Undeniably one of the most stunning caves in the Lakes, there’s good reason why so many flock to feast their eyes on Cathedral Quarry each and every year.
Also known as Cathedral Cave, this incredibly atmospheric cavern is best known for the gaping hole in the main chamber, dramatically lighting up the cavern akin to how a stain-glassed window would in a cathedral.
Tucked away in the luscious countryside of Little Langdale, the cave can however prove a tad tricky to find…unless you know where you’re going that is!
With numerous trails leading to the sprawling series of interlinking caverns, this blog post will detail the easiest and most direct route to Cathedral Quarry.
Under 2 miles in length and full of variety, this ramble is great for all abilities and always proves a favourite with the kids!
Interested? Let’s get to it 👇 👇
What is Cathedral Cave?
Dating as far back as the 16th Century, Cathedral Cave was formerly dubbed the ‘Little Langdale Quarries’ and was primarily known as a location for extracting green slate.
With the industrial revolution creating more efficient methods of extracting slate at scale, throughout the 1800s miners employed drills and explosive techniques to extract from the quarry and provide material for the swathes of local houses being erected at the time.
In 1929, highly celebrated author and local resident Beatrix Potter purchased the rights to Cathedral Quarry, before transferring ownership to the National Trust who still maintain the site for us all to enjoy today.
Where is Cathedral Quarry?
Nestled in the serene & craggy countryside of Langdale Valley in the Lake District, there are a number of trails leading to Cathedral Cave, though the easiest and most direct starts from Little Langdale.
Cathedral Cave Address: 3 Stang End, Little Langdale, Ambleside LA22 9NT
Where do you park for Cathedral Caves?
While Cathedral Quarry is pinned on Google Maps, I certainly wouldn’t recommend trying to head straight there in the car.
It’s only directly accessible on foot and many of the tiny & winding roads surrounding the quarry aren’t very vehicle-friendly.
To save yourself the hassle, the most sensible option is to drive into Little Langdale and try to snag some parking around there.
Nevertheless, with no car parks on offer, you’d be best getting here early before the crowds arrive and finding some road-side parking.
On my last visit, I managed to park just outside Lowfield House. There is a small stretch of roadside parking here, enough for around 8-10 vehicles I’d say.
I’ll leave a pin below:
How long is the Cathedral Quarry walk?
An easy walk coming in at under a mile each way, this ramble can easily be completed in 1-2 hours, depending how long you’d like to spend exploring the cave and surrounding countryside.
Great for walkers of all abilities, it is worth noting however that there are a few stiles to clamber over and a segment across Slater’s Bridge which may not be best suited for those not steady with their footing.
Cathedral Cave Walk Route (Step-by-step guide)
📍 Location:Side Gates, Little Langdale, Ambleside, LA22 9NY
🥾 Distance: 1.5 miles (0.7 miles each way)
💪 Difficulty: Easy
⛅ Weather: BBC Weather, Little Langdale
Head into Little Langdale past the Three Shires Inn,, before taking the first left turning down Fitz Steps lane as you approach the signpost.
After a few hundred metres along Fitz Steps, keep your eyes peeled for the gate on your right which leads onto the footpath towards Slater’s Bridge. There should be a sign here stating ‘Slater’s Bridge’, though its been so weathered through the years that its quite hard to spot these days!
From here, simply-follow the footpath over the rolling hillsides and down towards Slater’s Bridge.
Admire the views as you cross Slater’s Bridge and hop over the stile until you come to another gate directly ahead.
Pass through the gate and take an immediate left, following the trail for a short while until you come to a fork.
Take the right turning up the hill and continue straight ahead. Shortly you will see the entrance to Cathedral Quarry’s main chamber.
Enjoy exploring the caverns!
FAQs
What is Slater’s Bridge at Cathedral Quarry?
Along the Cathedral Cave walk, one of the other main highlights has to be traversing over the historic Slater’s Bridge.
Built in the 17th century as a packhorse crossing for local miners heading to-and-from work, the bridge was aptly named after the very slates which were extracted from Little Langdale’s nearby quarries.
The builders skillfully used this local slate to create the iconic archway over River Brathay, which looks like something you’d expect see in a fairy-tale.
A favourite spot for nature photographers, Slater’s Bridge has now stood strong for over 300 years and offers a captivating snapshot of Lake District history.
Are dogs allowed in Cathedral Cave?
Indeed, dogs are allowed in Cathedral Quarry. Just as when walking anywhere, please keep them under control and be mindful of other visitors.
Is Cathedral Quarry safe for children?
Cathedral Cave is a great day out for adults and children alike. Nevertheless, there are stiles, bridges and some hazardous drops along this walk, so best to keep children in close proximity under adult supervision at all times.
Other Caverns at Cathedral Quarry
While the main chamber is the highlight of the show, be sure to stick around a little longer and uncover some of the other caverns on offer.
Once exiting the main chamber, if you take a left turning up past the National Trust hut, you can actually clamber up and peer into the main chamber from the upper ‘window’.
Likewise, if this short ramble is a little short for your liking, then why not head further afield and also check out the jaw-dropping Hodge Close Quarry?
Hodge Close Quarry and Cathedral Cave
Another favourite cavern of ours in the Lake District, did you know Hodge Close Quarry has even previously been dubbed Britain’s scariest cave?
This is due to the cavern’s reflection in the water giving the uncanny appearance of a terrifying skull.
Not one to miss, Netflix’s hit fantasy ‘The Witcher’ even used this dramatic cavern as a filming location.
A great destination to combine with a ramble to Cathedral Cave, be sure to check out our Ultimate Hodge Close Quarry Guide for all you need to know!
While you’re here…
The Lake District is absolutely teeming with outdoor adventure.
For cavern fanatics, why not check out our ‘BEST Caves In The Lakes’ post? While wild swimmers will likely want to read through our favourite selection of wild swimming spots in the National Park.
Happy walking 🚶 🚶