Kirkhead Cave: Unearthing Cumbria’s Ancient Past
Long before the Lake District became the landscape we know today, early humans were already exploring its rugged terrain.
As the last Ice Age retreated, the first settlers began moving north into what is now Cumbria, leaving behind traces of their lives that still fascinate archaeologists centuries later.
One of the most remarkable places where those traces survive is Kirkhead Cave — a prehistoric site hidden in the limestone hills of southern Cumbria, just a short walk from Kents Bank Holiday Cottage.
Located in the Parish of Allithwaite near Grange-over-Sands, Kirkhead Cave is one of only three known Palaeolithic caves in the whole of Cumbria. That alone makes it special. But what has been found inside makes it truly extraordinary.
At a glance
- Kirkhead Cave is one of only three known Palaeolithic caves in Cumbria, making it a rare and nationally important prehistoric site.
- A human leg bone found in the cave is the oldest known human bone from northern Britain, radiocarbon dated to just over 10,000 years old.
- The cave’s limestone began forming 335 million years ago when Britain lay close to the equator beneath a warm tropical sea.
- Finds spanning thousands of years — from Ice Age flint tools to a Roman coin — show the cave was used repeatedly by different peoples across history.
- Kirkhead Cave is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and sits within easy walking distance of Kents Bank Holiday Cottage.
Ancient Rock, Ancient Sea
The limestone that forms Kirkhead Cave has a story of its own, stretching back around 335 million years.
At that time, Britain sat close to the equator, and a warm tropical sea covered what is now Cumbria.
Tiny sea creatures died and their shells drifted down to the seabed, slowly building up layer upon layer of lime-rich mud.
Over millions of years, that mud hardened into the pale grey rock visible today in the hills and headlands of South Cumbria.
The cave sits on a geological fault — a crack in the earth where blocks of rock have shifted against each other.
South Cumbria is crossed by many of these faults, and they have shaped the landscape in striking ways.
The dramatic coastal headland of Humphrey Head, just along the shore, owes its distinctive profile to exactly the same forces, and it too contains a cave.
How the Cave Was Formed
Kirkhead Cave is a single chamber, roughly 13 metres long. It was not carved by the sea or by ice, but by fresh water.
Long ago, when the water table in this area was much higher than it is today, rainwater seeped into cracks in the limestone and slowly dissolved the rock from the inside.
Over thousands of years, that process hollowed out the chamber we see today.
A Window Into the Palaeolithic Era
Palaeolithic caves and rock shelters offer some of the earliest evidence of human presence in Britain.
Kirkhead Cave sits firmly within that category — and it holds a find of national importance.
Among the discoveries made here is the oldest known human bone from northern Britain.
A fragment of a human leg bone found in the cave was radiocarbon-dated to just over 10,000 years old, placing it shortly after the last Ice Age.
This remarkable find provides a direct link to some of the region’s first inhabitants.
What the Excavations Revealed
The cave has attracted archaeological interest since the 1860s, when Victorian antiquarians first dug into its floor.
Those early excavations uncovered a human skull fragment four feet below the surface, another human bone at seven feet down, and water-rolled pebbles pointing to ancient geological activity.
As digging continued through the layers, the picture became richer and more complex.
Animal bones turned up belonging to fox, wildcat, pig, red deer, wild boar, horse, cattle, and elk.
Scattered charcoal, burnt sticks, and ash suggested the cave had served as a shelter during multiple periods of occupation.
Remarkably, charcoal was found even beneath a layer of stalagmite, proving that people were lighting fires here long before those mineral deposits formed over the cave floor.
Other finds added further layers to the story.
There was a fragment of ancient pottery, a Roman coin from the reign of Emperor Domitian, part of an axe, and two stone tools similar to those found in other early British bone caves.
Some of the animal bones showed clear signs of having been cut or shaped by human hands.
Perhaps most striking was a pig’s metatarsal bone that had been carefully fashioned into a whistle — identified as such by the Victorian scientist Professor Busk.
An Ice Age Discovery Beneath the Floor
The most significant prehistoric finds came a century after those early Victorian digs.
When archaeologists excavated beneath the cave’s stalagmite floor, they found at least ten flint tools buried in layered silt and clay.
The shape of these flints pointed to the late Upper Palaeolithic — the final stage of the Old Stone Age.
Confirmation came from an antler found just above them, belonging to a Megaloceros, the giant Irish elk that once roamed Britain and has long been extinct.
Radiocarbon dating placed that antler at around 10,700 years ago.
That date is remarkable. It tells us that hunter-gatherers were sheltering in Kirkhead Cave just as Britain was waking up from the last Ice Age, venturing north into a landscape that had only recently been freed from glaciers.
Protected for the Future
More flint tools were later recovered from debris outside the cave entrance, and archaeologists believe further prehistoric material is likely still waiting to be found.
To protect whatever remains, the floor and entrance area were covered with a layer of rock chippings in 1989.
In that same year, Kirkhead Cave was designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument — one of the highest levels of legal protection available for any archaeological site in England.
Kirkhead is not alone in this area. The caves around Kents Bank, including those in Blenkett Wood, have all produced bones and artefacts that help piece together the story of South Cumbria‘s earliest inhabitants.
Researchers continue to study and debate the finer details, but the broad picture is clear: this quiet corner of the Lake District fringe was home to some of the first people to return to Britain after the Ice Age.
Visit Kirkhead Cave from Kents Bank
For those keen to explore this extraordinary site, Kirkhead Cave is within easy reach of Kents Bank near Grange-over-Sands. Staying locally allows visitors to enjoy both the coast and the remarkable archaeology of the surrounding area.
Staying at Kents Bank Holiday Cottage puts you within easy reach of this fascinating landscape.
Whether you are drawn by the geology, the prehistoric history, or simply the beauty of the limestone hills above Morecambe Bay, there is far more to discover here than most visitors ever expect.
Lothlorien Holiday Cottage in Kents Bank offers an ideal base for anyone wishing to discover Kirkhead Cave and delve into the deep history of the Lake District.
If you are interested in staying at Lothlorien in Kents Bank, Grange-over-Sands, TEL: 07785944194 or enquire here.
How to Book Lothlorien Holiday Cottage
Booking Lothlorien Holiday Cottage is quick and simple. Just visit our website at kentsbankholiday.co.uk or give us a call on 07785944194. We’re always happy to answer your questions and help you find the perfect dates for your stay. Our friendly team makes the whole process easy, so you can focus on looking forward to your relaxing holiday in the Lake District.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is Kirkhead Cave, and why is it significant?
Kirkhead Cave is one of only three known Palaeolithic caves in Cumbria, located near Grange-over-Sands. It is nationally important due to archaeological discoveries, including the oldest known human bone found in northern Britain, dating back over 10,000 years.
2. What discoveries have been made at Kirkhead Cave?
Archaeologists have found a human leg bone fragment, bones of animals like elk and cattle, and evidence of tool use. These finds date to the end of the last Ice Age and suggest that humans lived or sheltered here during that time.
3. Can the public visit Kirkhead Cave?
The cave is on private land, and public access is not guaranteed. Visitors should always seek permission from the landowner before approaching the site.
4. What is the current status of Kirkhead Cave and its surroundings?
As of 2023, the land, including Kirkhead Cave and the surrounding woodland, was put up for sale. The area is considered of archaeological and historical interest.
5. Is Kirkhead Cave connected to Kirkhead Tower?
Yes, both Kirkhead Cave and Kirkhead Tower are located on Kirkhead Hill. While the tower is a 19th-century structure, the cave has much older roots, dating back to the Ice Age. Together, they make the hill an interesting mix of natural and historical heritage.
Further Reading
If this subject has caught your interest, Cumbria Rocks by geologist Ian Jackson is well worth seeking out. It guides readers through 60 remarkable geological sites across the county, connecting 500 million years of rock formation to the wildlife, history, and culture of the region.
Cumbria Rocks by Ian Jackson.
Cumbria Rocks is a beautifully illustrated guide that unveils the geological wonders of Cumbria through 60 remarkable sites. Authored by geologist Ian Jackson, the book journeys across 500 million years of Earth’s history, connecting the county’s diverse rock formations to its wildlife, history, economy, and culture.
To purchase Cumbria Rocks, click here.
Defined by Stones is a beautifully illustrated book by Ian Jackson that explores 50 rocky places in Northern England and the ways they shaped prehistoric life. It offers an engaging, accessible look at how stone influenced early people’s shelter, tools, beliefs, and daily survival.
To purchase the Defined by Stones click here
