Ravenglass

Ravenglass provides for an excellent family outing, complete with a castle, owls, train museum, and Roman ruins! It’s easily accessible by train so makes for a perfect eco-tourism break.

Northern Rail run trains linking Lancaster and Carlisle via the Cumbrian coast and Ravenglass station.

Morning:

Begin the day with a trip on the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway (known locally as ‘La’al Ratty’ or ‘Little Railway’), directly opposite the Ravenglass mainline station. Board a steam or diesel train on this historic narrow gauge railway, and enjoy the seven mile journey from Ravenglass up through the Eskdale Fells to Dalegarth Station, taking in scenic views and wildlife. Enjoy lunch at Fellbites tea shop at Dalegarth, or upon your return to Ravenglass stop in at The Turntable Cafe on Platform 1. 

The Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway station is also home to the Ravenglass Railway Museum, containing working small gauge locomotives, models, artefacts and more. Admission is free but donations are greatly appreciated. There are also new interpretation panels on the railway’s history and Roman heritage, so keep an eye out them too.

Afternoon:

Stretch your legs by taking a leisurely walk (30 to 40 minutes) to Muncaster Castle, stopping for a visit at the Ravenglass Roman Bath House, part of the Ravenglass Roman Fort circa AD 130. Today earthworks and the bath house are all that remain of the fort, but at four metres high, the bath house ruins have the distinction of being northern Britain’s tallest Roman structure. Wear your wellies as the trail can get muddy! From the village cross the footbridge over the railway and turn left on reaching the private road. The bath house is a quarter of a mile further along.

From the bath house continue your walk along the footpath through the Decoy Wood to Muncaster Castle, home to the Pennington family since 1208. Enjoy an audio tour of the historic castle, roam over 70 acres of gardens and visit the World Owl Centre with over 40 varieties of owls. The castle is closed for winter until March 2014, but the gardens and owl centre remain open from 11am to 4pm daily. Adults £6.50, children 5-15 £5.50, under 5 free.