Rydal Cave

Tucked away on the side of Loughrigg Fell, above Rydal Water, sits a spectacular cavern, Rydal Cave. You would be forgiven for thinking this was an ancient, natural cave, but it is in fact the former Loughrigg Quarry.

The quarry was used throughout the 19th century to obtain the slate needed to build much of the buildings, roofs and walls of the Lake District. The high-quality green slate was formed around 450 million years ago during the Ordovician period and was highly prized by the Victorians.

Unlike the open cast slate quarries that dot the area, the miners here were following a seam that ran into the fell side, meaning they had to hollow out the mountain from within, which left the huge cavern we see today. When quarrying became unviable and the miners left, the cave was left to be reclaimed by nature. Rainwater began to flood the floor, creating a shallow lake, while mosses and ferns colonised the rock faces.

There are a couple of routes up to the cave, a steady climb up from Pelter Bridge along a path that skirts the lower slopes of Loughrigg Fell, and from White Moss Common which is a steeper, more wooded route. As you near the cave it suddenly reveals itself, framed by the purple Foxgloves in summer and Silver Birch trees in the winter.

To get into the heart of the cave you will need to navigate the stepping stones which get you through the shallow lake. If you take a few moments to stay still and watch you might notice the population of Minnows that live there. Be warned though, there are supposedly Leeches that live there too! You will also become aware of the Jackdaws and other birds that nest within the cave, their calls echoing off the walls.

Rydal Cave faces roughly north east, so gets the morning sun, giving the water a lovely glow on those rare days when you see the sun in the Lakes. On the more common overcast days the cave takes on a more brooding atmosphere.

It is not only a popular location to visit for walkers and tourists, it has been used for concerts as its acoustics are so good and was also used as a location for the 2012 film “Snow White and the Huntsman”, you won't find Chris Hemsworth or Charlize Theron there when you visit sadly.