Millican Dalton on the water (Image: Tom Kay) Share your email to get the latest property news More Newsletters Subscribe Please enter a valid email Something went wrong, please try again later. More Newsletters We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info Thank you for subscribing! We have more newsletters Show me See Our Privacy Notice See Our Privacy Notice × Group 28 Share your email to get the latest property news Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign Up No thanks, close We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info × Group 28 Thank you for subscribing! We have more newsletters Show Me No thanks, close See our Privacy Notice A mysterious cave tucked away in the rolling hills of the Lake District was home to a
London man for nearly 40 years. The cavern, located in Borrowdale, might not catch your eye if you were on a hike in the national park. But it has an intriguing past as the home of a man who fled the big city to set up in the countryside in the late 1800s - and loved his rural life so much that he stayed there for four decades. Millican Dalton was born into a Quaker family in 1867 and moved to London with his family aged seven after his father passed away. As a young man, he found work as an insurance clerk but became disenchanted with city living. Read More Related Articles 'I jumped on the DNA testing bandwagon with my dad - it destroyed our family' Read More Related Articles Pensioner has spent 30 years living in converted lorry and spends just £25 a week An avid cyclist, climber, and camper, he yearned for adventure and a simpler life in the country and moved to Loughton in Buckinghamshire when he was 36, reports Lancs Live . At first, he lived in a cottage before finding his true calling - the great outdoors. He moved into a wooden shack in the garden, spending the winter months there while camping in the Lake District during the summer. In the 1920s, he chose to make the Lake District his permanent residence, moving into an abandoned split-level quarried cave in Borrowdale. The self-proclaimed 'Professor of Adventure' lived a happy and modest life in the cave, situated on the eastern side of Castle Crag, near Borrowdale and Derwentwater, for four decades. Millican Dalton's Cave (Image: WIki) Self-sufficient Millican baked his own bread and stitched his own clothes. He was known in the area for his unusual clothing, Tyrolean hat, and love of dark coffee and Woodbines cigarettes. He also pioneered the creation of light-weight camping gear. Although he may have seemed to live a reclusive life, he was extremely outgoing. As well as maintaining an adventurous streak as a climbing and walking guide, Millican also hosted camping tours to showcase the breathtaking views and diverse landscapes of the area. In 1941, a 73-year-old Millican spoke to a local newspaper about how at peace he was with nature. He said: "I don't sleep much, and while I am awake I lie and listen and think. There's a lot to think about just now, isn't there? "All the sounds of the nights, the roar of the mountain stream, the barking of our dogs and foxes, the cries of birds, how can I be lonely with such company?" The view from the top of Castle Crag (Image: TripAdvisor) Interestingly, Millican Dalton's Cave comprises two split-level caves naturally fashioned during the slate quarry period. A vegetarian, teetotaler, pacifist, and respected gentleman, Millican created various rooms in his 'Cave Hotel', including a bedroom and living room. Although his hidden spot seems far away from the outside world, its proximity to fresh water and shelter from the elements clearly appealed to Millican. You can still see his message on the cave walls that says "Don't waste worrds (sic), jump to conclusions". Throughout his near-40 years in the cave, it was only during extreme weather that he left his home to spend some time in a nearby hut. Keswick, the closest town to the site, is now known as the 'Adventure Capital of the Lakes' in honour of Millican and his unusual abode. Sadly, Millican passed away in hospital in February 1947 at 79 years old after getting pneumonia. There's a blue plaque for him on his old house in Loughton. The inscription inside the cave (Image: Wiki) If you want to visit Millican Dalton's Cave: Start at Rosthwaite Village and follow the river path towards Derwentwater, up to Castle Crag. The cave is on the way, high up with great views. But be careful, this walk is not easy and can be dangerous. You need good shoes and clothes for the weather. Join the Daily Record
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