Hodge Close Quarry, Banishead Quarry and Coniston Coppermines Walks
All within easy reach of Coniston Village, these three quarry walks around Coniston take in the area’s natural beauty and mining history.
1. Hodge Close Quarry and Cathedral Cavern Walk
While you can drive to the car park next to the quarry, the walk up from the car park off the A593 introduces you to fabulous views across to Wetherlam and the Eastern Fells.
The trail meanders up a narrow road along Yewdale Beck, before veering off to the right onto a more rugged, wooded path that follows an old stone wall. As you climb higher, stunning views of Wetherlam open up. This route is much quieter than the more popular Hodge Close Trail.
Hodge Close is a disused quarry perched on the north‑west edge of the Coniston Fells in the Tilberthwaite Valley. The walk is perfect for anyone who is fascinated by geology and enjoys a quiet woodland walk.
The old qarry (quarry) once supplied slate for roofs across the Lake District, and remnants of a small slate mine are still visible near the base of the cliff. Although Hodge Close is a site known for diving, jumping and swimming, it is extremely dangerous and not advised.
Below the quarry, is a large cave, known as The Skull, which featured in The Witcher series, and on a calm day, there are fabulous reflections on the water.
Cathedral Cave
Continue along the path that runs from Hodge Close car park (with the quarry on your right), towards Stang End. After about a mile, you’ll reach the magnificent Cathedral Cavern in Langdale accessed by a dark tunnel. This main chamber is huge and looks spectacular as the sunlight pours in through a large opening.
2. Coniston Coppermines Walks
Few places in the Lake District capture the spirit of industrial heritage like the Coniston Copper Mines. This network of disused Coniston mines once supplied copper for the booming 19th‑century metalworking industry. Today, you can wander through tunnels, watch the rust‑coloured tailings and imagine the clatter of miners at work.
The YHA at Coniston Coppermines is the starting point for many walks, which lead you to several wonderful waterfalls, across a wooden bridge that spans a narrow gauge, and up to the iconic Old Man of Coniston.
Spend some time strolling among the Coppermines industrial relics, which include a rusted ore hopper, an old steam pump and the heritage waterwheel.
3. Banishead Quarry Walk
Approximately a mile’s walk from the quiet village of Torver, Banishead Quarry is a lesser‑known, disused quarry on the southern flank of the Coniston fells. This is one of the most beautiful Coniston walks, leading you through open meadows and past cascading falls that tumble into Torver Beck.
There are several free parking spots along the A593, close to the village. As you follow the footpath that winds up behind the bench on the bend before Torver, you’ll enjoy fantastic views of the Old Man of Coniston, Dow Crag and Buck Pike. On a clear day, you can even see across to the likes of Red Screes. High Street and Mardale Ill Bell.
Just before Banishead Quarry, you come to an old wooden bridge across Torver Beck. This is a great spot to watch the smaller falls gushing downstream. Just further along, you reach the quarry and the dramatic, manmade waterfall that thunders into the pool below. While it has become a popular spot for wild swimming in the Lake District, it is not allowed.
Follow the Countryside Code
When you’re visiting Coniston’s quarries and caverns, please respect the areas and follow the Countryside Code. Sady, there has been a huge increase in littering in these beauty spots so we should all play our part in keeping these places clean and protecting the ecosystems. Take only photographs and leave only footprints.
