Beetham Fairy Steps In Cumbria - The Easiest Way To Visit (2026)!

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If you want a magical day out in Cumbria, I recommend walking to the Beetham Fairy Steps.

According to a local legend, if you walk up these steps without touching the sides you’ll get your wish granted by the fairies.

It’s not the easiest place to find as there’s no parking nearby but I managed to visit on a short walk in around 20-30 minutes.

In this post, I’ll share my exact route so you can visit this enchanting place without the hassle too.

Here is the easiest way to visit the Beetham Fairy Steps with simple hiking directions and top tips!

Important: these steps are located on private property. Please respect the area and only stick to public footpaths.

What are the Fairy Steps in Beetham?

The Fairy Steps is a set of manmade stairs in a limestone escarpment called Whin Scar on Beetham Fell.

Amazingly, this used to be part of a coffin route for pallbearers who used to transport their dead all the way from Arnside to St Michael & All Angels Parish Church in Beetham.

In 1866, Arnside used to form part of Beetham Parish and so this was the closest burial ground and place of worship for many residents.

On your way up the steps, you can still see the original iron rings that were used to pull the coffins up the steps.

As well as a coffin route, many locals took this route to attend services at Beetham Church.

Why are they called the Fairy Steps?

Eventually, the route was no longer used for coffins after St James’ Church was built in Arnside.

How these steps became the ‘Fairy Steps’ is unknown but the legend drew tourists to the area during the Victorian Era.

With the expansion of the railways in the North West, the Lake District and Cumbria saw an influx of day trippers.

The Victorians loved a good folktale and so many visited Beetham on the promise that they could get their wishes granted by the fairies.

Fairy Steps Legend

According to local legend, if you manage to walk up these magical steps without touching the sides then you may have your wish granted by the fae.

Sounds easy, right? Well, you’d be dead wrong!

It is a pretty much impossible task as the gorge is so narrow. The smallest gap is just over 30 centimetres wide.

The steps are also really uneven and slippy so you can’t easily traverse them without a bit of help from the sturdy stones at the sides.

But, that doesn’t stop thousands of people from trying every year.

I mean, it’s worth a go if it can make your wish come true, right? I guess you’ll just have to visit and attempt it for yourself.

Many say that if you’re gifted with the sight, you may also spot some of the fae folk skipping up the steps too.

Or, many say that the fae found here may be escaping a witch’s cauldron who cursed them!

Some say that if you visit at nightfall, you may encounter a demonic hound that promises imminent death if you stare straight into its eyes. Thankfully, I meet the beast on my visit at dusk.

Fairy wishes or no, I still recommend visiting these gorgeous steps in Beetham as it makes a magical day out in South Cumbria.

How to visit the Fairy Steps in Beetham

The Fairy Steps are located nearest to the village of Beetham in South Cumbria.

This is in the North West of England just above the city of Lancaster and just below the Lake District National Park.

There is no parking at the Fairy Steps so I would recommend driving to the quaint village of Beetham and parking your car to start the walk.

Some may wish to visit from Milnthorpe but this is a much longer walk.

It’s easier to drive as public transport is limited in this area.

There are a few Stagecoach buses that go from Lancaster – Kendal and Morecambe – Carnforth – Bowness that stop at Milnthorpe and Beetham.

If you are planning to visit by public transport, plan your outward and return route in advance to make sure you’re not stranded.

The Fairy Steps are open 24 hours a day but I wouldn’t attempt this walk at night as there’s no artificial lighting at all!

Where to park for the Fairy Steps in Beetham?

There is limited parking found around Slack Head Road and Church Street in Beetham but of course park with consideration. It can be very difficult to find a spot.

I, thankfully, managed to find a spot near the turnstile but it was around 90 minutes before sunset so most of the daytime ramblers had gone home.

Alternatively, you can park at Beetham Church which is around a 5-10 minute walk through residential streets to the start of the hike.

The Wheatsheaf Pub has a limited number of parking spots but these are for patrons only.

How long is the Fairy Steps walk?

Many people advertise a muddy and long walk to the steps of over 5 kilometres but I’m just not that way inclined.

The route I took was fairly easy and was only 20-30 minutes one way through a well-beaten track in the woods!

So, if you also want a fast and easy walk to see these enchanting steps, keep following my simple instructions.

The address to start the Fairy Steps walk is Meadow Bank, Beetham, LA7 7AW. Click here for a Google Pin! (The pin is called Footpath to Fairy Steps).

Starting the walk on Church Street

You’ll need to navigate your way to this pinned turnstile on Church Street/Meadow Bank to start the walk in Beetham.

You’ll walk past several houses and eventually find a stone stile leading you to an open field with public access.

There is a wooden sign pointing towards the Fairy Steps above the stile that also mentions Beetham Fell.

Note: there is only ONE sign pointing towards the Fairy Steps. After that, there are no signs to follow that let you know where the steps are. So, I’ll try my best to guide you through the woods.

Fairy Steps Sign Beetham — *The one and only sign I saw for the Fairy Steps…*

Walk through the stone stile and the open field

When you reach the pinned starting point, you’ll see a wooden gate and a stone turnstile that you need to pass through.

Now, I know I’m not the smallest girl in the world but this stile is really narrow so make sure to take a big breath in and head through the tiny gap.

You’ll then see a well-trodden public access route through the grassy field leading towards the woods.

I definitely had a bit of anxiety walking through this open field as I have been chased by cows before.

So, I was pretty much running up the field with my heart in my throat.

Thankfully, there were no cows in this field but sheep may be grazing here. Remember to keep your distance and dogs on a lead.

Pass through the gate and turn right

At the end of the field, you’ll reach a gate. Pass through the gate, turn right and follow the path around.

As most of the woodland is private with a public access footpath, you really can’t get lost.

There is one winding path to follow with steps and the rest of the area is fenced off.

quickest Fairy Steps walk — *Walk through this gate and turn right*

Fairy Steps Walk — *Follow this path up*

There are signs everywhere that say not to veer off the footpath as it’s private land with an access route.

You’ll walk up some mossy steps and pass by an abandoned farmhouse on your left.

Follow the path around until you reach the main gravel footpath in the woods.

Fairy Steps abandoned farmhouse — *You’ll see this abandoned farmhouse, walk by this*

Fairy steps walk follow the mossy wall to the main footpath — *Follow the mossy wall (pictured left) to the main footpath*

When you reach the main path turn right

As I mentioned earlier, there are no signs pointing you towards the Fairy Steps in the woods.

There are yellow arrows for the public footpath but they point in both directions (helpful).

At this point, you need to turn right on the path and then keep walking straight.

I actually turned left at first and quickly realised I was walking towards Beetham rather than the Fairy Steps. It was annoying but easily remedied.

As it was quite late in the day, I did find it was dark in this part of the woods.

I don’t scare easily but I did have a bit of a heart attack when several pheasants jumped out at me in the trees! Terrifying.

Honestly, I love them but they are such silly creatures. So, don’t be surprised to meet some on your walk.

Turn left at the fork and the cairn

Eventually, you will reach a fork in the road where a path veers off to the left and by a stone cairn.

Take this left path and you’ll find yourself on a more open gravel path. I was thankful for a bit more daylight!

Keep following this path for around five minutes or so and you’ll eventually reach an information sign for the Fairy Steps.

I was so glad to finally make it here. The signal was pretty awful in the wood and Google wasn’t the best at pointing towards the steps.

*Follow the open path to the Fairy Steps*

*The first Fairy Steps information board*

Look out for the Fairy Doors

On my visit, I saw this cute fairy door that had been placed on one of the trees on the path!

It was adorable and reminded me of being a kid when I used to go on fairy door trails.

I’m not sure if it will still be there on your visit but I hope so as it made my day!

Fairy Steps Fairy door — *How cute is this Fairy Door?*

You’ve reached the Fairy Steps

Now, you won’t see the Fairy Steps easily from the information board as you’ll be standing at the top of the limestone escarpment and steps on this route.

You’ll need to walk towards the limestone ridge and you’ll see the steps leading down with a beaten path to follow.

At this point, you have two options;

You can walk down the Fairy Steps and try to get your wish by not touching the sides according to the legend (note, it’s impossible).
You can take the concessionary path that leads down to the bottom of the Fairy Steps.

For me, it was an easy choice, I took the Concessionary route. It only takes five minutes to walk down and it felt a lot safer.

The steps are hundreds of years old and have had many people traverse them over time so they are uneven and can be slippery, especially if it’s raining.

I have awful balance and didn’t want to try my luck (or break something), so I turned left and kept following the ‘concessionary path’ until I reached the bottom of the steps.

Again, you can’t get lost as most of it is fenced off. Just keep walking down the hill and then follow the limestone wall to your right until see the steps.

This part of the wood doesn’t see much daylight so parts can be slippy and mucky. Watch your footing.

the concessionary path to the Fairy Steps — *Concessionary path to the Fairy Steps*

Walking up the Fairy Steps to get a wish!

I can’t tell you how happy I was to finally make it to the Fairy Steps. This has been on my bucket list for an age and it really is magical.

According to the legend, you have to walk up these steps without touching the sides and then you’ll be granted a wish by the fairies.

I don’t know how anyone can do this honestly as it is SO narrow and the steps are really uneven.

The fae are known to be tricksy and bored being immortal so maybe they are laughing at all the silly humans attempting to get their wishes for entertainment lol.

Sadly, I don’t think I got my wish this time as I failed only two steps up, haha!

I have the world’s worst balance, honestly. But, I still found the entire visit a magical experience.

Taking magical photos at the Fairy Steps

Of course, me being me, I was utterly extra and decided to do a little magical photo session at the Fairy Steps.

I donned my wings and wand and had a great time getting some mystical photos. As a lover of all things Romantasy, I just couldn’t help myself.

If you like my gossamer wings and wand, you can find the set here. For my headband see here.

This is probably my hundredth attempt at trying to find a Fae Trap or Portal in the woods and *sniff* another failure to add to the books.

One thing I did find mindblowing though is I didn’t see another soul on this walk on a weekend in August.

Apart from the silly pheasants giving me a jump scare, of course!

I then walked back up the concessionary path (honestly the steps are so steep and uneven) to follow the exact route back to Beetham and my car.

Are the Fairy Steps worth visiting?

Yes! If you are a lover of hiking, magic, fantasy, Romantasy or faeries then I would definitely recommend making a visit to the Fairy Steps.

It’s not the most convenient hike as you have to park up and walk there for at least 30 minutes but it’s well worth the effort.

The walk is scenic being in the South Cumbrian countryside and makes an enchanting day out.

Plus, you get the added chance of having your wish granted by the fairies! What have you got to lose?

Don’t skip a visit to the magical Beetham Fairy Steps, it’s a beautiful and peaceful place that will make you feel like you’ve stepped into another world.

My top tips for visiting

Wear sensible footwear – the walk can get quite muddy in the field and the woodland so have some sensible shoes for the walk.

Watch your steps – the steps are very slippery, especially in adverse weather or frost. I would advise walking up them rather than down. There is a concessionary path to the left of the top of the steps to avoid the scary downward climb.

Keep to the footpath – The majority of this wood is privately owned. Only stick to the public walking paths and respect the land. No BBQs or open fires are allowed.

Respect the residents – Beetham is a small place and people do live here. Please park with consideration and only park your car in dedicated parking spaces.

Mind the pheasants – they seem to be everywhere here. They perch in the trees and scare very easily. I was alone on this walk and had no less than 5 pheasants jump out at me on the path. It was pretty traumatic, haha.

Where to eat after the Fairy Steps

If you’re looking for a place to eat before or after your hike to the Fairy Steps, I would recommend The Wheatsheaf in Beetham.

It’s a historic pub that has been welcoming visitors for over 400 years and they serve up lunch and dinner.

They also have scones and drinks from 11 am which sounds scrumptious and the perfect place to refuel after a magical walk.

It’s good to note that they are only open on Wednesday to Sunday though and closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

They also have rooms for the night if you want to extend your stay in South Cumbria. It’s a great base to explore the local area and the Lake District.