The Fairy Steps by munki-boy
Fairy Steps
Fairy Steps is an interesting little place hidden away in a middle of the woods, just south of Milnthorpe in Cumbria.
The legend is that fairies used the steps to escape from a witches’ cauldron.
A climb up through the delightful limestone woodland will eventually, after a steady ascent, bring you to a wall of limestone. Just before this, bear left and then go round to the right to climb the narrow crevice that is Fairy Steps. It is a narrow squeeze. About a foot wide at one point! It is definitely worth the squeeze up the steps, as the view at the top is superb!
Folk-lore has it that if you can climb the steps without touching the sides you will see a fairy!
The path over Fairy Steps used to be known locally as the ‘Coffin Route’, as Arnside Parish had to carry their deceased to consecrated ground in Beetham. Several of the iron rings which ropes were threaded through, to pull the coffins up the rock face, are still visible today.
Fairy Steps is in Arnside & Silverdale AONB, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Created: 27 November 2016 Edited: 29 November 2023
Fairy Steps
Local History around Fairy Steps
There are some historic monuments around including:
Levens Park, round barrows and medieval settlements, including Temple of DianaRound cairn on Summerhouse HillBeetham Hall (curtain wall and uninhabited portion)Badger Hole, Warton CragArnside TowerCappleside Hall medieval lordly residence 600m north east of Beetham HouseRound cairn 230m east of Manor FarmPackhorse bridge at the Post OfficeHazelslack TowerHincaster Tunnel horse pathStone circle on Summerhouse HillDog Holes CaveLevens BridgeWarton Old RectoryRingwork in Dallam Park 380m south east of Dallam TowerWarton Crag small multivallate hillfortEarthwork 700yds (640m) N of Levens BridgeBasingill gunpowder works, 130m south of Force Bridge.
