Ravenglass

Ravenglass is the Lake District National Park's only coastal settlement; essentially a single street of 19th century cottages sitting on the estuary of three rivers, the Esk, the Mite and the Irt. The curving estuary was used in the first century AD as a naval base by the Romans - a supply post for the legions that were posted to Hadrian's Wall. The Romans also built a fort, Glannaventa, although all that remains today are the 12 foot high walls of the Bath House (claimed to be the highest above-ground Roman building in England).

When the Romans left the village the local economy relied on fishing and the various ships that used the estuary as a port for trading with Ireland. In the 18th century the harbour was also used for smuggling tobacco and other goods from the Isle of Man.

Today the harbour is silted up, and most visitors come to the village to ride upon the narrow-gauge Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway. Originally built in 1875 to carry iron-ore from the mines in Eskdale to the coast, the line closed in 1953 after a brief stint being used to transport granite from the Eskdale quarries. In 1960 the railway was bought by a group of enthusiasts, and today the miniature steam locomotives carry tourists along the seven mile journey between Ravenglass and Eskdale, a route which takes in some fine Lakeland scenery.

Other attractions in the Ravenglass area include the Sellafield Visitor Centre and Muncaster Castle (which is based on a pele tower dating back to 1325). It is interesting to note that Thomas Skelton, who was jester at Muncaster Castle in the 17th century, attained such fame for his humourous antics that the word 'tomfoolery' became a part of the English language.