Ravenglass

The history of a what is now, a small hamlet on the coast where Cumbria meets the Irish Sea, is illustrious to say the least. Some 1600 years after the Romans left Ravenglass, part of their fort, including the bath house, still stands. Testament to their skills in masonary I am sure you will agree. During the middle ages it was an important port as goods brought in across the Irish sea were distributed around the north of England and then in 1208, no other than King John himself signed a charter to create a market in Ravenglass. With the nearby Muncaster Castle a major trading partner, the busy market town stood the test of time until the 1800’s.

Sadly, the silt came into the harbour and the smugglers that are so romantically portrayed by the poets and scribes took the trade out of the village. Slowly the buzz and trade and busy markets left. The smoke and luxurious, repellent and strange smells that would have lingered over the main street; a mixture of sea and trade and food that have not existed for hundreds of years slowly drifted away. The pace of life In Ravenglass slowly slowly stalled and leisurely came down to what it is now. A single blessed out minute feels like a millennia in here as the sea quietly whispers to you remnants of its past.

Due to this past it is hard to describe Ravenglass as it is somewhat of an anomaly. 20 minutes away and you will be driving through the lush, dense greenery of the Lake District. The quaint little villages and the pubs with beer garden are interspersed with the towering mountains of scarfell and slowly the quinttisential north of England gives way. The land becomes flatter, the trees become less, the colours bleaches from the greens and a familiar smell enters the air, a coastal sea smell.

It is hard to believe that Eskdale is 15 minutes away from such a place but it is. Many comparisons will spring forth as you walk around. Cornwall and the streets or north devon are certainly reminiscent of Ravenglass.

The well kept gardens that adorn the houses on the main street are reminiscent of Guernsey and jersey and when the heat bakes the street and you walk out onto the beach you could as well be in Spain.

The best way to reach Ravenglass is on the Ratty railway which runs from Eskdale green and meanders for 7 miles through the countryside

If you travel to Ravenglass by the steam reailway, why not visit the train museum that can be found at the station? Here you will find an in depth history of the railway from Eskdale. With relics, models and photographs it details the history of the railway from its hayday as an iron ore over 100 years ago to its present form as a tourist attraction and how it is still the oldest narrow gauage line in England.

Admission is free.

After a long day in the sun, long walks along the beach and travelling in luxury on a steam train, you may be in need of refreshments. In Ravenglass you should head for the Ratty Arms. With indoor and outdoor seating the Ratty Arms offers a comfortable and slightly different place to eat and drink. It used to be the station itself and still has plenty of artefacts from that time on show.

The Millennium Garden

The millennium garden in Ravenglass is accessible on the mainstreet down a small alley between two houses on the right hand side of the road. It is well signposted. It is a good place to get out of the sun and get a little cool, the meditarenean style layout seems to gather the sea breeze. It was designed with the help of local school children.

Roman Bath House

”These very fine remains of Roman masonry date from the 1st Century and lie close to a very important Roman Fort at the southern end of the Hadrian's Wall fortifications. They are the tallest Roman remains in Northern England and are open to the public free of charge. The site is protected as a scheduled ancient monument.”

Walks and cycle rides

There are 2 main and popular cycles rides in Ravenglass. The most popular and relatively pain free (there is one section that is a little steep but otherwise it is easy going) is the track that runs almost parallel to the la’al ratty trainline. It covers the full distance from the station and Eskdale Green to Ravenglass (or, of course, vice versa). Since the railway takes bikes, why not do half the journey by one and half by the other? There is bike hire in Ravenglass station if you fancy such a venture.

The Hadrians wall cycle and footpath

It is possible to get onto the hadrians wall cycle way at Ravenglass. It is 174 miles long and goes coast to coast all the way to South Shield in Tyne and Wear. Obviously you do not have to attempt the complete journey but if you want to try a little of it then from the train station, head out of the carpark, under the old railway bridge that crosses the road. Follow the blue signs to the Hadrian’s cycle way.

Cycle hire.

It is possible to hire bikes at both end of the la’al ratty small guauge railway. Both stations have bike hiring facilities.

Accommodation in Ravenglass & Waberthwaite

• Miterdale Cottage, sleeps 4
• Sawmill Cottage, sleeps 4/6
• Cragg Cottage, sleeps 6 (Birkby)
• Woodside House, sleeps 8
• Newtown House, sleeps 10
• Knottview, sleeps 14