Ravenglass Hotels

History

The reputed birthplace of the legendary St Patrick of Irish legend in the early part of the fifth century, Ravenglass dates back further than this to at least the second century. Romans occupied the area at this time and stayed for over 300 years with a garrison of over 500 men, using Ravenglass as an important naval base.

The town was a regional supply point for much of north-western Roman Britain, with a road from Ravenglass over the Hardknott Pass to the Roman fort at Ambleside. Today there are a few Roman remains, of which one includes a bathhouse, known locally as Walls Castle, one of the largest remaining Roman structures in England.

Things to do

The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway is a minimum gauge heritage railway which runs for seven miles between Ravenglass and Dalegarth Station near Boot. The original railway transported iron ore from the mines in Boot, using the Furness Railway standard gauge line, to Ravenglass and opened in 1875.

Just inland, visitors can find Muncaster Castle, a Grade I listed building which is open to the public. Tours of the interior are available, and if you're lucky you may spot the rumoured resident ghost! The beautiful gardens boast a backdrop of the Esk Valley and the mountains, an owl sanctuary and a large maze.

Walkers can delight in the Ravenglass area as a whole, with the green fields and woodlands of the valley of Eskdale, together with the pretty River Esk, which penetrates deep into the central Lakeland fells.

Food and drink

Ravenglass has a handful of eateries, each of them fantastic. Seafood lovers should try The Inn at Ravenglass, an old-fashioned pub which specialises in freshly caught fish and other seafood. For some good old-fashioned hearty pub grub, visit The Ratty Arms on the main railway line. Here visitors can find great tasting home-cooked food in fascinating surroundings with a vintage railway theme throughout. Close by is The Ravenglass Tea Room, where guests can enjoy a cup of tea and homemade baked goodies, or a spot of light lunch after a train ride.

There are a handful of delightful Ravenglass hotels on offer, so book your trip today.