Wetheral Caves

The River Eden cuts through red sandstone cliffs just outside Carlisle, and carved into those cliffs are three caves that have been drawing curious visitors for centuries. Wetheral Caves sit on the riverbank near the village of Wetheral, and they're genuinely atmospheric - especially if you time it right and the light's hitting the rock face properly.

What you're looking at are hand-carved chambers, likely medieval, though the exact history's a bit murky. One theory suggests monks used them, another that they were simply quarried for stone. Either way, they're real, they're old, and they're free to explore. The walk down to them is pleasant enough, following the river, though it can be muddy after rain and the final approach involves some clambering over rocks.

History enthusiasts will find them worthwhile - there's something about standing in a space that's been here for 600-odd years that hits different. Kids might manage half an hour, maybe longer if they're the type who enjoy clambering about. Walkers doing the Eden Valley circuit will pass close by anyway, so it's worth the detour.

Allow forty minutes including the walk down and a proper look around. Free admission, no facilities at the site itself - you'll want to sort yourself out in Wetheral village or back in Carlisle. If you're camping at Englethwaite Hall or Eden Valley Glamping nearby, this makes a straightforward morning outing before heading elsewhere in the park.