Lacy’s Caves, Little Salkeld, near Penrith
What makes Lacy’s Caves and Long Meg and her Daughters one of the most fascinating days out near Penrith?
Lacy’s Caves and Long Meg and her Daughters make a memorable day out in the Eden Valley, combining dramatic red sandstone cliffs, ancient folklore and one of Britain’s most remarkable prehistoric monuments.
A gentle circular walk links the two, making it one of the most rewarding short walks near Penrith.
Exploring Lacy’s Caves seamlessly complements a visit to Long Meg and her daughters.
A delightful circular walk effortlessly connects the two, meandering around Kirkoswald to the north and Little Salkeld to the south.
Lacy’s Caves are five chambers carved into the red sandstone cliffs above the River Eden.
The sandstone is called Penrith sandstone and is around 275 million years old.
If you look at the sandstone with a magnifying glass, you can see many rounded grains of quartz with a red, iron-rich coating.
The caves are very popular among visiting tourists and walkers.
They were commissioned by Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Lacy, who lived at Salkeld Hall from 1790.
It is believed his servant (a military deserter or batman) was responsible for carving out the caves.
At that time, it was fashionable for wealthy landowners to have romantic ruins set within their estates.
It was built to entertain Lacy’s guests visiting nearby Salkeld Hall. It may have also been used as a wine store.
Lacy was famous for trying to blow up the stones of Long Meg Stone Circle.
Created in an age when it was fashionable to own a romantic ruin, these caves were originally surrounded by ornamental gardens.
Lacy even had a hermit in residence.
The red sandstone site is listed as a Regionally Important Geographical Site by Eden District Council.
Visit Lacy’s Caves, park in Little Salkeld, and head down a farm track that passes Town End Farm.
Fork right just after the farm, keeping the River Eden to your left.
You can also kayak from Langwathby, which will take you down the little waterfalls and towards the caves.
As mentioned earlier, a visit to Lacy’s Caves ties in perfectly with a trip to Britain’s third-largest stone circle, called Long Meg and her Daughters.
Long Meg and her Daughters are 107 metres in diameter and one of the largest stone circles in the country.
According to William Wordsworth, Long Meg and her Daughters are, next to Stonehenge, “beyond dispute the most notable relic that this, or probably any other country contains”.
Dating from around 1500 BC, the stone circle consists of 68 rhyolite boulders known as the Daughters.
Long Meg and her Daughters are 107 meters in diameter and one of the largest stone circles in the country.
Long Meg is a sandstone megalith and stands apart from the circle centre.
There is a tale that Meg may be named after a local witch, Meg of Meldon.
A legend tells that a coven of witches was turned to stone by Michael Scott, a Scottish wizard. If you can count the stones twice and get the same number, it is said they will live again.
The site probably dates back to around 1500 BC and was most likely created as part of some religious ritual.
As mentioned above, during the eighteenth century, a local landowner, Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Lacy, tried to blow up Long Meg with gunpowder so he could plough the field.
He failed, and the event was followed by a torrential thunderstorm, which locals took to mean Long Meg showing her displeasure.
A report by Durham University Archaeological Services in 2013, which surveyed the site, found evidence of hidden ditches and the possible remains of cairns or barrows in the area (something which had been identified back in the late sixteenth century.
One thing is for sure: this ancient site is well worth visiting.
Few places in Cumbria combine prehistoric mystery, folklore, riverside scenery and such an enjoyable walk quite like Lacy’s Caves and Long Meg and her Daughters.
Where to Stay
If you are looking for a pet-friendly Grange-over-Sands holiday cottage with easy access to Lacy’s caves, ring 07785944194 or enquire here.
How to Book Kents Bank Holiday Cottage
Booking Kents Bank 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.