Ravenglass – Muncaster Castle - Ravenglass
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This walk follows Roman footsteps, exploring part of the Lake District's seaside, where the mountains sweep down to the coast. The route starts in Ravenglass, now the home of the famous 'Ratty' narrow-gauge railway. Ravenglass is an ancient port, probably in existence before the Romans came. Its position at the confluence of three rivers, the Irt, the Mite and the Esk, meant it was a wonderful natural harbour for shallow-draft boats. Then called Glannaventa, it was the western end of the Roman road from Ambleside over Hard Knott.
The route soon reaches Walls Castle, the remains of the bathhouse of the Roman fort of Glannaventa. It is the only part of the fort still visible and the walls still stand twelve feet high, the tallest Roman remains in the north of England. The path then leads over the fells to the grounds of Muncaster Castle. A public footpath leads through the magnificent gardens. You should not stray from this unless you buy a ticket: reduced price walkers' tickets are available. The position of Muncaster Castle is unsurpassed and the view from the terrace into the mountains is widely reckoned to be one of the finest in Britain. The gardens are well worth exploring if you have time. The castle, ancestral home of the Pennington family from at least the 13th Century and probably before that, is reputed to be one of the most haunted in England and has many interesting features.
Leaving Muncaster behind, the route wends its way back to Ravenglass. The last part of the route is along the shore, leading into the little town along the same road as ancient arrivals by boat. At the very highest tides, the sea may cover this path and on these rare occasions you have to retrace a short part of the route.
This walk is worth doing at all times of year for the views and historical interest, but it is undoubtedly at its best in spring when the rhododendrons and azaleas are in bloom. There is a pub, the Pennington Arms and a tea room at the Ravenglass and Eskdale Station in Ravenglass. There is also a teashop at Muncaster Castle, though this is not on the public footpath.
England - North England - Cumbria - Lake District - South West
Features
Ancient Monument, Castle, Church, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Pub, Public Transport, Sea, Stately Home, Tea Shop, Woodland
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