Eskdale

Eskdale is one of the most beautiful of the Lake District Valleys and it retains a peaceful tranquillity that makes it one of the most special places in the Lake District.

The Great Moss at the top of upper Eskdale is one of the Lakes best kept secrets, a stunning open valley, surrounded by the highest peaks in the country: Scafell, Scafell Pike, Esk Hause and Bowfell.

From here you drop down to the road at the bottom of Hard Knott Pass, a precipitous, winding mountain road that takes you northwards to the very heart of the Lakes. Or you can follow the river down Eskdale towards the sea in the distance.

The road winds along the valley bottom, past the hamlet of Boot and the occasional traditional pub, where you can sit out in the Spring and Summer, have a quiet pint of local ale and watch the lambs gambolling in the fields or watch as the farmers go about their daily work, in a valley where hill farming is still the mainstay of valley life.

From Boot a miniature steam railway puffs its way out to Ravenglass on the coast, and as you trace the tracks down the valley, traditional Cottages dot the hillsides and Stone walled fields fill the valley bottom before the flanks rear up onto the open fell.

The main village is Eskdale Green where you can stock up on provisions at the village shop, or stroll in the exotic Japanese Gardens. From here the valley starts to open out as the river flows tirelessly out to the sea. Muncaster Castle is the last bastion, standing proud above the river. Wonderfully preserved, it is full of history. It also has magnificent Gardens, which are particularly sensational in Spring and an Owl Centre.

The walking in Eskdale is unparalleled. You can hike from the valley bottom to the summit of the highest peak in England, or you can walk onto the high fells, where you will chance upon hidden tarns and splendid waterfalls and find secret swimming dubs in the mountain becks. You can trace the sinister old Coffin route over to Wasdale, who used to bring their dead over to the church in Eskdale. You can see the ruins of the haunted staging post, and imagine life in a different time. Or after a bit of rain you can walk up through the rhododendrons alongside Stanley Falls as the water booms in the narrow ravine.

Accommodation in Eskdale

• Wha House Cottage, sleeps 2
• Penny Hill Farm Cottage, sleeps 2/4
• Wood Barn, sleeps 4
• Bobbin Mill Cottage, sleeps 2/5
• Rigg Cottage, sleeps 5
• Woolpack Farm, sleeps 6
• Birkhow Cottage, sleeps 6
• Whin Rigg, sleeps 6
• Cragg Cottage, sleeps 6 (Birkby)
• Randlehow Cottage, sleeps 7
• Holin Head, sleeps 8
• Gillbank, sleeps 10
• Hazelwood, sleeps 10
• Esk View, sleeps 16
• Fisherground Farmhouse, sleeps 16

Useful Links for Eskdale

• For the village shop in Eskdale, please visit www.eskdalestores.co.uk.
  
• Eskdale has five pubs: the Bower House Inn, the George IV pub, Brook House Inn, the Boot Inn and the Woolpack.
  
• For Muncaster Castle, Gardens and Owl Centre, please visit www.muncaster.co.uk.
  
• For the miniature steam railway which follows a scenic 7 mile track from Eskdale to Ravenglass, please visit www.ravenglass-railway.co.uk
  
• If you would like to spend a day of guided climbing, canoeing, ghyll scrambling or other outdoor adventure sports, then visit Carol at www.carolclimb.co.uk or Andy at www.adventures.org.uk
  
• For guided walks, historical tours and stories of local legends, battles and ghosts visit Lucy & Colin at www.touchstonetours.co.uk.
  
• For general climbing information, please visit Steve Crowe's website: www.climbonline.co.uk
  
• For bouldering in Eskdale, please visit www.lakesbouldering.co.uk
  
• A good information site about Eskdale with events, accommodation, where to eat, where to go is www.eskdale.info.