Lacy's Caves

Little Salkeld, Penrith

Lacy's Caves consist of five chambers carved out of the sandstone cliffs directly above the River Eden at Glassonby just to the north of Little Salkeld. The caves were commissioned in the eighteenth century by Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Lacy (infamous for once attempting to blow up the stones of Long Meg).  He lived in nearby Salkeld Hall.

The caves were used by Colonel Lacy as a romantic folly for entertaining his guests.  The area was originally planted with ornamental gardens, containing colourful rhododendrons, some of which still survive.