Lake District Short Break (5 days, 4 nights)

You will stay in Boot for 4 nights and have the freedom to choose from the below routes.

A linear walk making use of  'Ratty', the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway.  It will show you the maximum variety in the area. You visit Muncaster Fell which offers a real fell walking experience without ever climbing above 750’.  You will get good views into Eskdale, and the lower reaches of Mitredale.  On clear days you will have really good views from the mountains to the coast. Around Ravenglass you will have wonderful contrasting views of coast and fell as well as lots of history (check opening times of Castle). Muncaster Castle is claimed to be the most haunted house in England.  It was built around a Pele tower of 1325 then incorporated into a house of 15th & 16th centuries, this was extended in the early 19th century and remodelled by Salvin 1860s.  A feature of the grounds are the terrace walks which make use of a natural glacial feature to great landscape effect creating a view described by John Ruskin as ‘the gateway to paradise’. The gardens also use the locally mild climate to grow rhododendrons and azaleas together with woodland covering 77 acres.  The castle jester in 17th century was one Thomas Skelton, who gave our language the word Tomfoolery.  Use ‘Ratty’ to return to Dalegarth Station.

A walk with good views of the high fells, Muncaster ridge and down to the coast.  On the way you will pass Eskdale Corn Mill which dates from the 13th century and used to grind the corn for the Dale until the 1920s before being converted to produce electricity. Later you see the unusual round stone chimneys that  belong to Dalegarth Hall, a secluded building that was home to the Stanley family and has ornate ceilings bearing the date 1599.  The walk continues and you have the opportunity to visit to an impressive waterfall before returning to boot.  These 62’ falls are named after residents of Dalegarth Hall (Stanley Force) and are the finest in the area thanks in part to the romantic setting at the head of this deep and verdant Ghyll or ravine.

An easy day or the biggest challenge of the tour- it’s your choice!  Near the start of he walk you have some fine views up to Birker Fell and Bull How with Dawsonground Crags rising beyond that. Straight ahead is your objective, Hardknott.  Visit Brotherilkeld Farm. This Norse farmstead was acquired by Furness Abbey after 1242 as large sheep enterprise and enclosed by high wall in 1284, parts of which are still visible. The present ‘statesman’ farmhouse was built in the 17^th century and is now in the care of the National Trust.  Press on towards Hardknott Fort, this is Mediobogdum, a fortified garrison on the road from Glannoventa to Galava near Ambleside. It was built between AD117-35 by Hadrian and is considered the most impressive Roman remains in the country. They survived so well partly because, standing at around 800’, they were too remote for later generations to rob the ready cut stone easily. The square plan covers around 3 acres, with a tower at each corner and gate in each wall. Local stone was mainly used with sandstone from Gosforth around gateways. You can see the foundations of the headquarters, commander’s house, principia (orderly room), granary and bathhouses near the road A parade ground lies to north east with defensive ditches discernible. It was manned for a short time by a Cohort of Dalmatians then left to caretaker with the bathhouses possibly used as travellers inn. The footpath follows the line of the original Roman road.  Carry on to Lingcove Bridge, This is where the Lingcove Beck meets the Esk below Throstle Garth. The packhorse bridge and sheepfold are mediaeval, a part of the Brotherilkeld Farm. A landmark to look out for is the Eskdale Needle, a pillar of rock standing high up on the flanks of Hardknott.  Continue down into Boot.