(Adventures beyond the lakes and hills)
When people think about the Lake District, they usually picture the obvious things – lakes, mountains, and long walks, finishing at a pub. But dotted across the landscape are some incredible old slate quarries that feel like hidden worlds of their own.
Huge caverns, dramatic drops, waterfalls, and hints of the industrial past that filled Cumbria. For kids especially, they feel like something from an adventure film.
If you’re looking for something a little different on your Lake District trip, these three quarry walks are brilliant places to explore.
1. Cathedral Cave Quarry Walk, Lake District
Cathedral Cave is one of the most dramatic and unusual places in the Lake District. And the walk to reach it is part of the magic.
Parking is easy in nearby Little Langdale, where a local farm allows visitors to park for a small fee (LA22 9NY – located near Three Shires Inn). From the village you head off on foot, crossing the famous Slaters bridge which has become something of an icon in the Lakes.
From there it’s not far before the quarry landscape begins to appear. Once over Slaters Bridge, turn left as you go through the gate and then take the right path up. From here it’s pretty straight forward and you’ll start to see the cave entrance for Cathedral Cave.
And it really does feel like a cathedral.
The cavern is huge, with towering slate walls and a dramatic opening where the light pours through from above. On a bright day the beams of light cut across the stone and it’s absolutely beautiful.
One of the best things about this spot is that there’s plenty to explore. If you walk around and climb carefully behind the cave, you can actually look down into the quarry from above. There are more caves to explore than you first think.
Just remember this is an old working quarry so surfaces can be loose or slippery. Take care around the edges and keep a close eye on children.
But as an adventure walk? It’s hard to beat.
2. Hodge Close Quarry Walk, Lake District
If Cathedral Cave feels dramatic, Hodge Close Quarry feels almost otherworldly.
This huge slate quarry is filled with deep water and towering rock walls, and exploring it feels like stepping into another landscape entirely. I was almost silenced by the sheer size of it.
You can park nearby if you arrive early enough (LA21 8DJ), but on busier days we’ve parked about a 30-minute walk away (Tiberthwaite Car Park LA21 8DG) and walked in through the surrounding countryside, which is lovely in itself.
Once you reach the quarry, there’s a steep descent down into the main area. It’s definitely not pram-friendly and there’s a bit of clambering involved, so you’ll want to be comfortable on your feet.
That said, our kids (eight and four) managed it absolutely fine.
To find the path down, head a little further up the road past the quarry until you reach a few houses, then turn right. From there you’ll find what is loosely called a path – although in reality it’s more rocks and roots to scramble down.
But after only five minutes of scramble and woodland walking, the trees suddenly open and you arrive at the quarry floor.
It’s breathtaking.
Still water fills the base of the quarry and if you’re lucky enough to visit on a blue sky day, the reflection of the sky and trees in the water is beautiful. The rock walls tower above you and you can hear the constant dripping of water echoing around the space.
It’s quiet, slightly eerie, and completely fascinating.
3. Banishead Quarry Walk, Lake District
Banishead Quarry is a slightly longer adventure, but it’s one of the most rewarding quarry walks in this part of the Lakes.
We parked in the village hall in Torver (LA21 8AZ) but there are also a few lay by spots if you get there early. The route begins with a short stretch along the road before joining a proper path heading uphill.
It’s not overly steep, but there’s definitely a steady incline as you climb.
The walk itself is great fun for kids because along the way you pass enormous piles of old slate debris – huge mounds left behind from the quarrying days that feel like mini mountains themselves.
Eventually you pass through a couple of gates and cross a small bridge before continuing upwards. You’ll see signposts along the way. It’s easy to miss the quarry at first because it drops suddenly downwards, but there’s a safety fence marking the edge.
Then you spot it.
A huge quarry bowl with an epic waterfall pouring down the rock face.
It’s an incredible sight.
We walked around the edge and eventually found our way behind the waterfall to a smaller cascade where we stopped for a picnic. On a warm day it’s a brilliant place to sit for a while.
Some people do swim in quarries, but it’s worth remembering that the water can be extremely cold and there may be old machinery or hidden hazards. For us, it was simply an amazing place to explore and look at the views.
And afterwards we headed down to the excellent Wilson Arms for a well-earned grub break. A really excellent pub with good chips and a nice drink for all. They really cater to kids well too – if they still have energy in them. Always a good ending to a Lake District walk.
Make a Day of It
All three of these quarry walks are in roughly the same area around Coniston and Little Langdale, so they’re easy to combine with other great Lake District spots or tick them all off in one if you have a full day ahead of you.
Afterwards you could head into Ambleside for a wander around the independent shops and cafés, visit Coniston Coppermines or stop at Chesters by the River for lunch.
It’s a brilliant part of the Lakes to explore. Really breath-taking scenery and a part we keep going back to.
And while the mountains and lakes get most of the attention, the old quarries tell a different story of the Lake District – one filled with industry, adventure, and dramatic hidden landscapes.
Have you visited any quarries in the Lakes?
Hannah – Host at The Pheasant Lodge x