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AKA - The Sh*t Faced 10
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DeVin , DeGutt , De Barnes-Wallace , Teflon, Macca 1 & 2 , Huddy , MWNB , Fineogs & Madge
This former coach house overlooks the sea, in this pretty Roman port, with its ruined Roman bathhouse and fort. Walk along the seafront enjoying the birdlife and the peace former smugglers enjoyed too.
Totally refurbished, furnished and equipped to a high standard, this large house is ideal for couples or two large families.
The nearby 'Ratty' Railway station allows easy trips up Eskdale for superb fell walking, with Scafell Pike at its head. The nearby Muncaster Castle, supposedly haunted, with its famous gardens and Owl Centre and many activities makes an excellent day out.
Shop 10 yards, pub 25 yards.
Ground Floor: Lounge, kitchen/diner, 1 double bedroom with en-suite bathroom with shower, toilet and basin. First floor: Bathroom with separate shower, toilet and basin. 5 bedrooms: 2 double, 1 with en-suite bathroom with shower over bath, toilet and basin, 3 twin, 2 with en-suite shower, toilet and basin.
A shingle beach frames Ravenglass, in western Cumbria, the only coastal village
within the Lake District National Park. The village, whose main street is
paved with sea cobbles, sits where three rivers meet: the Esk, the Mite, and
the Irt. The Drigg Dunes and Irt Esturary Nature Reserve, to the north, is
home to a colony of black headed gulls.
King John gave Ravenglass a market charter in 1208. It enjoyed prosperity when slate, quarried from the Lake District was loaded on boats in the harbour, but its importance as a port ended when the Industrial Revolution claimed other places nearer the centre of manufacturing and industry. Ravenglass's port silted up. Long before that time, the Romans, Norse and Saxons made use of the port.
From AD 78 through the 3rd century, one thousand Roman soldiers occupied Ravenglass. It served as an important naval base, command centre and supply distribution point for the occupation of the northwest of England. Little remains today of the Roman fort, called Glannaventa, except for the Bath House, known incongruously as Walls Castle. The structure, measuring 40 by 90 feet, with walls over 12 feet high, is one of the highest standing of Roman remains in England. The coast from Burgh-by-Sands to Ravenglass has been designated part of the Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site
Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway
Today, the village is the home of the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, 'La'al Ratty', with its station, workshops, pub and museum. The museum shares with visitors the history and importance of the railroad in local life by using photographs, an AV show, and railway models. The old Furness Railway station is now the Ratty Arms, where bar meals are served.
The three-foot gauge railroad was built in 1875 by the Whitehaven Iron Mines to carry ore from Nab Gill, seven miles away, to the Furness Railroad at Ravenglass. Passenger fares helped keep the trains rolling when the mines failed in 1882. Sadly, the railroad stopped running in 1913, but it was reopened two years later as a 15-inch gauge, carrying both passengers and granite from Beckfoot quarry. In 1960 the Preservation Society purchased the railroad that now provides a scenic ride for travellers and locals alike, using either steam or diesel engines.
Starting from Ravenglass the train makes a 40 minute journey, first skirting
the bank of the estuary, then climbing along the flank of Muncaster fell to
Eskdale, progressing to its terminus along the valley at Dalegarth, near the
foot of Lakeland's highest mountains. Walks begin at various places on the
line. One of these is at the tiny village of Eskdale Green straddling the
hillside above the railway. At Dalegarth (or the National Trust car park),
walk to Stanley Ghyll Force, a 60-foot high waterfall in a dramatic, deep
and narrow gorge. It's considered Lakeland's loveliest waterfall.
From the station at Dalgarth it's an easy ½ mile walk to the charming
stone village of Boot, with its pub and Eskdale Mill. Cross over a 17th century
packhorse bridge to the Mill. It dates back to 1578, but milling started in
the valley as early as the 12th century. It's an unusual two-wheeled water
mill, much of which is in working order. An exhibition explains the milling
process and the workings of the wooden machinery. At one time the mill provided
electricity for the entire valley.
Near Boot is the 12th century St Catherine's Church in a magnificent setting by the River Esk at the upper end of Eskdale. Note the marigold designs on the font and the stained glass windows-St Catherine is shown on the east window.
Muncaster Mill
One of the train's stops (you can also drive there) is at Muncaster Watermill, a traditional village mill in operation since 1455. The mill, originally part of the estate of Muncaster Castle, gets its water supply from the River Mite. Once an oat mill, it now makes organic stoneground wheat flour using 'French burr' stones, a heavy stone that can grind a harder grain. A large pit wheel provides the power to drive the mill machinery. You can buy flour to take home or treat yourself to goodies in the teashop.
Historians believe Ravenglass's name came from one of two sources, either 'rengles', the 'lot or share of a man called Glas' or the Old Irish 'rann' plus a personal name. Wherever its name came from, the village and its railroad is the start of a scenic adventure through Eskdale, one of the quietest and most rewarding of Cumbria's dales.
General Museums & Heritage Centres
The Beacon Whitehaven
Dock Museum Barrow
Tullie House Carlisle
Helena Thomson Museum Workington
Keswick Museum Keswick
Maryport Maritime Museum Maryport
Museum of Natural History and Archaeology Kendal
Penrith Museum Penrith
The Ruskin Museum Coniston
Literary Museums
The Armitt - A Lakeland Heritage Experience Ambleside
Beatrix Potter Gallery Hawkshead
The Ruskin Museum Coniston
The Wordsworth Museum Grasmere
Transport Museums
Cars of the Stars Keswick
Lakeland Motor Museum Cark-in-Cartmell
Ravenglass Railway Museum Ravenglass
Solway Aviation Museum Carlisle
Millom RAF Museum Haverigg
Windermere Steamboat Museum Windermere
Specialist Museums
Border Regiment Museum Carlisle Castle
Cumberland Pencil Museum Keswick
Cumberland Toy & Model Museum Cockermouth
Guildhall Museum Carlisle
Laurel and Hardy Museum Ulverston
Millom Folk Museum Millom
Museum of Papermaking Milnthorpe
Museum of Lakeland Life Kendal
Printing House Museum Cockermouth
The Quaker Tapestry Exhibition Kendal
The Rum Story Whitehaven
Senhouse Roman Museum Maryport
Wetheriggs Country Pottery Clifton Dykes, Penrith
Birdoswald Roman Fort Visitor Centre Gisland, Brampton
Mining Heritage Centres
Florence Mine Heritage Centre Egremont
Honister Slate Mine Borrowdale
Keswick Mining Museum Keswick
Nenthead Mine Heritage Centre Alston
Haig Colliery Mining Museum Whitehaven
Essential Information
Ravenglass is on the A595 between Barrow-in-Furness and Whitehaven. North
Western Trains on the Lancaster-Barrow-Carlisle line connect with Eskdale
trains at Ravenglass.
Ravenglass Roman Bath House
¼ mile east of Ravenglass, off minor road leading to A595
Open site
English Heritage/Lake District National Park Authority
The Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway Co. Ltd.
Ravenglass, Cumbria CA18 1SW
Tel: 01229 717171
Fax: 01229 717011
E-mail: rer@netcomuk.co.uk
Railway timetable: http://www.ravenglass-railway.co.uk/timetable.htm
Muncaster Watermill
Tel: 01229 717232
On the A595 Barrow in Furness to Workington road, one mile northeast of Ravenglass.
Open daily Easter to the end of October, 10-5pm Weekends, November to March,
11-4pm
At other times by appointment.
Stanley Ghyll
National Park Access Land
Tourist Information Centre: Sellafield Visitor Centre
Sellafield, Seascale CA20 1PG
Tel. 019467 27027
