Ravenglass

Yachts at Ravenglass

The only part of the Lake District that is on the coast, Ravenglass is perhaps the hidden gem of Lake District towns and villages. Far removed from many of the main tourist honeypots, this small village is a delightfully quaint settlement that boasts of sandy beaches that during low tide extend for miles out to the sea.

Whilst Ravenglass may seem like a tiny hamlet barely noticeable, its delightful scenery and railway are certainly worth a visit, with the majority of the area being classed as a conservation site.

Top Ravenglass Hotels

For those looking to take in some fresh air from the sea, Ravenglass and its vicinity is a wonderful area to stay, as it is also located within the Lake District National Park borders. Below we list some of the top hotels around Ravenglass, many of which are located in the small village of Holmrook.

Irton Hall

The Bridge Inn

Gosforth Hall Inn

 

MORE HOTELS NEAR RAVENGLASS

History

Ravenglass was originally a Roman naval base thought to have been named Glannaventa, and was a significant part of the defences against the Scottish. The busy port that was visited by ships travelling from across the Roman Empire was used to provide supplies to forts at Hardknott and Ambleside, and today you can take the historic Hardknott Pass from the Eskdale Valley to Wynrose Pass, following the same route that Roman soldiers would have taken.

Later, the nearby village of Boot became an important source of mined minerals including iron ore and copper ore, and a railway was built from Boot to Ravenglass to transport the minerals from the mines to the coast.

Shopping

Visitors come to Ravenglass for its picturesque scenery and heritage railway, and shops are few and far between. Today the main street is a quiet, yet very pretty, residential thoroughfare, though on warmer days you may find an ice cream seller on an old fashioned bike.

At the railway station there is a small gift shop with a selection of souvenirs and walking guides, as well as a café with a children’s play area.

Key Attractions

Ravenglass Steam Engine (Sue Burton Photography Ltd/Shutterstock.com)

The historic Ravenglass & Eskdale Steam Railway that was originally used to transport minerals mined from Boot now operates as a tourist attraction, with regular services between the village of Ravenglass and Dalegarth Station for Boot. Known locally as La’al Ratty, (Little Railway), the service is one of the oldest narrow gauge railways and offers a mixture of open and covered carriages pulled by steam and diesel engines.

At the Ravenglass Roman Bath House you can see some of the tallest Roman remains in the North of the UK. Nearby, Muncaster Castle is a Grade I listed building that dates back to 1208, and is thought to stand on the foundations of a Roman fort. Here you can take a tour around what is claimed to be one of the UK’s most haunted castles, whilst the in the gardens there is a maze, children’s play area, and a Hawk and Owl Centre with a fantastic collection of birds of prey.

Getting There

By Car – Ravenglass is located just off the A595 that travels between Whitehaven and Dalton-in-Furness, with no quick route available from the M6. Routes are available through the mountains from Elterwater near Windermere that take in Hardknott Pass, but these are not recommended due to the gradient and poor quality of the single track roads, many of which are closed for long periods in the winter.

By Public Transport – A National Rail station is also present at Ravenglass, sitting on the Cumbrian Coast Line between Lancaster and Carlisle with regular services in operation daily.