The Ravenglass and Eskdale Steam Railway (or La’al Ratty) is the Lake District’s oldest, longest miniature steam railway and undoubtably one of the most scenic railway journeys in Britain. If you are staying in self catering lake district cottages (especially in Eskdale and Wasdale), this is an unmissable day out for all the family.

The La’al Ratty runs for seven miles from the Dalegarth Visitor Centre at Boot in the heart of Eskdale out to the delightful coastal village of Ravenglass, passing through two glorious valleys at the feet of England’s highest mountains.

You can start your journey either inland at Dalegarth or out at Ravenglass on the coast. If you are coming from one of our holiday cottages in the Wasdale, Ravenglass or Gosforth areas (or even further afield) then taking the train from Ravenglass is a great way to travel up into Eskdale.

If you are staying in a cottage in Eskdale, then it’s a brilliant day trip to take the train out to the coast from one of the several stations in the valley, take a stroll along the beach and have fish and chips and a drink at the Ratty Arms and then take the train back up into the valley later in the day.

If you are taking the La’al Ratty from Eskdale out to the coast, then you can board the train at any of the stations along the line, but the main starting and stopping point is at Dalegarth Visitor Centre in Boot. Here there is a play area for the children and you can watch the trains turning on the spinning wheel between each journey, have a meal or grab a snack and an ice cream.

The trip takes in the very best of this stunning part of the Lake District. Dalegarth Station is in a stunning location, flanked on all sides by the great peaks of the Lake District, with Scafell to the north and Stanley Ghyll and Birker Force to the south. From here, you travel through the open valley until you enter Beckfoot wood. After you leave the wood, the railway runs on a ledge above the valley road for a while until coming to Gilbert's cutting, undoubtedly one of the most photographic points on the line.

Here the scene changes, as the line hugs the northern side of valley, providing a break between the ruggedness of the bracken clad hillside and the softer, farmland below. The local Herdwick sheep are abound, deer are frequently seen in the woods and buzzards circle in the sky.

Before coming into Eskdale Green Station, you descend the steepest section of the line known as Hollinghow Bank and then from here, the line falls some 20 feet to the valley of the River Esk and the skyline is dominated from now by craggy Harter Fell which stands some 2160 feet above sea level.

Miterdale is a haven for red squirrels and far away from roads, cars and other signs of modern life. Views of craggy Muncaster Fell dominate, although all should look out for our unique boat-type shelter at Miteside halt. Next is Rock point, probably the most spectacular point of all, where the line swings around a rugged promontory high above the river affording great views of the Scafell range, particularly in winter.

At the end of your journey, you come into Ravenglass across tidal Barrow Marsh, home to many birds, including oyster catchers and ringed plovers. At Ravenglass, you can recover at Jan’s café and enjoy the home baking or you can pop to the Ratty Arms next door to the station and enjoy a pint of local ale.

There are lots of different options that you can include with a day on the ‘Ratty’:

Take a walk up to Muncaster Castle from Ravenglass: There are two routes from the train station either via the main road or via the Eskdale Cycle Trail through the Decoy Wood. This will take you past the Roman Bath House and through delightful scenery.

It is also a fabulous walk out to Ravenglass along Muncaster Fell from Eskdale Green – you could leave your car at the Ratty station in Eskdale Green and then hike out to Ravenglass and have a leisurely trip back on the train.

You can also hire Mountain bikes at Dalegarth Visitor Centre in Eskdale, which you can explore three specifically devised routes in the Eskdale valley by bike.

Budgie Bike Hire offer Trek 4300 Mountain Bikes in three sizes - small 16" frame, medium 18" frame and large 19". Ideal for Eskdale's rugged terrain and suitable for all ages over and above a decent sized 10-year old.

Full day hire costs £14 and half-day hire is charged at £8. The bikes are available whenever trains are running. It is recommended that availability and prices are checked before travelling as at certain times it is not unusual for all the bikes to be in use. Contact the Scafell Gift Shop on 019467 23226 for availability. The phone is manned whenever trains are running, but out of normal trading hours a message can be left on 01229 717171 (24-hour answer-phone service).

There is also a children’s play area and a café at Dalegarth, which serves everything from hot and cold drinks, sandwiches and cakes made on the premises, to full meals made to order. The café is open whenever trains are running...

Fares Guide 2010.

• Adult unlimited travel for the day – with free line guide - £11.20

• Child (aged 5-15 inclusive) - unlimited travel for the day – £5.60

• Child (under 5 free) - Free scratch card game given

• Adult single - £6.60

• Child single (aged 5-15 inclusive) - £3.30

• Family ticket - unlimited travel for the day – 2-adults, 2 children - £29.00

• Dogs - £1.50 per journey

• Cycles - £3.50 per journey (Cycles must be pre-booked - 01229 717171)

Please note that we aim to keep prices up to date, but if you would like to double check on prices, please phone 01229 717171 and ask to speak to Ravenglass Ticket Office.

Special Events

It is worth checking to see if your stay in the Lake District coincides with a special event being held on the ‘Ratty’. The Santa special, The Ghostly Hallowe’en rides and the Thomas the Tank Engine and Postman Pat themed days are all great for adults and children alike (prebooking is recommended for these events).

A bit of History

The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway opened on May 24th 1875, its purpose being to ferry iron ore from workings near Boot to the coast at Ravenglass. On November 20th 1876 the first passengers were carried. Built to a gauge of 3 feet (910mm), problems soon arose relating to the iron ore and the line was declared bankrupt as early as 1877.

The line finally closed in 1913. Unused for two years, in 1915 the miniature railway engineer WJ Bassett-Lowke and his friend R Proctor-Mitchell, (representing Narrow Gauge Railways Ltd) acquired the line as a base for testing their little locomotives under fairly harsh operating conditions. By 1916 the re-gauged track (15"/381mm) ran as far as Irton Road, while during the following year the miniature trains were running the full length of the line.

Quarrying recommenced on the line near Beckfoot and granite blocks were transported to Murthwaite, where they were crushed for use mainly as road stone and railway ballast. By 1946 ownership had transferred to the Keswick Granite Company, who decided in 1953 to cease quarrying operations. With the exception of the war years passenger traffic continued throughout.

However, in 1958 and again in 1959 the line and fittings were offered for sale but, without any serious potential purchaser, it was announced that the 1960 season would be the last. The Railway was to be sold by auction in September. The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway Preservation Society was formed by enthusiasts but hopes were not high. Fortunately, two interested parties, (Colin Gilbert a midlands stockbroker and Sir Wavell Wakefield a local landowner) stepped in on the day of the auction with the balance of the purchase price.

In 1968 the railway moved on, becoming an integral part of the Wakefield family business in the Lake District. Much work had already been done to catch up with the backlog of maintenance, new coaches had been built and the Preservation Society had funded the building of a new locomotive, the River Mite. Further major works continued, Ravenglass station was re-modelled and a further locomotive, Northern Rock was built in the company's workshops, entering service in 1976.

With this great history at your finger tips why not stay in holiday cottages in the Lake District? Especially in the Eskdale/Ravenglass area. Just follow the link in the resource box.