The impressive main chamber cave at Cathedral Quarry, a man-made cave featuring a majestic 40 foot high vaulted roof. Cathedral Quarry is a small network of interlinked quarries above Little Langdale that were mined hundreds of years ago, and although now disused, they are maintained and kept open for free by the National Trust. They are a brilliant little destination for a short walk and explore, especially with kids who will love it too. Read on to learn all you need to know….
A short walk to Cathedral CAVE Quarry from Little Langdale IN THE LAKE DISTRICT
This walk to Cathedral Cave is not very long at all at 1.6 miles and is quite flat most of the way – with a short gentle uphill into Cathedral Quarry itself. It’s perfect for families and kids as the Quarry is a great place to explore. You’ll find the short Cathedral Cave walk details below!
WALK OVERVIEW:
WALK DISTANCE: 1.6 miles
WALK TIME: 1.5-2 hours (inc. STOPS)
WALK DIFFICULTY: EASY
Cathedral CAVE Quarry walk – MAKE sure you choose this route!
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Here you can see where this walk to Cathedral Quarry in the Lake District starts. For those familiar with the area, Little Langdale is the ideal place to park the car and start the walk to Cathedral Quarry. However the roads around here are very narrow and there isn’t lots of car parking space here (Maybe space for only 10 cars on the road side at the map point above – so if you want to bag the best I advise to get here very early! See below on more info on Car Parking) If you start your walk at Little Langdale it’s a short walk to the delightful Slaters Bridge, then onto Cathedral Cave Quarry to explore the caves. After that cross the river again on another bridge to the east and head back. Click the map button above to view the full interactive map route (note you will need a subscription to OS maps to view all map features) |
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CATHEDRAL CAVE QUARRY WALK – FAQ:
Where is Cathedral Quarry located?
Cathedral Quarry is situated near the village of Little Langdale in the heart of the Lake District National Park. The exact coordinates are N54°24.238’ W3°03.400’. To get there park in Little Langdale and follow the well-marked footpaths. The walk is approximately 1.5 miles from Little Langdale and is suitable for most fitness levels. The walk featured on this page is the best route.
Is there an entry fee for Cathedral Quarry?
No, there is no entry fee to visit Cathedral Quarry. It is open to the public year-round, but visitors are encouraged to respect the site and take all litter with them.
What should I bring when visiting Cathedral Quarry?
When visiting Cathedral Quarry, it’s advisable to bring:
- A torch or headlamp (the tunnels can be dark)
- Sturdy footwear (the ground can be uneven, wet and slippery)
- A camera to capture the stunning views
- Water and snacks, to help you enjoy thsi impressive location, especially if planning a longer hike
Is Cathedral Quarry suitable for children?
Yes, Cathedral Quarry is suitable for children, but supervision is necessary due to the uneven terrain and potential hazards inside the tunnels and chambers.
Can I bring my dog to Cathedral Quarry?
Dogs are welcome at Cathedral Quarry, but they should be kept on a leash, especially near the quarry edges and inside the tunnels.
Is Cathedral Quarry accessible for people with disabilities?
Due to the uneven and rugged terrain, Cathedral Quarry is not easily accessible for individuals with mobility issues. The paths can be narrow, steep, and slippery.
How old is Slaters Bridge?
Slaters Bridge is over 300 years old dating from the 17th century, when it was used as a packhorse bridge over the River Brathay and to allow the miners, or ‘slaters’ quarry the surrounding area, such as whats now known as Cathedral Quarry! Crossing it is one of the highlights on this walk.
Photos of what to expect on the Cathedral CAVE Quarry Walk:
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| Blink and you will miss it! This is where you take the footpath off the minor road in Little Langdale village and head to Slaters Bridge |
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| At the start of the walk you can see the entrance to Cathedral Quarry over the little valley and the remnants of the slate from the old mine workings and which is where we are eventually heading |
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| Heading to the old Slaters Bridge – a highlight on this walk – it’s classic Lake District stuff! |
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What a Lake District view eh! Slaters Bridge is one of the ancient pedestrian Lake District stone bridges still in use that was built in the 17th century. The packhorses and miners would have used it to walk over the River Brathay to the surrounding quarries. It connects the hamlet of Little Langdale to all the old slate quarries in the Tiberthwaite Area including Cathedral Quarry. It’s a timeless view on this walk and a place to stop and admire.
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| We leave one path… |
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..and head up another into Cathedral Quarry, it’s not much of a walk up this gentle bank.
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The National trust now own the site and it provides some interesting history about Cathedral Quarry on it’s signs
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| We enter Catherdral Cave Quarry through an 80m tunnel that the old miners would have used. If it’s a dark overcast day a torch may come in handy here! |
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| When you get inside Catherdal Cave the main chamber is very impressive and the acoustic’s are amazing. Apparently raves used to be held here in the 80’s! There has been some recent rockfall in the cave so some sections are marked off – but it’s still deemed safe by the National Trust. |
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The main cave in the Cathedral chamber is lit up by a window which you can exit by and further explore.
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Looking back into the main cave in Cathedral Quarry Chamber and you can see the pillar of rock that is helping to hold the roof up!
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| There are all sorts of tunnels and caves to explore in Cathedral Quarry- just bring some sturdy waterproof shoes, a torch and have fun! |
You can even scramble up out of the main Catherdal Cave and look down on it – there is plenty to explore – just make sure you all stay together!
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| After we’ve finished exploring the Cathedral Caves, we head back down to the main path and head for a different bridge downstream over the River Brathay and back to Little Langdale! |
Cathedral Cave quarry – a bit of history
Cathedral Cave is a stunning man-made cavern located in the Lake District, near the village of Little Langdale. Originally part of a slate quarry, the cave was carved out over centuries by miners extracting high-quality Lakeland slate. The most impressive feature of Cathedral Cave is its vast central chamber, which stands around 40 feet (12 meters) high and is supported by a single dramatic rock pillar. The cavern gets its name from this awe-inspiring chamber, as the natural light streaming through a large opening in the rock face gives it a cathedral-like atmosphere. Today, it stands as a fascinating reminder of the region’s industrial past and the skill of the miners who once worked here.
Now a popular spot for walkers, photographers, and history enthusiasts, Cathedral Cave is part of a network of old interconnected quarry tunnels in the area. Visitors can explore the cavern freely, following a winding footpath through tunnels and past striking rock formations. While the slate industry in the Lake District declined in the 20th century, places like Cathedral Cave remain as historical landmarks, offering a glimpse into the area’s rich quarrying heritage. With its combination of natural beauty and industrial history, Cathedral Cave is one of the most unique and intriguing hidden gems in the Lake District.
PARKING FOR YOUR CATHEDRAL CAVE WALK
The best place to park the car is the tiny village of Little Langdale. Beware of using google maps or a sat nav to get you close to Cathedral Quarry as it will give you the impression that you can drive and park quite close to Cathedral Quarry, you cannot – as the google maps route is on some very narrow, steep and unsuitable roads/dirt tracks with no road-side parking!
Instead head for Little Langdale. The Cathedral Cave walk route I have featured above starts in the tiny village of Little Langdale and from the location of Parking Option 1 in the above map image. However there is only free roadside car parking space here for around 10 cars. If you get here early (pre-10am) you should be fine – buit it will get very busy on weekends and school holidays. There is no other space in the small village of Little Langdale – so you will need to head back down the road and try for Parking Option 2 at the cross-roads, which is a small pay & display car park, and then walk back up the bank! Note the roads around here are very narrow, and on summer weekends – if you can’t get here early – I would avoid it to be honest or you may end up disappointed – or with an even longer walk on your hands!
Cathedral Cave Walk Conclusion
I hope this little write up on Cathedral Cave and the photos inspire you to want to visit Cathedral Cave Quarry and give the route a go. It’s one of the most popular blog posts on this website and for godo reason. It’s a superb little walk for all the family, young & old! Kids will love it though as it’s not too long and have plenty to capture their interest at Cathedral Quarry. I hope it helps you plan a viist and if you have any questions about this Cathedral Cave Quarry walking route – just post a comment below and I’ll try and help.
Thank you for this! I'm going to use it this December, can't wait!
No probs at all – hope you find it of use – enjoy your visit
Thank you for all the info. I'm not able to walk long distances, so to find a shorter route other than from Tilberthwaite was ideal. Lots of water in the river on our visit. An amazing area to explore. Thank again.
Glad it was useful – I can imagine the river was crazy full at the weekend!
A great little guide and nice photos too. Thanks 😁
Really pleased you found it useful – thanks for your feedback!
Very nice walk, way too easy, it’s a shame there’s nothing else around as the walk leaves you with appetite for more. The hint about the gate for the bridge was a spot on, and parking space is really limited so make sure to park in recommended place.
This route is nice and short for the family – there is a good longer walk you can do that heads to Hodge Close Quarry too!
How do I find the route/instructions for this walk?
Click the red button at the top called ‘view OS maps route’