AbstractThe hornfelsed Skiddaw Slates in the River Caldew, Cumberland, exhibit one of the best displayed sets of folds in the country. Patterns resulting from an analysis of these folds and the structures on the valley sides, indicate that the rocks have suffered several phases of deformation. Evidence is produced to suggest that folding was initiated during the pre‐Bala movements, and re‐folding occurred during the main end‐Silurian orogeny. During the end‐Silurian movements, folding due to collapse under gravity also o