Ravenglass

Ravenglass, lies between Barrow-in-Furness and Whitehaven.
In the 2nd century Ravenglass was an important Roman naval base. Little remains of the Roman port, known as 'Glannaventa', apart from a remarkable bath house, known as 'Walls Castle'. Ravenglass's main street is paved with sea cobbles from its shingle beach. Set on the estuary of the Rivers Esk, Mite and Irt, it is the only coastal village in the Lake District.

The popular Ravenglass & Eskdale Narrow Gauge Steam Railway, known as 'L’aal Ratty', terminates at Ravenglass. England's oldest steam narrow gauge railway, this was built in 1875 to transport iron ore from Eskdale. The station boasts a museum, workshops and the Ratty Arms pub (the old Furness Railway station). A trip along the 7 mile line takes visitors through one of the most beautiful valleys in the Lake District, passing Scafell Pike the highest peak in England.

When thinking of the Cumbria coast line, rarely do we think of Ravenglass.
Ravenglass holds many a hidden treasure and the most impressive being the famous Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway. For the train enthusiast this really is the place to be.
If considering visiting Ravenglass accommodation is available in the form of hotels Ravenglass and cottages Ravenglass.

On May 24th 1875 the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway opened (known locally as "L'aal Ratty"). Its sole purpose at this time was to ferry iron ore from workings near Boot to the coast at Ravenglass. The first passengers were carried on November 20th 1876. The line was declared bankrupt in 1877 as problems arose relating to the iron ore and the line finally closed in 1913.

In total the railway runs for seven miles (11.3 kilometres) from the Lake District National Park's only coastal village of Ravenglass in the Western Lake District, through hidden Miterdale, to the grandeur of the Eskdale valley. The terminus at Dalegarth for Boot nestles at the foot of England's highest mountains A trip along the 7 mile line takes visitors through one of the most beautiful valleys in the Lake District, passing Scafell Pike the highest peak in England.

Just south of Ravenglass stands Munster Castle, Gardens and Owl Centre. Muncaster Castle dating from the 13th century is situated one mile south of Ravenglass. Set in beautiful wooded grounds it is home to the World Owl Trust, the finest Owl Centre in the world - housing over 180 birds of around 50 species. Visit Muncaster Water Mill, or the Railway Museum. Muncaster Castle, beloved family home of the Pennington’s since the beginning of the 13th Century, displays treasures collected over 800 years.
Ravenglass has many things to see or do so for a family day out its ideal.