Complete Guide to Visiting Rydal Caves Lake District
Rydal Caves, located on the north side of Loughrigg Fell above Rydal Water, are a popular tourist destination in the Lake District. The caves, created through slate quarrying, can be accessed by walking on stepping stones.
Finding and accessing Rydal Cave is straightforward. This guide covers all the information needed to visit Rydal Cave and Rydal Water, including how to get there, parking options, and more.
Upon reaching the Rydal Caves, the first cave you see may not be the main cave. However, you can climb into this cave and look around (however, the rope that was once there to guide you has now gone).
Instead, keep going up and around the corner to find the main large cave entrance. Once inside, there are large stepping stones to jump on (which are usually full of tourists trying to get that perfect Instagram shot). When you see the tourists on the stepping stones, you know you are in the right place!
Rydal Caves Walk Details
- Mostly flat terrain with some rocky areas near the cave
- Can be explored in 30 minutes to 1 hour (roughly a 2-mile walk)
- Rydal Cave is free to visit.
- Rydal Cave is located above Rydal Water on a main trail.
- There are no signposts, but it is easy to find, and there is a pin on Google Maps.
What to bring:
- A coat or jacket to prepare for changeable weather
- Waterproofs for potential rain
- Waterproof boots at Rydal Cave can be wet regardless of the weather
- A day pack with a bottle of water and snacks
- Lunch or food for a picnic!
Rydal Caves Car Park
There are many options for you to park at Rydal Cave. The closest and most convenient parking options for Rydal Cave are Pelter Bridge Car Park or White Moss Car Park. They are both roughly 1 mile from Rydal Caves.
Rydal Cave Car Park Option One
The slightly closer car park to Rydal Caves is Pelter Bridge Car Park. It is smaller and fills up fast but has a shorter walk to the cave and is less expensive.
The address is Ambleside LA22 9LW. You can follow the Google Maps Directions here.
It’s a pay-and-display car park with a cost of £3.50 for two hours of parking. However, three free car parking spaces are available in a lay-by one-minute drive from the car park, but they fill up quickly.
There are no facilities such as toilets at the trailhead or along the route, so visitors should plan accordingly.
Rydal Cave Car Park Option Two
White Moss Car Park is larger and has a long walk to the cave but more expensive parking.
The car park has many terrible reviews on TripAdvisor as the car park is equipped with cameras and license plate tracking via the ‘Park With Ease’ system, which records the time of arrival and departure, and charges accordingly.
Many visitors had reported receiving late fines, even when they returned on time, so it’s best to be cautious.
The address is White Moss Car Park, Ambleside, LA22 9SE.
You can follow the Google Maps Directions here.
Rydal Caves Map
Walking routes to Rydal Cave
Walk One – Starting from Rydal’s Pelter Bridge Car Park
Take the A591 from Ambleside, turn left over a small bridge, and immediately right over a cattle grid to reach the car park.
The walk to the caves takes about 20-30 minutes and is about 1 mile each way (for a total of 2 miles round trip).
When you reach a fork in the path, take the left way, and walk away from the water and up to the caves, not down to the shoreline.
Walk Two – Starting from White Moss Car Park
Head down the main path, crossing the river at the first bridge. Take the left fork (the right fork leads to Grasmere along the river’s edge) and walk through White Moss woods.
At the end of the woods, turn right and left to take the higher path to the caves, appearing on your right after about half a mile.
Then continue to explore the caves, taking care not to get wet while crossing the stepping stones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was The Witcher filmed at Rydal Cave?
Rydal Cave has recently gained even more popularity as a filming location for Netflix’s fantasy series “The Witcher.” You can spot the cave in episode 7 (“Voleth Meir”) of season 2, where a character takes a dip in its waters.
Other filming locations in the Lake District used in the show include Hodge Close Quarry and Blea Tarn. Fans of the show can visit all three of these locations in a one-day trip.
Why should I visit Rydal Cave?
Rydal Cave is an excellent option for a unique natural attraction that doesn’t take up a whole day or require a lot of walking. The cave has a sense of mystery, and the views of Rydal Water are breathtaking.
Additionally, there are many paths to explore the surrounding woods and enjoy more of the Lake District’s natural beauty. The area is also on the flight path for the RAF, providing the opportunity to see and hear fast-flying jets overhead.
What is Rydal Cave?
Rydal Cave is a unique artificial cave above Rydal Water near Loughrigg Falls in the Lake District. It was a working quarry over 200 years ago, and as a result, it has a distinct appearance.
The Lake District was a central mining area for valuable ores, and there are several impressive caves, such as Cathedral Quarry.
When is the best time to visit Rydal Caves?
The caves can get very crowded on weekends and school holidays. It is recommended to avoid weekends and peak periods to avoid crowds.
The lakes, though busy, are large enough that it is possible to find a quieter spot.
Can I swim at Rydal Cave?
Wild swimmers often dip in Rydal Cave waters and seem to value this spot highly.
Strangely, you can see an abundance of fish inside the cave. However, it is intriguing to note that the pool is stagnant and does not receive water from any other source, which raises the question of how the fish got there.
What can I do nearby?
- Climb Loughrigg Fell and Loughrigg Terrace
- Explore Rydal and see Rydal Waterfalls, St Mary’s Church, Rydal Mount, and Rydal Hall.
- Visit Grasmere and eat some gingerbread.
- Walk around Rydal Waters and see views over Grasmere
- Discover Ambleside and Stock Ghyll Falls.
We hope you find this helpful guide to discovering the beauty of the cave and Rydal Water! A walk to Rydal Cave is worth a visit, but you should know that it will likely be busy due to its popularity.
Exploring more of the Lake District? Please read:
Photo Credits: averagelives.com
We want to stress that ‘Average Lives’ cannot be held liable for any injuries or accidents that may occur while walking our routes. We strongly advise that you wear proper footwear to reduce the risk of injuries, and carry a paper map and compass to ensure your safety while walking. You can read more on our About Page.