Leck Beck Head Catchment Area

Leck Beck Head Catchment Area is a protected natural site covering roughly 692 hectares of open moorland with rough grass and sparse trees. Below the surface lies a major cave system stretching beneath Leck Fell, where surface water enters through sinkholes and travels underground.

The area received formal protection as a Site of Special Scientific Interest in 1986. This designation was a key moment in safeguarding the natural habitats of the region for future generations.

The landscape shows straight stone walls built in the late 1700s and 1800s that reflect traditional farming methods used across these moorlands. These walls remain visible today and show how people have shaped this land over many generations.

The site is exposed moorland with changeable weather, so visitors should prepare for windy and wet conditions with proper clothing and sturdy footwear. Access to the cave systems underground is restricted and requires permits obtained in advance.

The area contains about fourteen major sinkholes that act like natural drains, pulling surface water into underground networks below. These openings show how water vanishes beneath the landscape and reappears elsewhere.