The Amazing Story of Millican Dalton: The Caveman of Borrowdale
Searching for Millican Dalton’s cave on Castle Crag?
You’re looking for the home of one of the Lake District‘s most fascinating characters. Millican Dalton, often called the caveman of Borrowdale or the Professor of Adventure, lived one of the most unusual lives in the region.
Born in Nenthead, near Alston in Cumberland, on 20 April 1867, he came from strong Quaker roots.
His father, William Dalton, worked as a smelt mill agent for the London Lead Company, while his mother, Frances, came from the local Millican family in Alston.
The London Lead Company, also known as The Quaker Company, mined in the Cumberland hills on the border with Durham and Northumberland.
From office clerk to outdoor adventurer
Millican spent his early years in the north of England before his family moved to Essex. As a young man he worked in London as an insurance clerk and lived in a cottage in Loughton.
By the age of 36, he had had enough of city life. He gave up his job, turned his back on the office, and headed to Borrowdale in the Lake District. There, he chose to live in a cave on the side of Castle Crag.
Decades ahead of his time, Millican was a vegetarian, pacifist and teetotaller. He lived simply, earned a modest income as a climbing and camping guide, and spent most of his time outdoors in the Borrowdale valley.
Life in Dalton’s Cave, Borrowdale
Millican’s home, now known locally as Dalton’s Cave, sits on the east face of Castle Crag. The cave is actually two linked, split-level chambers left behind from the old slate quarrying industry.
Millican made this unusual dwelling his summer home for almost fifty years, returning to the south of England in the winter.
Today, visitors can still see signs of his time there. In the upper chamber of the cave he scratched his own short epitaph into the rock:
“Don’t Waste Words, Jump to Conclusions.”
Walkers who climb Castle Crag and explore Dalton’s Cave can stand where he once slept, cooked and told stories by the fire. It is a fascinating stop on a Borrowdale walk and a must‑see for anyone interested in Lake District history and outdoor life.
A local character and media favourite
Local residents in nearby Keswick soon became aware of the man living in a cave above the valley. His unusual lifestyle caught their imagination, and before long the newspapers wanted to know more.
Millican did not hide from the attention. In fact, he seemed to enjoy telling his story and sharing his ideas.
Over the years he featured in many articles, and he gained national publicity in January 1941 when he appeared on page 7 of the Daily Mirror.
Campfires, conversation and solitude
During his camping trips and guided holidays, Millican loved long campfire conversations.
He talked freely about the big questions of the day and was always ready with an opinion.
Many visitors later spoke about the sense of peace and calm they felt after spending time with him in Borrowdale.
Although he welcomed guests, he also valued solitude in his cave and felt deeply connected to the nature around him. In a 1941 newspaper interview he explained:
“Well, I don’t sleep much, and while I am awake I lie and listen and think. There’s a lot to think about just now, isn’t there?
All the sounds of the nights, the roar of the mountain stream, the barking of our dogs and foxes, the cries of birds, how can I be lonely with such company?”
These few lines capture why Millican Dalton still fascinates people who love the Lake District today.
Visiting Dalton’s Cave and nearby attractions
If you would like to follow in Millican Dalton’s footsteps, you can walk up Castle Crag from Borrowdale and explore Dalton’s Cave for yourself.
Good walking boots and care on the path are essential, as some sections can be tricky.
While you are in the area, another fascinating place to explore is the famous Bowder Stone, a huge boulder balanced above the valley floor.
Guests staying at Lothlorien are welcome to use the free Wi‑Fi to plan their route and check current walking information for Borrowdale and Keswick.
Stay in a Lake District holiday cottage
If you are looking for a Lake District holiday cottage with easy access to Borrowdale, our cottage is an ideal base.
You can enjoy day trips to Keswick, walks to Castle Crag and Dalton’s Cave, and relaxing evenings back at your home from home.
To check dates and availability, ring 07785944194 or Contact us here today.
How to Book Kents Bank Holiday Cottage
Booking Kents Bank Holiday Cottage takes just minutes. Simply visit our website at kentsbankholiday.co.uk or call us on 07785944194.
Our friendly team answers your questions and helps you find the perfect dates for your Lake District holiday. We make the booking process easy, so you can focus on planning your relaxing getaway.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1) Who was Millican Dalton and why did he live in a cave?
Millican Dalton (1867-1947), known as the “Caveman of Borrowdale” or “Professor of Adventure,” was a former London insurance clerk who abandoned conventional life at age 36 to live in a cave on Castle Crag in Borrowdale. Born in Nenthead, Cumberland to a Quaker family, Millican rejected city life and chose to live simply in nature. He was a vegetarian, pacifist, and teetotaler—values that were decades ahead of his time. He earned a modest income as a climbing and camping guide while spending nearly fifty years living in his cave during summer months, returning to southern England each winter.
2) Can I visit Millican Dalton’s Cave today?
Yes! Dalton’s Cave on the east face of Castle Crag is accessible to walkers and remains a popular attraction in Borrowdale. The cave consists of two linked, split-level chambers left from old slate quarrying. Visitors can see Millican’s carved epitaph in the upper chamber: “Don’t Waste Words, Jump to Conclusions.” To reach the cave, you’ll need good walking boots as some sections of the path can be tricky. The cave is a fascinating stop for anyone interested in Lake District history and makes an excellent addition to a Castle Crag walk from Borrowdale.
3) What was Millican Dalton’s daily life like in the cave?
Millican lived simply in his cave home, cooking over fires, sleeping on basic bedding, and spending most of his time outdoors. He worked as a climbing and camping guide, leading visitors on outdoor adventures and hosting long campfire conversations about philosophy and current events. He deeply valued both human connection and solitude, listening to nature’s sounds at night—mountain streams, foxes barking, and birds crying. In a 1941 interview, he explained he rarely felt lonely because of the natural “company” around him. His lifestyle attracted considerable media attention, and he appeared in numerous newspaper articles, including the Daily Mirror in 1941.
4) Where is Dalton’s Cave located and what else is nearby?
Dalton’s Cave is located on the east face of Castle Crag in the Borrowdale valley, near Keswick in the Lake District. The cave site is part of the popular Castle Crag walk, which offers stunning views of the surrounding fells. Nearby attractions include the famous Bowder Stone—a massive boulder balanced above the valley floor—and the picturesque Borrowdale valley itself with its ancient woodlands and dramatic scenery. The area is easily accessible from Keswick and makes an excellent day trip for those staying in the Lake District, including guests at accommodations like Kents Bank Holiday Cottage.
5) What made Millican Dalton famous and why is he still remembered today?
Millican Dalton became famous for his unconventional lifestyle choice to abandon a comfortable London career and live in a cave. His vegetarian, pacifist, and environmentally conscious values were remarkably progressive for the early 20th century. He embraced media attention and freely shared his philosophy through newspaper interviews, gaining national recognition. Today, he’s remembered as an early pioneer of simple living, outdoor adventure, and rejecting materialism—values that resonate strongly with modern outdoor enthusiasts and those seeking alternative lifestyles. His carved epitaph and the cave itself serve as lasting reminders of this fascinating Lake District character who chose nature over convention.
5 Key Takeaways: Millican Dalton – The Caveman of Borrowdale
- From London Insurance Clerk to Cave Dweller
Born in Nenthead, Cumberland in 1867, Millican Dalton worked as an insurance clerk in London before abandoning city life at age 36. He moved to Borrowdale in the Lake District and chose to live in a cave on Castle Crag’s east face, spending nearly fifty years there as his summer home while returning south each winter. - The “Professor of Adventure” Philosophy
Decades ahead of his time, Millican was a vegetarian, pacifist, and teetotaler who rejected conventional society. He earned a modest income as a climbing and camping guide, lived simply, and valued nature and solitude. His personal epitaph carved into the cave wall reads: “Don’t Waste Words, Jump to Conclusions.” - A Home Carved by Industry
Dalton’s Cave consists of two linked, split-level chambers left behind from the old slate quarrying industry on Castle Crag. For nearly half a century, Millican made this unusual dwelling his home, where he slept, cooked, told stories by the fire, and listened to the sounds of nature throughout the night. - Media Celebrity of His Era
Despite living in a cave, Millican embraced media attention and enjoyed sharing his unconventional lifestyle and ideas. He featured in numerous newspaper articles over the years and gained national publicity in January 1941 when he appeared on page 7 of the Daily Mirror, becoming a well-known character in Keswick and beyond. - A Lasting Lake District Legacy
Today, walkers can still visit Dalton’s Cave on Castle Crag and see where Millican lived, including his carved epitaph. The cave remains a popular stop on Borrowdale walks and a must-see for anyone interested in Lake District history, outdoor life, and the story of this remarkable man who chose nature over conventional society.
Updated: May 4th 2026