Update 11 December 2024 - Please note that the railway footbridge at Ravenglass is currently closed - the latest update from Network Rail we have received is that they intend to remove the existing bridge in February 2025 so it can be refurbished at their workshops. They then intend to reinstall the bridge in late Spring (potentially May 2025). More information regarding the closure can be found here: Temporary Closures of Rights of Way : Lake District National Park.
Set in the beautiful western village of Ravenglass, this is a walk back in time to one of the tallest remaining Roman buildings in the country OS Explorer Map OL6
This route is all about history. A short stroll or ride out from Ravenglass, a charming village packed full of heritage, the route takes you along the edge of the estuary to the to the remains of the bath house of Ravenglass Roman fort, established in AD 130. This route is worth celebrating as it is an easy way to discover our Roman history, which is evident throughout the Lake District National Park, and you'll be in not one but two World Heritage Sites!
Please note that mobility scooters must be class 2 or 3 on the route.
Ravenglass is an historic national park coastal hamlet, lying on the estuary of three rivers - the Esk, Mite and Irt. It became an important naval base for the Romans in the 2nd century. Little remains of their large fort, Glannoventa, except for the remarkable bath house, now known as Walls Castle. This is one of the largest surviving Roman structures in England, measuring about 15 metres by 30 metres, with walls 4 metres high. It housed everything from hot saunas to cold baths.
Park in the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway (La’al Ratty) car park. Leave the car park by its entrance and turn right and go under the bridge, (be careful on the road, there is no pavement). Then right past the caravan site entrance and onto the tarmac private road.
If you wish to avoid the road, at the far end of the station car park pass to the left of the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway (La’al Ratty) ticket office, bear left and then right to ascend the slope (1:6 for 24m) past the playground up to the bridge over the main line railway. Turn left, (signed Roman Bath House) onto a path which then heads gently down to the road to the Roman Bath House, here you turn right on to the tarmac private road. Update 30 April 2024 - Please note that the railway footbridge at Ravenglass is currently closed, contractors working on behalf of Network Rail are replacing and repairing some of the metal structure and decking. The works are anticipated to be complete in July 2024. More information regarding the closure can be found here: Temporary Closures of Rights of Way : Lake District National Park.
There is an alternative car park in the Village, Leave the village car park the way you came in, past the public toilets down to the shore road and turn right, you need to walk along this road under the two bridges (be careful on the road, there is no pavement for 300m), then take the right turn past the caravan site entrance down the tarmac private road.
The path 'For All' follows this road. There is an off-road path 'For Many' to the left of the road.
After 1 km, you reach the Bath House, information panels and a bench. Just beyond the Bath House, to the right of the road, is the site of the Roman Fort.
Ravenglass Station Car Park (Pay and Display)
Postcode: CA18 1SN
Grid reference: SD 086965
W3W: ///detection.shakes.dusters
Grid reference: SD 089958
W3W: ///adjusted.alas.prettiest
Accessible toilets (with Changing Places facilities, radar key required) and a café on the platform at the station (available when railway is operating). Additional parking in Ravenglass village pay and display CP with toilets (including both accessible and baby change, radar key required) on the access road to that car park. There are pubs, a hotel and tea rooms in Ravenglass village.
Train: Station at Ravenglass. Trains from Lancaster and Arnside in the south and Workington and Carlisle in the north. Bus: There is currently no bus service to the village. Car: A590 from Kendal and take the A5092 and A595 beyond Broughton in Furness. From the north, follow the A595.
