Sitting with a torch in the Chapter House Waterfall

Yordas Cave, Kingsdale

An ex Victorian Show cave, this place is BEYOND spectacular inside! And a great little introduction to cave exploration.

Just make sure you pack a powerful torch, as no phone torch will touch the sides of this mahoosive cavern!

Yordas Cave is a great introduction to a classic Yorkshire Cave

JUST… because this cave is a stone’s throw from the border with Cumbria!

As an ex-Victorian show cave, this cavernous…. well, cave…. will take your breath away! Standing at 55 metres long and 15 metres wide, the main cavern is simply stonking. To put it in ‘Yorkshire’ tongue… it’s reyt MASSIVE.

Running through the middle is a beck. Usually a gentle stream you can expect to get your feet wet, but after heavy rain it can be an absolute raging torrent. Turn right after entering the cave and head to the far left hand corner and you’ll find the Chapter House, which is a little chamber and the home to a 25 foot cave waterfall.

You can see why the Victorians loved it right?

Having visited on a number of occasions, please be advised NOT to enter the cave after prolonged heavy rain. Whilst you can get in through the entrance, you will find what is more or less a lake. The water drains into a tiny outflow on the left hand side which becomes overwhelmed in flood and it is not advisable to even try to enter the water because of the currents at play and the fact it can reach up to 2 metres in depth. JUST DON’T ALRIGHT? That’s my mum voice right there!

In the right conditions? It’s a place of absolute wonder. Ooh and REMEMBER THE TORCH (don’t say I didn’t tell you… twice!)

The entrance to Yordas Cave
The Chapter House in Yordas Cave
Yordas cave in flood

What are the walk details for Yordas Cave?

Distance: Less than 1km. Yup, this one is one you can 100% call an adventure rather than a walk!

Terrain: Grassy hill, muddy in parts. Rocky cave that is uneven underfoot and obviously very dark! Headtorch/ Torch required to fully explore the cave. You will need sturdy footwear and probably wellies are best for kids as they will get wet feet.

Parking: Verge-side, outside Yordas Cave. This cave is located on public access land where you have the right to roam. Whilst it is privately owned by the nearby farm, you are able to freely explore. Permission is not required BUT be respectful of the land, any livestock, signage and when parking do not block access. LEAVE NO TRACE! Follow the Countryside Code and don’t ruin it for everybody else. ‘l’ll set the kids on your otherwise and they don’t sleep…..’

Public Transport: Nope sorry, it’s in the absolute back end of nowhere! But you can get to Ingleton, which is simply marvellous (still a bit of a trek to Yordas though)

Dog friendly: Yes, be respectful of any signage regarding livestock as there are regularly sheep grazing in the area around the cave.

Location: Kingsdale, near Thornton in Lonsdale near Ingleton.

Map: OS explorer OLO2 Yorkshire Dales Southern and Western

What 3 Words: dabbled.suspends.hopeless

Toilets/ Baby Change: No

Nearest Cafe/ Amenities: Thornton in Lonsdale/ Ingleton

Shining a torch into Yordas Cave

How to get to Yordas Cave

Directions to Yordas Cave

  1. Head to the What 3 Words location. You will see a gate into a field, with a gully/ dip in the middle. Head into this.

  2. Head up the right hand side of the gully aiming towards a further gate ahead entering into a rocky clearing. On the left hand side you will see the remains of the Victorian steps which enter the old show cave.

  3. You’re there! Be aware that after heavy rain, the lake/ river in the cave can reach depths of around 2m, as the water funnels into the narrow exits to the left. Do not enter in these conditions.

  4. In dryer weather, you can explore the extent of the old Victorian show cave with a strong headtorch/ torch. As you enter the cave, turn right and walk to the waterfall in the chamber on the right called the Chapter House you will hear it before you see it.

  5. You can explore the rest of the area, but be aware of sharp drops There are entrances into the cave above it, but do not enter unless properly experienced.

Last walked January 2023

Helpful Information!

⭐ We hope you enjoy our walks, but please exercise common sense as routes can change with the weather conditions and seasons! The routes have been walked by our own two feet, but you know your own limits. Always take a back-up map, don’t rely on GPS alone, wear appropriate clothing for the weather and take adequate snacks and refreshments with you (although as a parent, I know you already know that bit!)

⭐ Leave no trace! Take nothing away and leave nothing behind, take all rubbish home with you.

⭐ Caves can be dangerous. We do not enter without being properly prepared, and do not go anywhere that requires scrambling, crawling, or climbing. Caves can flood unexpectedly.

Scrambling around the back of Yordas Cave
Exploring the walls of Yordas Cave

What’s cool for kids on this walk?

✨ Should I geek out about limestone? I’M GONNA GEEK OUT ABOUT LIMESTONE! The Yorkshire Dales is cave country and Yordas is no exception. Yordas (like many other caves in the Dales) looks as though it was blasted or man-made (a bit like the quarries of the Lakes) but it is entirely natural (look at Scoska Cave, the entrance is very similar, but natural as well). As with most of the caves in the Dales, it was formed by water, purely because limestone is soluble and therefore erodible. You are standing in a geological marvel.

👻 Yordas Cave or Yorda’s Cave is reportedly named after a Norse Giant, who lived there. It was also said to be the inspiration for Charlotte Bronte’s ‘Fairy Cave’ from Jayne Eyre, after she paid a visit herself. But if you aren’t swung by the Giant legend, then what about a ghost army? Kingsdale where Yordas is located is reportedly haunted by a ghostly army which pours from the steeply scarred hillsides. I mean if you aren’t picturing that scene from Lord of the Rings right now…… If you want to find out more about the Folklore and Legends of the Yorkshire Dales, head to the blog!

🍔 The Marton Arms is a family friendly pub located in Thornton in Lonsdale and is a 10 minute drive away. It serves top pub grub!

🌳 This is short and most of your walk will be exploring the cave (provided it hasn’t been raining too heavily!) Take your torch and make sure you bring some for the kids. If my two are exploring with a torch, then it is FAR more fun! And in this case absolutely essential as you will not get very far without it!

Let’s talk Caves…

There are a fair few in the Yorkshire Dales which are on access land AND they are easy to walk in and out of.

If they aren’t either of the above then you will need to gain permission from the landowner and you will need some experience in caving.

Here’s another of our walks where the cave is on access land, and it’s easy to get in and out of.

Scoska Cave! (Please note that we do not go in any further than the entrance without proper equipment)

Scroll using the arrows for all our Family Friendly Walks

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