Jnib

Review of Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway

Lovely narrow gauge railway that serves the Eskdal...

Lovely narrow gauge railway that serves the Eskdale Valley with multiple stops between Ravenglass and Boot. The railway itself is interesting and being able to travel on a steam train (if you select the correct journey, if not your motive force will be a diesel engine) is an experience not to be missed. Steam engines seem to be alive and breathing. Their smell and the heat and steam they produce are more than just mechanical by products. Even on a wet or cold day, travelling on a steam powered train is a good experience. The railway offers excellent views of the estuary and sandflats as you leave Ravenglass and then views of the river and fells that flank the line as you travel inland. Stops along the way offer opportunities to get off and walk the valley or fells or to visit the local pubs and sample local food and beers. Having spent a week based at Eskdale, the railway allowed us to walk the fells on both side of the valley and then return to our campsite by train. The train allowed us to complete one-way walks knowing we could relax (and recover!) on the train journey home. The railway is not cheap to use, but with careful planning, it does allow you to walk the valley and visit the Castle, Ravenglass, Boot and all points between without resorting to a car and that makes for a very enjoyable stay.