Lacy's Caves and Long Meg from Little Salkeld
Cumbria
Long Meg and her Daughters is a Bronze Age stone circle of around 70 stones with Long Meg herself, a 12 foot pillar of red sandstone, standing just outside the ring. Dogs are best kept on a lead here, since cattle and sheep graze the surrounding farmland and the riverside path near Lacy's Caves has sheer, unfenced drops. Lacy's Caves are five chambers cut into a red sandstone cliff above the River Eden on the orders of Colonel Samuel Lacy in the 18th century, as a romantic folly for his estate, where he is said to have employed a hermit to impress his guests. The 7.6km loop leaves Little Salkeld on a quiet lane and farm track to the stone circle, crosses farmland to Daleraven Bridge, then follows a woodland path back along the Eden to the caves and past the old Long Meg mine to the village. Climbing is gentle, with one short rise near the start.
This is a dog friendly walk with plenty of interest for a curious dog, but it needs care. The farmland around Long Meg and the tracks between the farms carry cattle and sheep, so dogs should be on a lead for much of the first half. The woodland path along the Eden is shadier and livestock free, but it runs close to sheer drops near the caves, with washed-out sections and slippery boardwalks, so keep dogs close there too. The river is fast and deep in places, so it is not a safe swim. Parking in Little Salkeld is limited and free.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 7.6 km (4.7 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 2 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Historic, River, Woodland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- No toilets or cafe on route; pubs nearby at Langwathby and Culgaith, and more choice in Penrith.
- Parking
- Small free parking area in Little Salkeld village; limited spaces.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Lacy's Caves and Long Meg from Little Salkeld, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in CumbriaFrequently Asked Questions
Is Lacy's Caves and Long Meg from Little Salkeld dog friendly?
This 7.6km loop through the Eden Valley is a good choice for dogs, earning a 7/10 dog-friendly rating. There's a lovely woodland path along the River Eden, plenty of interesting terrain, and free parking in Little Salkeld to start you off. That said, it does require care in places, so it suits owners who are happy to keep their dog on a lead for stretches of the route.
Can dogs be off lead at Lacy's Caves and Long Meg from Little Salkeld?
Off-lead time is fairly limited on this walk. The farmland around Long Meg and the tracks between farms carry cattle and sheep, so leads are essential for much of the first half, and the woodland path near Lacy's Caves runs close to sheer, unfenced drops above the River Eden where you'll want dogs close to you too. The woodland section is livestock-free, which gives a little more breathing room, but this is largely a lead-on walk.
What should I know before visiting Lacy's Caves and Long Meg from Little Salkeld with my dog?
A few things are worth keeping in mind before you head out. The riverside path near Lacy's Caves has washed-out sections and slippery boardwalks, and the River Eden runs fast and deep in places — not a safe swim for dogs. There are no toilets or cafes on the route itself, though pubs can be found nearby in Langwathby and Culgaith, with more options in Penrith. Parking in Little Salkeld is free but limited, so an early arrival helps.
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