Dog Holes Cave

Dog Holes Cave is a small limestone cave on the side of Warton Crag in Lancashire, roughly two miles north of Carnforth and within easy reach of Lancaster. It is a protected archaeological site (Historic England Scheduled Monument 1005108) rather than a developed visitor attraction, and it suits walkers who like their hill views with a side of prehistory.

What is Dog Holes Cave?

The cave opens in the crag that rises above Morecambe Bay. The hill sits inside the Arnside & Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and Warton Crag itself is a nature reserve looked after by Lancashire Wildlife Trust. Do not confuse it with Dog Hole Cave near Storth in Cumbria, which is a different site.

Why does it matter to archaeologists?

In the early twentieth century J. W. Jackson, a curator at Manchester Museum, dug here for several seasons and published his results in the Transactions of the Lancashire and Cheshire Antiquarian Society, starting with a report in 1909. The cave yielded human bones from at least fifteen people, most of them thought to be Neolithic.

Finds listed in cave-burial catalogues include a polished stone axe from the Group 4 source, Later Neolithic and Beaker pottery, and a chert scraper. Bone pins, a bone piercer and a weaving comb are attributed to the Iron Age, while Roman-period material includes pottery sherds, iron knives, whetstones and a brooch set with an engraved gem. Lumps of iron slag hint at small-scale smelting. Put together, the evidence points to repeated use over several thousand years.

The objects are held in museum collections and are not displayed at the cave. For regional archaeology, Lancaster City Museum is the natural stop.

How do you get there?

Drive to Warton or Carnforth and continue on foot along the paths up Warton Crag. Carnforth railway station has trains to Lancaster, and the walk from the town is a few miles. The summit, at about 163 metres, has a stone beacon and the remains of an Iron Age hillfort, with views across the bay to the Lake District fells. Paths are numerous and the slopes steep, so carry a map or route app.

When should you go?

Spring and early summer are best, when the limestone slopes are in flower and the reserve is known for butterflies. Rock and paths turn slippery after rain. Long summer days leave time to add Silverdale or Arnside to the outing.

Frequently asked questions

Can I go inside the cave? It is a legally protected monument, so digging, collecting or disturbing anything is forbidden. Exploring caves alone carries real risk, so most visitors admire the setting from outside.

Is it the same as Badger Hole? No. Badger Hole is a separate cave on the same hill with its own finds, while Dog Holes has its own entry in the monument register.

Is there an entry fee? No. Warton Crag is open access nature reserve land, and walking there needs no ticket.

Where can I see the finds? Excavated material went to museums, including in Manchester. Lancaster City Museum gives the regional background.