The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway is a 15 inch minimum gauge heritage railway in the Lake District, Cumbria. It's affectionately known as La'al Ratty meaning "little railway" in olde Cumbrian dialect. It runs for seven miles from Ravenglass, the only coastal village in the Lake District National Park, to Dalegarth Station at the top of the valley of Eskdale with magnificent views down from the fells. The line has been preserved by the Ravenglass and Eskdale Preservation Society, and is run mostly by volunteers. The small size of the carriages and engine resemble a toy train. It enjoys scenic views throughout its journey. The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway is one of the oldest minimum gauge heritage railways in England.
The original Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway was built with the purpose of hauling ore from local mines and opened on May 24th 1875. After locals expressed a desire for a passenger service through the valley, the line was upgraded and the first passenger train ran in November 1876. The original railway closed in April 1913 due to its poor condition and was rebuilt and reopened in 1915 as the railway we travel on today. Today, it is a popular tourist attraction for visitors to the Lake District, offering fantastic scenic views across verdant fields, undulating hills and the highest mountain range in England.
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(325 reviews)From your base in Wetheral, travel on heritage railways, enjoy the striking countryside of the north and delight in the natural beauty of England's Lake District. Sail across Lake Windermere to inspirational Bowness and the pretty village of Grasmere, once home to William Wordsworth. Enjoy a journey on the Settle to Carlisle Line to Skipton...