Itinerary Planner

The perfect place to reconnect - Western Lake District & Coast

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MORNING – MUNCASTER CASTLE, LA'AL RATTY, ESKDALE MILL

With 800 years of history, beautiful gardens, an owl sanctuary, maze and even a resident ghost, Muncaster Castle boasts unrivalled views of the Western Lake District fells. Full of treasures and bursting with history, tales seem to ooze from the castle walls.

Following your visit to Muncaster Castle, make your way to Ravenglass Station for the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, just 5 minutes by car.

The Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, affectionately known as La’al Ratty, is one of the oldest and longest narrow gauge heritage railways in England. Steam for seven miles through the beautiful Lake District National Park, from the coastline to the mountains with views of the wild fells beyond. The rail journey takes approximately 40-minutes, and ends at Dalegarth Station.

Once you have reached Dalegarth station, pick up a bite to eat from Fellbites Café before making your way to Eskdale Mill, just a ten minute walk from the station. Eskdale Mill is the last remaining working water-powered cornmill in the Lake District National Park. The mill is at the centre of a huddle of buildings at the north end of Boot village on the north side of the fast-flowing Whillan Beck, which flows from the moorland on Scafell. The buildings and their setting create an authentic historic atmosphere, allowing visitors to take a step back in time.

Walk back to Dalegarth Station to board the train which will take you back to Ravenglass Station. Once you have reached the station and picked up your car, you can continue discovering what Cumbria’s stunning coastline has to offer. The next stop is the Beacon Museum, 30-minutes drivetime from Ravenglass.

AFTERNOON - THE BEACON MUSEUM & SENHOUSE ROMAN MUSEUM

Situated on Whitehaven's charming historic Georgian harbour, The Beacon Museum and arts venue tells the story of historic Copeland, which boasts two World Heritage Sites set amongst the western Lakes dramatic mountain and coastal landscapes. The Beacon Museum traces the social, industrial and maritime heritage of the area, using local characters, audio-visual interactive displays and fascinating museum pieces. From Romans to Russian Samovars, Viking raiders to Victorian traders, the collections and displays represent the vibrant history of

Copeland. You can also see history merge with the present in the top floor viewing gallery, offering unrivalled views of Whitehaven and the Solway Coast.

Make your way to the town of Maryport, 35-minutes by car from Whitehaven.

Until the arrival of the Romans around AD 70, the area around Maryport was largely uninhabited. Fifty years on, in AD 122, following orders from the Emperor Hadrian construction began on a wall that would secure the northern frontier of their mighty empire.

The Senhouse Roman Museum is situated on the western end of Hadrian's Wall World Heritage Site overlooking the Solway Firth towards the Scottish coast. The museum showcases an impressive internationally significant Roman collection, including Roman military altars, sculptures and objects that tell the story of Roman life and beliefs on the edge of the Empire.

Maryport is also home to Lake District Coast Aquarium housing a stunning collection of diverse marine life found around the Cumbrian and UK coastline. A great day out for all the family - explore the Wild Solway exhibition centre with film theatre, grab a bite to the eat in the Harbourside Café, enjoy a round at the 14-hole Crazy Golf course and discover the adventure playground which even has remote controlled boats.