Caves carved into the sandstone cliffs in Little Salkeld
Carved in the 18th century by Colonel Samuel Lacy of nearby Salkeld Hall, caves were part of a trend among the gentry to create romantic ruins and grottos on their estates.
But Lacy’s Caves were more than just decorative—they were used to entertain guests, store wine, and spark the imagination.
Colonel Lacy was no stranger to drama. According to local folklore, he once attempted to blow up the nearby Long Meg stone circle, but a sudden storm—seen as a sign of disapproval by the pagan gods—halted the plan.
He’s also said to have hired a hermit to live in the caves, adding an air of ancient mystery for visiting guests.
The caves are carved into soft red sandstone, but over time, nature has left its mark.
Hard quartz veins criss-crossing the exposed layers of softer sandstone highlight centuries of erosion and weathering. The result is a striking contrast of textures and colours.
Please take great care in the vicinity of these caves. Children should be very closely supervised.
The area in and around the caves is narrow and precipitous in places and inside the caves there are openings overlooking the river through which there is a sudden and sheer drop down to the fast-flowing water below.
We've heard from Westmorland and Furness Council that the paths to Lacy's Caves have been reopened, but the necessary repairs have not yet been made.
We haven't had the chance to walk the route yet to see if it is suitable to add to our walks listings, but if you would like to walk it at your own risk, you can download the Discover Eden walk leaflet.
We've heard from Westmorland and Furness Council that the paths to Lacy's Caves have been reopened, but the necessary repairs have not yet been made.
We haven't had the chance to walk the route yet to see if it is suitable to add to our walks listings, but if you would like to walk it at your own risk, you can download the Discover Eden walk leaflet.
