Things to do in Ravenglass

Ravenglass is a coastal Cumbrian village halfway between Whitehaven and Barrow-in-Furness. It is the only coastal town set in the Lake District National Park. Despite being a small town, there are a few interesting features and things to do that attract visitors to the area… 

  • Muncaster Castle & Gardens

Towering over the River Esk, Muncaster Castle has been an important part of the Ravenglass area since the Roman times and has been home to the Pennington family since 1208. The pele tower stands on Roman foundations and has been extended through the ages. The castle you see today is still the family home of the Penningtons. The families ownership of the castle through the centuries is thought to be due to the ‘Luck of Muncaster’, which refers to a drinking glass gifted to the family by Henry VI. He declared as long as the glass remained intact, the Pennington family would thrive in the area. The present owner, Patrick Gorden-Duff- Pennington narrates the house tour, describing the Great Hall, the Library, the Dining Room, the Drawing Room and the Bedrooms. After touring around the lavish castle, you can explore the stunning gardens, which thrive with colour in the spring and early summer, boasting a woodland garden of rhododendrons, camellias and azaleas. The Terrace Walk through the garden offers spectacular views of the Eskdale Valley and the Lakeland fells.

  • Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway

Explore over 7 miles of stunning Lake District scenery on a trip aboard the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway. The railway line is one the oldest and longest narrow gauge railways in England dating back over 105 years. The train stops a number of times on route starting from Ravenglass and calling at Muncaster Mill, Irton Road, The Green, and Beckfoot before reaching Dalegarth near Boot in Eskdale. From Dalegarth, you can walk to Easdake Mill, Stanley Ghyll Force and St Catherine’s Church as well as the nearby Wainwright Harter Fell. For more walks, purchases Wainwrights ‘Walks from Ratty’ from the station, describing walks that can enjoyed from various points on the railway line. 

  • Roman Bath-House 

The remains of a bath-house from Ravenglass Roman fort, established in AD 130, are still standing now and are amongst the tallest Roman structures surviving in northern Britain. The fort, whose earthworks are still visible, guarded the harbour and contained soldiers from Emperor Hadrian’s fleet. The forts at Hardknott and Ambleside were once linked to Ravenglass by a roman road.