subject: Sallys Review Of Eskdale [print this page] Eskdale was a brilliant place to grow upEskdale was a brilliant place to grow up. The valley itself is beautiful and I think the fact that it takes that tiny bit extra effort to get to it means that it hasnt been spoiled and is still one of the quieter valleys in the Lake District. Because it is quiet we were pretty much left to our own devices when we were younger.
We used to get a season ticket on the Ravenglass and Eskdale steam railway and spend long summer holidays chugging up and down. Its a beautiful ride (not that we noticed at the time) and it seems that adults get just as much out of it as children! When its hot, the open air carriages are full and even dogs are allowed to travel with a special dog ticket!
Then, once wed learned how to ride a bike there was no stopping us. Wed cycle up and down the valley stopping off at various swimming spots along the river Esk. Im not sure if Id be confident enough do it now but we used to jump off Forge Bridge, then Trough House Bridge and then (working our way up the valley) jump off the rocks into the Upper Eskdale pools. They were just fantastic. I think I might find it a bit cold now but maybe I should revisit my childhood and try it again.
Certainly whenever I come back to Eskdale it feels like Im coming home. All I want to do is get out there on the fells. Blea Tarn was always a particular favourite of mine a walk with a point and it took less than an hour to walk there. Rob, of course, prefers the high fells and will go up Giggle Alley (beautiful Japanese gardens there, by the way), over the fells and up Scafell Pike before dropping down into Wasdale for a well earned pie and pint. If it were me, I would drive up Hardknott Pass to gain some height first. Then you can walk over Crinkle Crags, Bow Fell and eventually Scafell Pike. Its still quite a hike though.
Talking of Hardknott Pass, this is an amazing road although not for the faint hearted. It leads to Ambleside and Windermere beyond but is a day out in itself. It is a tiny road winding up into the mountains. It is noted for being the steepest road in England with an incline of 1 in 3. Combine this with some very sharp hairpin bends, the odd car coming the other way and sheep on the road and you have a very interesting journey indeed. My dad took me up there when Id only been learning to drive for a couple of weeks. He spent most of the journey with his head in his hands from what I remember. Im not too sure because I think I had my eyes closed too! I certainly practised my hill starts that day.
Anyway, halfway up Hardknott Pass is Hardknott Fort, a Roman staging post in an amazing setting. Its well worth a stop off there to imagine what it would have been like to be stationed there all those hundreds of years ago. If you like a bit of history, check out the Roman Bathhouse at Ravenglass which is 7 miles from Eskdale, on the coast.
April and May is my favourite time of year in Eskdale. The woods are full of bluebells and the woodland walk to St Catherines church is magical. Even better, take a detour at St Catherines up to Stanley Ghyll waterfall. The walk has a feel of being in a rainforest and the narrow paths lead you up a small ravine which criss-crosses the river over wooden bridges. The waterfall at the end of the walk is stunning perfect for a moments quiet reflection.
Muncaster Castle is at its best in April and May too. The rhododendrons are fabulous in March/April and then once again the bluebells are fantastic here in May. The gardens are my favourite in Muncaster I used to work there and it took me almost three years to explore them fully. If youre quiet, the deer and rabbits may come out to play with you. I now come with my two little ones who love the playground and the ice-creams. I loved working there and occasionally would do a guided tour of the castle for groups. Theres a painting of Nelson which is one of only two full length portraits of him in the country except that the frame the Pennington family had for him was a tad small so they cut off the bottom of his legs! Theres also a ghost there I know because I slept in the haunted room and couldnt believe it when I felt a cold presence and deep pressure on my chest.
If you would like a bit more quiet reflection, then I would suggest a trip to Wastwater in the moonlight. Its just in the next valley to Eskdale and was voted Britains favourite view (in the daylight of course). Even with this accolade, its still a peaceful valley.
And of course, sometimes enough quiet reflection is enough. Its time for the pub and Eskdale is well placed for pubs with five in the valley plus a few others nearby. The best way to enjoy all that Eskdale has to offer is to stay in a self catering lake district holiday cottage of which Eskdale has it's fair share of.
by: Sally
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