Little Langdale: Discover its trails and slate history

Little Langdale is a green valley shaped by pastureland. At the same time, subtle traces of 18th-century slate mining are part of the landscape. If you are planning a stay here, you can explore the valley’s trails and historical evidence as distinct highlights. The trails described lead to different destinations; the historical notes range from a disused quarry to individual buildings and mining sites.

Trails and different destinations

Little Langdale has public footpaths at lower elevations with views of the surrounding landscape. One specific National Trust walking route runs from Elterwater to Cathedral Quarry and is 3.04 km long. From this route, you can see Little Langdale Tarn and the surrounding fells. It therefore combines a named route with two clearly identified landscape views.

Another destination is the bridleway “High Tilberthwaite to Little Langdale Ford and Slater Bridge”: it passes through spoil heaps and old quarries at Tilberthwaite and Hodge Close, continuing to Little Langdale Ford and Slater Bridge. It is 3 km each way. The Elterwater route is listed as 3.04 km long. These figures refer to different routes, which also have different destinations and landscape highlights.

Cathedral Quarry and traces of slate mining

Cathedral Quarry is a disused slate quarry that Beatrix Potter gave to the National Trust. It is also known as Little Langdale slate quarry. Its features include a large main chamber and a single natural stone pillar. At this site, the history of mining meets a striking natural formation.

The facilities available on site are also important when planning your visit: there are no facilities at Cathedral Quarry or its car parks. This includes toilets, a café and rubbish bins. Bear this in mind when making your preparations.

Remains of copper-mining facilities can also be found at Greenburn Mine in Little Langdale. Together with the traces of slate mining, they offer distinct, tangible points of reference for the valley’s mining history. The Roman road that ran through Little Langdale provides another historical perspective on the area: its route led from Hardknott Fort in Eskdale to Galava near Ambleside.

Buildings and historical features

The Farm Buildings at Fell Foot lie at the foot of Wrynose Pass. Their north wing dates from the 16th century, and the main building from the 17th century. The two periods of construction can thus be clearly distinguished. The Bield has a 17th-century timber-framed window with a central mullion, as well as a cupboard and a panelled partition, both dated to 1714.

Other buildings show different combinations of architectural form and materials. Birk Howe Farmhouse is a whitewashed, two-storey stone building dating from the 17th century, with a slate roof and a large chimney. Dale End, with its adjoining barn, is a whitewashed 18th-century building; its stone barn is built into the hillside. These examples have distinct architectural details and dates, without being reduced to a single building history.

Behind Fell Foot Farm is a gently sloping hillock known as a “ting mound.” This name introduces another historical point of reference in Little Langdale. Along with the Roman road, buildings and mining remains, it contributes to a picture in which the valley trails and local historical evidence offer different points of interest for your trip.

Discover more destinations: Kirkby Stephen, Great Clifton, Backbarrow, Sedgwick, Carlisle, Haverthwaite, Soulby, Millom

For the main travel overview: Cumbria.