Ravenglass and Muncaster Mill

The Romans established an important naval base at Ravenglass in the second century, as it was a safe port from which to serve the military zone around Hadrian's Wall. The small harbour was also popular with 18th-century smugglers who brought contraband French brandy and tobacco into Cumbria via Ravenglass. The main village street leads up from a shingle beach with long rows of cottages on either side.

Affectionately called "Little Ratty", the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway is a 15-inch narrow-gauge steam railway. It was originally built to a 3-foot gauge to carry granite from quarries at the top of Eskdale to the port; in 1915 it was modified to the smaller gauge and rebuilt as a tourist line, defying the Beeching cuts of the 1960s to remain one of the most successful heritage lines in Britain.

Leaving Ravenglass, the route passes a Roman bathhouse — a remarkable building which is the tallest surviving free-standing Roman building in Britain, now in the care of English Heritage and open to the public. Less than a mile further into the walk is Muncaster Castle, a country house with magnificent gardens (a detour from the walk to the castle is well worth the effort).

Muncaster Mill, on the banks of the River Mite, is a beautifully restored traditional Cumbrian watermill, probably dating from the 18th century but rebuilt in Victorian times (the mill is open to the public on occasion). On the return journey from the mill to Ravenglass, when near Barrow Crag, enjoy views across to Muncaster Fell.

Acknowledgment: Text derived from the Out and Out Series; Discovering the Countryside on Foot. Pictures courtesy of Wikipedia.