The Top 14 Caves in Cumbria
Looking to visit a cave in Cumbria on your next adventure? To help you better plan your next outdoor experience, we’ve collected Cumbria’s 14
best caves for you. Based on the experiences of other users, each is a recommendation you know you can trust — so you can better plan your next adventure.
best caves for you. Based on the experiences of other users, each is a recommendation you know you can trust — so you can better plan your next adventure.
Last updated: November 13, 2025
Rydal Cave
Highlight • Cave
Rydal Cave is actually an old quarry called Loughrigg Quarry. It was used to mine slate tiles for the local buildings around 200 years ago. It now lies dormant and is partially flooded.
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Cathedral Cavern
Highlight • Historical Site
Cathedral Cavern is a surprisingly impressive chamber that emerges from the woodland just to the south of Little Langdale. At its centre is a massive pillar that supports the cavern …
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Cathedral Quarry
Highlight • Cave
Great to explore the tunnels and caverns. Bring a torch!
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Buttermere Tunnel
Highlight • Structure
This tunnel-like cave is on the footpath around Buttermere. It is about 50 feet (15 m) long. A torch is useful as there are deep puddles inside in the pitch-black cave.
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Priest's Hole
Highlight • Cave
This highlight does not have an established path to but well worth a visit. When the main path flattens from the steep climb veer towards the rock outcrop to the …
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Black Moss Pot
Highlight • Gorge
Black Moss Pot is a pool on Langstrath Beck where the water cascades into a small ravine. With high rock walls and a deep pool to jump into, it's is …
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Tilberthwaite Quarry Tunnel Entrance
Highlight • Structure
Once you are at "the ford", follow the road for another 100 meters and turn left up. When I was there, the gate was closed, but there is a step …
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Coniston Copper Mine Entrance
Highlight • Cave
A conspicuous arch-shaped tunnel entrance, once an access point for the Coniston copper mines.
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Millican Dalton's Cave
Highlight • Historical Site
Millican Dalton was an eccentric professor of adventure who lived in this cave for about 50 years. Born in 1867 he moved into the cave in his mid 30's, living …
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Lacy's Caves
Highlight • Structure
18th-century caves commissioned by Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Lacy were once used for entertaining guests. They're now a fantastic stop and interesting point of interest along the River Eden.
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Rydal Cave
Highlight • Natural Monument
This is the cave that Bear Grill's featured in one of his adventure programmes. He spent the night here with the actor Warwick Davies
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