If you enjoy an active lifestyle, you can’t fail to enjoy the area around WELLBANK PARK – its amazing coastline and fells. We took a few days in early October to get a flavour of what the landscape has to offer. Here’s a roundup of what you can expect if you decide to pay us a visit.
A BIKE RIDE TAKING IN THE COAST AND WAST WATER
At just under 25-miles, the route took us through the rolling landscape towards the coast at Seascale and then inland to the shores of Wast Water. Having been blasted through the ‘Greendale wind tunnel’ we took a moment to enjoy the spectacular views. A lovely route enjoying some great views, pretty villages, ticking the miles off past fields of infamous Herdwick sheep and a bit of climbing thrown in to get the heart pumping.
Top: Wast Water Lake (England’s deepest lake at 258 ft)
Centre: Gosforth church tower, cottages and some Greendale sheep
Bottom: Windy Greendale and the bike at Wast Water
FELL HIKING UP TO STYHEAD TARN
Starting on the valley floor at Wasdale Head and passing by St Olaf’s (England’s smallest parish church) the path we followed took us along the river’s edge and upwards towards Styhead Tarn at 440m. The views through the valley to the mountains beyond were incredible. Taking a rocky route down to the valley we passed along the ridge of Great Gable. An invigorating 5.5 miles and with scenery like this, what more is there to say?
Top: Escarpment back down to Wasdale Head
Bottom Left: St Olaf’s Church, Right: Styhead Tarn
A DIP IN THE EMERALD POOLS
The benefits of cold-water swimming are familiar to many. Not me. If you’ve never done it (I hadn’t) I highly recommend it! Quite a brave move for early October but it was in fact incredibly energising. A short dip in the fresh water is an amazing endorphin rush that is well worth a try. Remember to bring something to put on your feet as the stony shards on the riverbed can be quite sharp. The Emerald Pools can be found on the aforementioned Wasdale walk – but don’t tell everyone.
LA’AL RATTY RAILWAY TO DALGARTH AND A WALK BACK
The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway’s narrow-gauge steam railway runs along the valley, across the estuary at the foot of the fells. Taking the full route from Ravenglass to Dalgarth for Boot, we enjoyed the ride experience followed by the seven and a half mile walk back along the Eskdale trail. Lucky enough to enjoy some warm Autumn sunshine, this beautiful walk takes you through ancient woodlands, alongside the riverbank and over Muncaster fell. With a stunning view at the top of the fell over to the coast beyond we dropped back down for a great meal at The Inn at Ravenglass pub.
COFFEE STOP AT THE WOODLANDS TEA ROOM
Nestled in the woods at Santon Bridge, this delightful café and gift shop has been around since the 1950s and offers great coffee, lunches and plenty of tasty treats. Its arts and craft shop looked very nice and ideal if you’re looking to buy, but not if you’re on your bike!
WALK OVER THE KNOLL TO THE CASTLE
A walk over the grassy Newton Knoll (turning around to take some pics. of the incredible coastal view), takes you through the woods and into the back of the impressive Muncaster estate. Passing the most enormous bug house I’ve ever seen, we followed the yellow trail signs down alongside the river Esk. Realising we just about got the tide right, we managed to skirt our way along the estuary edge all the way back into Ravenglass with just slightly wet toes to our walking boots! At this point you arrive at the confluence of the area’s three rivers – the Irt, the Esk and the Mite.
AND FINALLY, FOR THE HISTORY LOVERS
On an evening stroll, we discovered the remains of the Roman Baths along Hadrian’s Cycleway. A fascinating insight into Ravenglass’s distant past.
All done in a fabulous 3-days, it felt like we only scratched the surface of what there is to see and do in this compact corner of the Cumbria’s west coast.
Morag & Martin Girdwood stayed at the The Ravenglass Log Cabin, a fabulously cosy lodge in this lovely village, run by a local couple who live in the village. We would highly recommend a stay if you’re visiting WELLBANK PARK.