Tilberthwaite to Cathedral Quarry
Lake District
This woodland walk from Tilberthwaite to Cathedral Quarry has views of the fells and impressive remnants of past quarrying activities
Near to
Tarn Hows and ConistonStart point
Tilberthwaite National Trust Car Park, Coniston, Cumbria. Grid reference: NY 30570107 what3words: ///wolves.diverged.tissuewhat3words
///wolves.diverged.tissueTrail information
Rockfalls, sheer drops and deep water
As a disused quarry the site has unprotected sheer drops, deep water and there is a chance of rockfall, so if you choose to visit, please come prepared.
Total stages: 10
Total stages: 10
Start point
Tilberthwaite National Trust Car Park, Coniston, Cumbria. Grid reference: NY 30570107 what3words: ///wolves.diverged.tissue
Stage 1
Turn left out of the car park onto the narrow road. Follow it around the corner, walking towards the farm buildings in the distance.
Tarmac road bending around a corner towards stone cottages, Tilberthwaite, Cumbria | © National Trust/ Lucy Baird Stage 2
Walk straight through the farmyard, skirting past the corner of the barn on the right and through the wooden gate. The trail remains on this footpath.
A stony footpath through the farm leading to the bridleway, Tilberthwaite, Cumbria | © National Trust/ Lucy Baird Stage 3
Continue as the path rounds the corner.
Bridleway lined with a drystone wall, Tilberthwaite, Cumbria | © National Trust// Lucy Baird Stage 4
Go straight on through the large wooden gate. Please stick to the path as there is no access to the quarry from here.
Large wooden gate across the footpath, Tilberthwaite, Cumbria | © National Trust/ Lucy Baird Stage 5
Keep on the path as it bends around a corner to the right ignoring the metal fence with the no entry sign.
Downhill sloping path around a corner, Tilberthwaite, Cumbria | © National Trust/ Lucy Baird Stage 6
Walk through the wooden gate and continue past a house on the left of the path.
Wooden gate across the footpath lined with drystone walls, Tilberthwaite, Cumbria | © National Trust/ Lucy Baird Stage 7
Where the path forks, take the left hand path and walk down to a ford and stone bridge.
At the fork, the path bends around to the left, Tilberthwaite, Cumbria | © National Trust/ Lucy Baird Stage 8
Do not cross the bridge but remain on the footpath for another 110yd (100m) until you reach the entrance to Cathedral Quarry on your left.
Footpath continues alongside the river and stone bridge, Tilberthwaite, Cumbria | © National Trust/ Lucy Baird Stage 9
Go through the wooden gate and take the short climb up the footpath to the information panel at the top.
Access point into Cathedral Quarry, Cathedral Quarry, Cumbria | © National Trust/ Lucy Baird Stage 10
On the right of the information panel is a long tunnel which takes you directly into the cave.
Information panel mounted in a wooden frame, Cathedral Quarry, Cumbria | © National Trust/ Lucy Baird End point
Cathedral Quarry, Little Langdale, Cumbria
Trail map
Tilberthwaite to Cathedral Quarry Trail Route, Little Langdale, Cumbria | © National Trust/ Lucy Baird
More near here
Tarn Hows circular walk
Take in stunning views of the Lake District fells as you follow this easy, accessible route around a tree-lined tarn, with a Tramper mobility scooter available to borrow.
