Rydal Caves GOOGLE MAPS
Rydal - Rydal Caves Difficulty: Easy Distance: 0.9 miles
Rydal Water
Rydal to the main
Start
chamber of Rydal Caves Right: Internal shot from the alternative cave with
Finish
interlinking tunnels.
Left: External shot of the alternative cave with interlinking tunnels. Right: Internal shot of the main chamber in Rydal caves. Note the scale of the caves compared to the tourists.
GOOGLE MAPS
Rydal Water
Difficulty: Intermediate Distance: 2.0 miles
Left: Overview of the walk from a car
Start
Rydal - Loughrigg Fell
park near Rydal to the trig point on Loughrigg Fell.
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1 EXPLORE BRITAIN / APRIL 2014
of the walk park near
Loughrigg Fell his relatively easy walk offers fantastic 360 degree views of the various fells, mountains and lakes in the Lake District. There are a few different routes to reach the top of Loughrigg Fell from Rydal but we’ve picked this particular route as it has the least steepest gradient. The route also offers walkers the option to explore Rydal Caves as it leads right past them on the way to Loughrigg Fell. Great views over the beautiful Rydal Water are also on offer throughout the chosen route. Rydal Water is only three quarters of a mile long, one quarter mile wide and with a depth of only 55 feet it is one of the Lake Districts smallest lakes. However, size certainly doesn’t matter in this case, Rydal Water’s strong connections to the poet William Wordsworth makes it a very popular destination for tourists to visit all year round. The river Rothay, which flows from Grasmere upstream and towards Windermere downstream both supplies and drains Rydal Water. Appropriate footwear will be required to climb the steeper sections of this walk.
Overview from a car
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ydal Caves are actually a series of man made quarries dating from the late 19th Century. The quarries were hollowed out of a rocky outcrops that overlook the picturesque Rydal Water. Formerly known as Loughrigg Quarry it provided excellent quality roofing slate and building stone for the local villages such as Grasmere, Ambleside and Windermere. Buildings in the lake district are famous for their characteristic construction technique that uses slate such as that found in Rydal Caves. Much of the cave is flooded by a rather stagnant looking pool that is however plentiful in small fish and insects that can be easily seen without entering the cave. It is possible to reach the back of the cave with dry feet by heading down the right hand side of the opening. The main chamber approximately stretches back an impressive 80 feet in length, 40 feet in width and 30 feet in height. Keep an eye out on the walk because as well as the popular main cave there are also equally impressive caves situated on the hillsides of Rydal Water. These caves consist of multiple chambers that are all interlinked by a series of carefully constructed tunnels. Torchlight required to explore these caves thoroughly.
Left:
Right: View from the top of Loughrigg Fell looking down
Finish
towards Grasmere
Left: View of Rydal Water and Nab Scar from the top of Rydal Caves. Right: Raven blending in with the environment watching the sun set from the top of Loughrigg Fell.
CAVE SPECIAL & COUNTRYSIDE WALKS
APRIL 2014 / EXPLORE BRITAIN 2
Countryside Walks Little Langdale - Cathedral Caves Difficulty: Easy Distance: 0.7 miles
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he easily missed, Cathedral caves are located right in the heart of the Lake District just south of Little Langdale, Cumbria. In this easy countryside walk, we guide you from Little Langdale to the main chamber in the Cathedral Quarries in six simple steps. The main chamber - ‘The Cathedral’ reaches an impressive 40-feet at its highest point and is supported by a large stone pillar in the center of the chamber. It is beautifully lit by natural light entering into the cave from a southwesterly direction by two large purpose-made gaps. The quarry is managed by the National Trust and activities such as rock climbing, guided tours and even concerts take place in the caves. GOOGLE MAPS
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Arriving and parking Once you arrive in the quaint hamlet of Little Langdale you will need to find a parking space - this is easier said than done. However, there is a wide area of road which is suitable for a couple of cars to park on which is just up the hill from the Three Shires Inn. This road also marks the beginning of our walk to the caves.
3 EXPLORE BRITAIN / APRIL 2014
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Down by the riverside Heading towards the river follow the road for approximately 5 minutes, passing houses on your right. Towards the end of the road you will come across a raised footpath that leads towards the bridge shown in the picture above. After crossing the bridge immediately turn right and follow the public footpath for aprx.300 meters.
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Easy to miss After following the popular public footpath for about 300 meters you will see large wooden gate on your left. Make sure you keep a close eye out for the gate as it is very easily missed. Heading through the gate you will notice all of the loose quarry waste on your right. - Don’t forget to close the gate behind yourself!
CAVE SPECIAL
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Almost there You will immediately stumble upon this green sign from the National Trust. This marks the entrance to the Cathedral Quarry and also act’s as an assembly point in the unlikely case of any accidents or emergencies. The sign reads ‘Individuals enter at their own risk’. Assure that you read the full sign before entering.
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Light at the end of the tunnel Now all that’s left to do is to enter the man made tunnel that leads to the Cathedral Cavern. Torchlight is not required as natural light entering the tunnel from both ends illuminates the footpath. As you approach the end of the tunnel you will be able to make out the base of the impressive central column.
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Enjoy As soon as you reach the end of the tunnel the scale of this cave will instantly take you aback. The large central column stands proudly in the middle of the cave and is delicately lit by two large openings in the side of the cave. Also listen out for the beautiful acoustic sounds that are created by the caves echoing walls.
APRIL 2014 / EXPLORE BRITAIN 4
Luxury Lakeside
Accommodation
Lake Ullswater Beauthorn Cottages Location: Lake Ullswater Closest village: Pooley Bridge (2 miles) Prices from: £320 (7 nights)
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eauthorn Cottages and the Boathouse all form part of what was the Beauthorn Estate set romantically amidst beautiful and inspirational grounds sat on the banks of one of Britain’s most picturesque Lakes, Ullswater, and where it is believed inspiration for Wordsworth’s poem “Daffodils” was drawn. The Cottage and Coach House are comfortably appointed in traditional style with a cosy log burning stove in the cottage. The Coach House features a first floor balcony with breathtaking views over the Lake and across to The Sharrow Bay and Hallin Fell. The grounds to Beauthorn Cottage and The Coach House are mature, secluded and enclosed and lead down the hillside to the Boathouse, Jetty and lakeshore beach. Fishing and of course sailing are just two of the activities to be enjoyed from Beauthorn. Guests are welcome to bring their own boats for use during their stay (launches are available close by). Children will love skimming stones and paddling from the beach. Boats
LUXURY LAKESIDE ACCOMMODATION can be hired if required close by too. The walking in this area is of course renowned for its beauty with close proximity to The National Trust owned Aira Force waterfall and its inspiring surrounding countryside. For those who love the great outdoors the area is perfect, walks from the door, mountains to climb and a lake to enjoy a leisurely trip on the steamer. Ullswater steamers operate
throughout the year from Glenridding to Pooley Bridge, stopping in the summer at Howtown. The steamers are fully licensed and can also be hired out for special events. Ullswater steamers have been offering cruises on Ullswater for over 150 years and this multiaward winning attraction is a ‘must do’ for any visitor to the area. Dogs are welcome on
the Ullswater steamers. Other Ullswater lake activities include: fishing, which is mostly for Brown Trout (15th march to 30th September) and Perch (June to march). In Ullswater you do not require a permit, but a national rivers authority rod license must be held, and can be purchased on a daily, weekly or annual basis from either the Pooley Bridge or Glenridding tourist information center. Brown Trout can be fished in the river Eamont which flows from Ullswater, but a permit is required. Permits can be purchased from Charles Sykes sports shop, 4 great Dockray, Penrith. 017684 862418. Fishing tackle and bait can be bought at the Ullswater petrol station, Glenridding. 017684 82008. Rod hire is also available. Ullswater boat hire small motor boats (maximum speed 10 mph) and rowing boats can be hired on hourly, half day and whole day rates from: st Patrick’s Boat Landings, Glenridding 01768482393, or Nick Grundy at Ullswater Marine, Watermillock (017684 86415), or Lakeland Boat Hire at Pooley Bridge (07773671399) further afield but still only a short drive away is Rookin house equestrian & activity center 017684 83561, Troutbeck, four miles north of the lake, offers a range of activities for adults and children including horse riding quad biking and archery.
Promotional video available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4deqnq7CuK0
“I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o’er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.” - William Wordsworth
APRIL 2014 / EXPLORE BRITAIN 6