Sandstone caves near Wetheral
Shrouded in legend and carved into the sandstone cliffs above the River Eden, the Wetheral Cells whisper stories from a time long forgotten.
Though any direct link to St. Constantine has been lost in the mists of time, Roman inscriptions in the vicinity hint at a much older past—perhaps even predating the Roman occupation itself. It’s believed that the Romans quarried stone from these very cliffs to build Hadrian’s Wall, leaving behind traces of their presence.
Their name comes from local legend that St. Constantine lived here as a hermit. Later, the monks of Wetheral Priory are thought to have transformed these ancient chambers into a place of refuge. Originally accessible only by ladder, the cells offered a secure sanctuary—ideal for hiding both monks and their treasures during times of peril.
Over the centuries, the soft sandstone walls have become a canvas for countless visitors. Among the most remarkable is an inscription from 1852 by William Mounsey, who walked the entire length of the River Eden—from his home in Rockcliffe to its source in Mallerstang. His carved message, a line in old Welsh from the songs of Llywarch Hen—a Welsh poet of the early 9th century—adds a poetic layer to the already rich tapestry of this enigmatic site.
