Explore with Amie

Cathedral Cave is one of the most popular sites in the Lake District in the Langdales area. The grand central chamber and many other interlinking quarries in the area are a must-see for their grandeur and historical significance.

Cathedral Quarries, or Cave as it is more commonly known these days, is a landmark to the mining history of Cumbria. The quarries were used to mine green slate which is still used to build houses in the region today yet its use dates all the way back to the sixteenth century. There was a boom in quarrying in the nineteenth century and the Cathedral Cave proved an important site for housing materials. Interestingly, famous children’s author, Beatrix Potter purchased the site in 1929 before gifting it to the National Trust who continued to mine the quarries until the 1950s. Now, it is a very popular tourist attraction and, after two visits, I very much understand why.

Perhaps the most iconic feature of the Cathedral Cave is the main chamber which reaches a staggering forty feet tall. There is a rock outcrop in the very centre of the cave that just emphasises the magnificence of the rock faces within it. Because of two open areas, the main cave is very well lit and therefore, it suitable for access with children but do be aware of the safety signs in the area. As well as the main chamber, there are other caves for you to explore, albeit with a torch to hand.

Disused quarries can be dangerous places and you should be aware that there are some unfenced drops in the cave and the surrounding area. Although the site is regularly inspected, care should be taken whilst exploring. Don’t be put off though, it is well worth a look.

Cathedral Cave cannot be directly access by car so requires a short walk. There are a couple of options of routes you can take and where to park your car for this one. I’m going to share with you the two that I have done before which range from 3-6km so are perfectly manageable for all abilities.

Route 1: Little Langdale to Cathedral Cave

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 3.3km
Elevation: 161m
OS Map: OL6 & OL7

The first route begins at a small village called Little Langdale. You have the option of parking at the Three Shires Inn however spaces are limited. If my memory serves, we parked a short walk away at Dale End Farm. Because of the popularity of the Cave, it is probably best to arrive early in the day, rather than later. We have a habit of arriving too late and struggling to park – it’s about time we learnt from our mistakes with that one.

Unlike option two, this is a there and back route rather than circular so you’re repeating your steps to get back to the car. However, the route is short and a very accessible one. The only issue you may have is a stile on the route which is unavoidable as the gate remains locked. Despite that, this is a good option for those who want to just see the Cave rather than incorporating it into another walk.

1. From the Three Shires Inn pub, head up the hill to the right as you leave the car park. Then take the first road on your left, Fitz Steps.
2. Follow the road and cross the footbridge.
3. After you have crossed the river, turn right and follow this path until a gate appears on the left.
4. Climb over the stile.
5. Head up the path. When the path curves to the right, continue straight instead for a few steps and the entrance to the main cavern will be on your right.
6. Retrace your steps back to the car.

Route 2: Tilberthwaite Road Car Park

Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 5.8km
Elevation: 210m
OS Map: OL6 & OL7

A quick tip for you here: the first car park you come to down this road is actually a paid RingGo car park but the second is free. It is only a small one though so again, you’ll have to arrive in good time during the summer months.

This route option is a circular one so you don’t have to retrace your steps at all which I generally prefer. Once again, it isn’t long though so is perfectly manageable for those who are beginners to walking. You also can incorpate some of the nearby waterfalls as well as the other quarries in the area into this walk too which is an added bonus. Of the two, this would be my personal preference as you get more into the hills (only slightly, admittedly) and, as I said, I like a circular route.

1. From the car park, head down the road and past the houses.
2. When you pass through the farm, head through the gate and follow the path to the right. This is signposted Little Langdale and Elterwater.
3. Continue to follow the path. Be sure to explore the nearby areas too for waterfalls and other quarry features.
4. Keep retuning to the main path and follow this. Eventually, it will come to a river with a footbridge. Ignore the bridge and continue down the path.
5. When you reach a gate with a stile on your left, climb over the stile.
6. Head up the path. Ignore the curve to the right and continue straight as the best entrance to the cave is a few steps away on your right.
7. On your return journey, head back down to the stile.
8. Instead of going right, continue straight down the path.
9. Take the next path on your left.
10. Follow this path across the field and over another stile.
11. Continue along the grassy path until it meets a gravel track.
12. Follow the gravel path.
13. The gravel path will bring you back to Tilberthwaite Farm.
14. Continue on past the farm and back to the car park.

There we have two short and easy routes to Cathedral Cave. I’m sure there are many other options to incorporate this into a walk that bags a few wainwrights as well but, just for a quick afternoon, these routes are perfect.

Have you been to Cathedral Cave?

Amie x