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3 must visit Quarries and Caverns in the Lake District

Chris Knight

In this blog post I list three must visit quarries and caves in the Lake District National Park.

These ruins are a great option for when the Cumbrian weather has taken a turn for the worse or if you want to give your legs a well earned rest from the fells.

Two of the three locations are family friendly and all three have featured in the series two of The Witcher, a fantasy television series staring Henry Cavill which is broadcast on Netflix.

At a glance:

  • Cathedral Quarry

  • Rydal Caves

  • Hodge Close Quarry

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Cathedral Quarry, Little Langdale

Owned and managed by the National Trust, Cathedral quarry or “Cathedral Cave” as its sometimes known, is a small network of inter-linked quarries situated above Little Langdale.

The system is best known for its main chamber, which stands forty feet in height and has a large central rock pillar which extends from the floor to the ceiling.

The mighty main quarry, which is naturally lit by two large opening sis the cave, is one of those places which you have to experience to fully appreciate.

On the two occasions I have visited it, I was lucky enough to briefly be in the cavern by myself and was blown its size and eerie beauty.

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Where to park for Cathedral quarry?

The best place to park is above Hodge Close Quarry where there is a gravel car park with space for around 10 cars.

I’ve included a map of closest postcode, but the What Three Words location is ///parsnip.firm.reporter.

Free to park, the car park takes a bit of effort to reach. Access is via a steep and narrow single track road which has some brutal potholes.

Avoid driving up Smithy Brow Road to reach the car park as this will lead you into a private farm. Instead head towards Coniston before turning off shortly after Yew Tree Farm.

The benefit of parking here is that you will be directly above another quarry on this list, Hodge Close, so you can visit the two in one go.

How to reach Cathedral quarry?

From the car park at Hodge Close it’s a short one mile downhill walk down to the caves.

The main entrance to the cave is from the north, where a short 30m tunnel will take you into the the forty foot high chamber that is known as “The Cathedral”.

At the back of the cave is a second opening which will lead you into an open aired pit quarry. In the rocky amphitheatre there are various tunnels and inlets to explore, one of which is about 400 feet long.

You can climb up and explore the upper areas of mine. As well being able to view the quarry from its upper window you’ll also be grated a great view back over little Langdale and the surrounding fells

How long should you spend at Cathedral quarry?

You shouldn’t need more than an hour to explore Cathedral quarry and the surrounding area.

Rydal Caves, Rydal

Rydal Cave is a large cavern situated on the north side of Loughrigg Fell high above Rydal Water.

A great choice for families, this famous Lakeland beauty spot is actually man-made, as a result of slate quarrying.

The cave is a but of a under visited gem and is worth exploring, especially when there is rain forecast or if the fells are shrouded in cloud.

Where to Park for Rydal Caves?

The closest Car park is at Pelter Bridge, just outside of Rydal. The car park costs to park and is relatively small so it my be full if you are trying to park on weekends or in peak season.

If this car park is full you can park at Rydal Water Car Park, be aware this is a camera operated car park so don’t get caught out.

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How to reach Rydal Caves?

From the car park at Pelter Bridge, turn left follow the road east as it climbs gently past a series of houses.

After around 500m the path will flatten out before descending through a wooden stile onto a gravel path towards Rydal Water.

Follow the path as it skirts around and above Rydal water, before making the final short, steep and slightly rocky climb up the caves.

In order to get into the cavern you have to navigate a series of man made stepping stones over the shallow lake at the entrance. However once inside there’s plenty of floor space at the back of the cave to take in the view.

You’ll only need around 15 minutes to see the cave, so I’d recommend combining this walk with a loop of Rydal Water or continuing up to the summit of Loughrigg tarn.

I’d also recommend taking the time to visiting the grot at Rydal Falls which is situated across the road from the car park in Rydal Gardens. It’s a magical little hut next to a tranquil waterfall.

Hodge Close Quarry

Hodge Close quarry is a massive excavation of light green coloured slate known for its skull-shaped cavern which sits down at water level.

The quarry is just one of many slate workings located between Langdale and Coniston in the Tilberthwaite Valley.

The quarry is no longer operational but was worked on a large scale from the 19th century to small scale in the early 1960s.

The 100m deep sheer-sided and unfenced quarry is popular among abseilers, divers and hikers alike. After featuring in Netflix’s fantasy hit the Witcher, it has also become popular amongst fans of the show.

Whatever your reason for visiting this epic cavern is a must visit and has to be seen to be truely appreciated.

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Where to park for Hodge Close Quarry?

There’s a free gravel car park directly above Hodge Close Quarry with space for around 10 cars.

I’ve included a map of closest postcode, but the What Three Words location is ///parsnip.firm.reporter.

The car park takes a bit of effort to reach, access is via a steep and narrow single track road which has some brutal potholes.

Avoid driving up Smithy Brow Road to reach the car park as this will lead you into a private farm. Instead head towards Coniston before turning off shortly after Yew Tree Farm.

How to access Hodge Close quarry?

From the car park you only have to walk 25m to get amazing views of the massive water filled pit which sits 100m below.

Due to sudden vertical drop offs and loose rocks, common sense and care care should be taken around the edges of the Hodge Close quarry,

If you want to access the Skull Cavern which sits down at water level, you have to follow the road leading down Old Forge from the car park.

After passing the houses located on the ‘s’ shaped bend, follow the path which branches off to the right signposted ‘Oxen Fell’.

After 30m there will be a rustic shed on your left, directly opposite on your right hand side there will be a gap in a the metal wire fence.

Head through the gap and down the steep slate path into Parrock Quarry. The route is tricky and slippery underfoot but will level off after around 150m.

Once at the bottom of the quarry navigate your way past the fallen trees for a further 100m until you reach the cave.

Once the tricky slate slope is navigated getting down into the cavern and looking around is very easy.

You can easily access the the wrecked steel base of a crane which passes through the right hand opening in the quarry, dropping down into the 32m deep water below

You do have the option of passing through the left hand opening and scrambling around the rocky edges to get a side on view of the skull shaped caverns.

This route is very slippery and difficult to navigate so I wouldn’t advise climbing too far. As I had a couple of grand worth of camera gear with me and didn’t fancy slipping into the water and turned back sharpish.

Unfortunately you can’t access the other side of the quarry from Skull Cavern.

If you did want to reach the other side, you have to retrace your steps back up to the car park then scramble back down to the steep rocky slope on the opposite side of the quarry.

So there we have it, the three best Quarries and Caverns in the Lake District.

If I had to pick a favourite it would be Cathedral Cavern. Its a truly epic and magical place which has plenty of hidden tunnels to explore.

As they share the same car park, you can also combine a visit to this cavern with a trip to Hodge Close Quarry.

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You can find more Lake District inspiration in the following blogs;

You can find more hiking inspiration in the following blogs

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