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Site by Cypher
Ravenglass and the Surrounding Area
Muncaster Castle and Gardens, home to the World Owl Trust, and the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway are nationally and internationally known attractions. The Ravenglass Railway Museum tells more of the history of local railways. Ravenglass is the only coastal village in the Lake District National Park and the Parish has a history going back to Roman times comprising the site of a Roman fort and surviving remains of a Roman bath house. For golfers and fishermen Eskdale Golf Course is just down the road. These features, along with the natural beauty of the local countryside, make the Parish a considerable tourist draw offering quiet attractions and enjoyment for locals and visitors.
Muncaster Castle
Home to the Pennington family for 800 years, is a genuine treasure trove of art and antiques. Its Great Hall, Octagonal Library and elegant Dining Room are all windows on a grand past. But Muncaster's wild history reveals a flipside to life in a stately home. The castle evolved from the Pele Tower, built to repel marauding Scots. Those who stay here say it is haunted by ghosts, including the legendary Tom Fool. Visit the Tapestry Room if you dare.
Between the Irish Sea and Hardknott Pass, Muncaster is located in one of Europe's most remote and dramatic landscapes. The wild setting of ancient woods and soaring mountains provides opportunities to explore the designated paths and walks. Try the awe inspiring Wild Walk or the fascinating Sino-Himalayan Trail. Walking boots or stout footwear recommended.
Usually Muncaster closes its gates at dusk, and visitors only see the splendid gardens during daylight hours. However as night time approaches the gardens take on a completely different persona, particularly as there is little residual light from anywhere else to disturb the sheer darkness that is Darkest Muncaster.
Tel: +44 (0) 1229 717 614
Website:www.muncaster.co.uk
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The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway - La'al Ratty
Welcome to the English Lake District's longest and most spectacular steam railway!
The line runs for seven miles (11.3 kilometres) from the Lake District National Park's only coastal village of Ravenglass in the Western Lake District, through hidden Miterdale, to the grandeur of the Eskdale valley. The terminus at Dalegarth for Boot - home to our new visitor centre - nestles at the foot of England's highest mountains.
Around 125,000 visitors delight in the Railway each year. For many it's an occasion to enjoy family time together, soaking up the rich variety of flora and fauna plus that special beauty reserved for this part of the Lake District. For ever increasing numbers the Railway provides an ideal opportunity to travel before enjoying a gentle stroll or a more serious boots on ramble, while the biggest growth market is for those wanting to use the train as a base for cycle hire and trails.
For all though it's the magic of steam, including the world's oldest working 15" (38.1cm) gauge locomotive, that adds that little bit extra to one of the Lake District's top attractions...
Visit us once and we can guarantee you'll be back!
Tel: +44 (0) 1229 717171
Website:www.ravenglass-railway.co.uk
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Ravenglass Railway Museum
Maintained by Eskdale (Cumbria) Trust, a registered charity, based at Ravenglass Station alongside the main line railway. The Museum is accessible by wheelchair ramp, and the audio visual show has subtitles and hearing loop.
The Museum tells the story of the local railways from 1849 with models, small exhibits, and historic rolling stock from the Eskdale Railway. Well behaved youngsters can even sit in the driver's seat of steam loco Synolda.
Open daily from mid March to the end of October and in winter whenever public trains are scheduled to run on the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway.
Entry is free and donations towards upkeep are welcomed
Contact Peter Van Zeller on 01229 717296
Hadrian's Wall
Located at the beginning (or the end!) of the World Heritage Site, Ravenglass Roman Bath House was established in AD130 and is all that remains of Ravenglass Roman Fort.
The fort at Ravenglass (whose earthworks can be seen near the bath house) guarded what was probably a useful harbour, and there is evidence that soldiers stationed here served in Hadrian's fleet.
The Bath House remains are among the tallest Roman structures surviving in northern Britain: the walls stand almost 4 metres (13 feet) high.
Ravenglass Roman Bath House is an English Heritage property and can be combined with a visit to Muncaster Castle and the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway.
www.hadrians-wall.org
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The World Owl Trust
The World Owl Trust is a charity whose aim is to conserve owls and their habitats on a global scale.
The Trust’s headquarters and Owl Centre are based in the beautiful wooded gardens of historic Muncaster Castle and every year we welcome over 70,000 visitors to see one of the most comprehensive owl collections in existence.
Here you will see over 100 owls from over 50 different species and sub-species ranging from the biggest owl in the world - the European Eagle Owl - to the tiny Pygmy and Scops Owls. Visitors to Muncaster can "Meet the Birds" at a daily flying display (spring/summer season) and we also feed a population of wild herons each day at the front of the Castle.
The Trust works on conservation programmes here in the UK and overseas. We also rehabilitate injured animals in our wildlife hospital.
Visitors can become members of the Trust or adopt one of our owls. You can also arrange to be a Keeper for a Day.
www.owls.org/
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Eskdale Golf Course
Set amongst mature woodland, Eskdale Golf Course offers a unique, 18 hole, golfing experience for players of all abilities. With views of neighbouring fells and England's highest mountain, Scafell, towering in the distance Eskdale will provide a superb day out.
The estate also includes 5 miles of Salmon and Sea Trout fishing with numerous productive pools along the banks of the River Esk.
For more information please phone 01229 717680 or visit our website at www.eskdalegolf.co.uk.
The Lake Disrict National Park
England's largest National Park includes our highest mountain Scafell
Pike and Wastwater - our deepest lake. Its rich history includes Roman
forts and Romantic poets, and centuries old traditions like
houndtrailing and rushbearing still flourish. You can walk, canoe, sail
or climb around its spectacular coastline, lakes and fells.
Website:www.lake-district.gov.uk
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Cumbrian Coastal Way
The Cumbria Coastal Way passes through Ravenglass. A walk along the fascinating Cumbria coast from the boundary with Lancashire, around the southern Cumbrian peninsulas with their vast stretches of estuarine sands, through the Lake District National Park and the industrial heritage of the west coast, along the Solway Firth and through rough border country to the historic city of Carlisle with glimpses of Hadrian's Wall, then dipping its toe into Scotland to end at the famous border town of Gretna.
The route was established by Cumbria council in the late 1980s and is easy to walk in short stages using public transport. It will eventually form part of the lengthy North West Coastal Trail from Chester to the Scottish border.
Find out more about the Cumbria Coastal Way and other walking routes in the area on the Ramblers Associaition website.
www.ramblers.org.uk
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