Dotted throughout the beautiful scenery of the Lake District are dozens of charming villages. Some overlook vast lakes, while others are nestled among the dramatic fells.
Yet there’s one village which has a rather unique location which sets it apart from all of the others. Ravenglass is the only coastal village within the Lake District National Park, located at the estuaries of three rivers: the Esk, the Irt and the Mite.
Despite its special location you won’t find crowds of tourists visiting here. Ravenglass has remained a hidden gem and offers a tranquil escape by the sea.
READ MORE:
The village features a row of old fishermen's cottages which sit on the shore, with the fells just visible in the distance providing a picture-postcard backdrop. The beach itself is a mixture of sand and shingle, and it stretches quite far out at low tide although it is muddy in areas.
Although it’s not the kind of beach where you’d take a dip in the sea, it’s great for a bracing coastal walk and to admire the views. At one end of the beach is a grassy area with plenty of benches which make perfect resting points.
While Ravenglass appears quite sleepy today, it was once a bustling Roman naval base and it was occupied by them for more than 300 years. You can still see the remains of the Roman bath house at the edge of the village.
With sturdy walls standing at around 12ft tall, the bath house is one of the largest remaining Roman structures in Britain. It’s completely free to visit and a must-do for history fans.
Ravenglass is also home to the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway - affectionately known as ‘La’al Ratty’ which means little railway in old Cumbrian dialect. It’s one of the oldest and longest narrow gauge railways in England, originally built in 1873 to transport iron ore.
The railway runs for seven miles from Ravenglass all the way to Dalegarth. The journey takes around 40 minutes and family members of all ages will love it as the train winds through the landscape.
There are several stops along the way, including Irton Road which is the starting point for two of Wainwright’s walks. Arriving at Dalegarth and you’ll find yourself within sight of the Scafell range.
Just outside of Ravenglass is Muncaster Castle, an impressive building which has been home to the Pennington family for more than 800 years. The castle has been built upon and extended over time, and inside there are displays reflecting different areas.
Rich in history and reputedly haunted, Muncaster Castle sits in 70 acres of stunning gardens and woodland. Within the grounds is the Hawk and Owl Centre which offers daily bird of prey flying displays in the summer season.
Ravenglass is around three hours drive from Manchester, and an hour and 15 minutes' drive from Windermere.
For more of the latest What's On stories, click here.
Read next:
- The tiny Lake District village just a stone’s throw away from Windermere lake
- The stunning North Wales sandy beach rated one of UK’s best for swimming
- The hidden beach with crystal-clear water that's well worth the drive from Manchester
- The ruined castle and gardens in the Lake District with a playground kids will love
- The stunning Peak District waterfall ideal for a day trip from Manchester
