Cathedral Caves, Cake and a Cycle

Gabriel had already had a taste of adventure at the Cathedral Caves earlier in the week, thanks to attending an activity week in Windermere. He came home full of stories about exploring the caves with his group, and he couldn’t wait to take me there himself. The leaders had even brought along tealight candles to light up the dark stretch of the caves they had to walk through. Gabriel was eager to recreate the magic, so we decided to mountain bike there together over the weekend, for our own adventure.

Setting Off

As we wound through the beautiful Lake District trails, he told me all about the different activities they had done that week—rock climbing, kayaking, and of course, their adventure in the Cathedral Caves.

Gabriel was excited to be the guide this time, and I could see how much he loved sharing this experience with me. The ride was a mix of challenging hills and easy-going sections, all with stunning views. As soon as we arrived at the caves we parked our bikes, Gabriel took me straight to the entrance he knew so well.

Into the Cathedral Caves

As we stepped inside, Gabriel’s enthusiasm was contagious. He led me through the dark passage, pointing out where they had used the candles earlier in the week. “This bit was so dark, Mum, but we had little candles to see!” he said, clearly reliving the excitement of his school trip. Even without the candles, the caves were incredible—huge, open spaces with towering walls and light filtering in from cracks above, creating an almost magical atmosphere.

Gabriel guided me through the various tunnels and chambers, his energy never fading. We explored every corner, and I could see why the caves had made such an impression on him. The Cathedral Caves are a hidden wonder, tucked away in the Lake District, and they felt like a reward at the end of our ride.

The Sweetest Pit Stop

After leaving the caves, we started the ride back to the car, tired but happy. That’s when we stumbled across the treat of the day—a little cottage by the side of the path, with an honesty box selling homemade cakes and flapjacks. It couldn’t have come at a better time! We stopped for a much-needed treat, each taking a piece of cake and sitting on a nearby stone wall to enjoy it.

As we ate, we joked about how it was "fuel for the hills ahead." And he wasn’t wrong—right after our sweet break, we faced a steep climb that left us both puffing and pedalling hard. But with our cake-fueled energy, we made it up.

Beating the Rain

The sky had started to darken as we neared the car, and I could feel the first few drops of rain. “Quick, Gabriel, race to the car before the rain gets us!” I shouted, and we both picked up the pace, pedalling as fast as we could. We made it back just in time, hopping off our bikes and throwing our gear into the car right before the heavens opened.

The rain came down hard, but we were safe and dry inside the car, laughing at our perfect timing. Gabriel looked over at me, grinning. “Mum, that was brilliant!” he said. And he was right—it had been a day full of adventure, laughter, and just a little bit of luck with the weather.

Conclusion: An Adventure to Remember

Mountain biking to Cathedral Caves wasn’t just about the destination—it was about sharing an experience that Gabriel had loved, making new memories together, and finding unexpected joys along the way (like a cake stop in the middle of nowhere!). From exploring the magical caves to racing the rain back to the car, it was a perfect day out in the Lake District.

And as I sat there in the car, listening to the rain pelting down, I couldn’t help but smile, already thinking about our next adventure.