when it’s light outside.
Coat - Lake District can be sunny one minute and raining the next so it is always a smart move to be prepared for all seasons
Water - with any walk you should always take a drink to keep hydrated.
Maps - there is little to no signal around Cathedral Caves so it is a good idea to take a form of navigation where you do not need signal, weather it be your old school paper maps, a GPS, or a pre-downloaded map on your phone
Appropriate footwear - the water level within the caves will increase after rainfall forming puddles around the site so make sure you have footwear you don’t mind getting wet. As it is a slate quarry your underfoot can be slippy and unstable at times so it is recommended to have sturdy walking shoes on for your visit.
Thank you for reading, I hope you found this useful!
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