ONE WEEK IN RAVENGLASS, LAKE DISTRICT, 2020
17th - 22nd September 2020
It's very rare for us to stay in one location for longer than 3 nights - as we like to get about and see as much as possible in our short time away from work. But due to the Covid pandemic that hit in 2020, travel (amongst a lot of other things) got a little more complicated and stressful - so when the restrictions were lifted we decided to plan a nice relaxing week away in the lakes, and we chose the Ravenglass Camping and Caravan Club site to do this. We'd never been before, we had no idea what was around the area - the pictures just looked nice and it was by the sea* in the Lake District... and we were not disappointed!
*Note that it is technically an Estuary - where a river meets the sea - not the actual sea front. When high tide there is no beach and at low tide there is no sea! Also take care when walking on the
The site was gorgeous and a really peaceful place to stay. The surrounding fields had sheep in them so we wake up to sheep sounds all around us, which wander found fascinating.. and we were lucky enough to have the late September sun all day on our pitch. The sea front with 2 pubs was just a 10 minute walk away, our favourite was The Inn at Ravenglass, it was perfect for watching the sunset - which I think we did every evening and at night, the skies were beautifully clear and full of stars due not much light pollution.
We had a hard standing pitch, but there was 'grassed area' for the awning.. so if you have an awning with an attached groundsheet be careful not to tear it. The site warden upon arrival allowed us to park further to one side so we were able to put the awning on the grass as we had a corner pitch next to the road - however the next day - another warden came and said we should move it \ not allowed to have it there due to fire regulations (all vans have to be 6 metres apart) but as we were next to the road, he agreed to let us keep it as is - this time 🤦♀️ - so I advise taking a thick groundsheet to use as a base if you have a thin bottomed awning that may tear.
For information on price, booking, directions - please see our campsite review.
(Thursday 17th September 2020)
We had a lazy morning, packing the van and the Lakes from where we live is about a 4hour journey - so we set off about 2ish, had a few toilet stops for the dog and arrived around about 7pm Thursday evening. So after setting up and mini dog walk we were about ready for bed!
(Friday 18th September 2020)
With arriving late and in the dark, we took today to familiarise ourselves with the campsite and the surrounding area and plan what it was we wanted to do for the next few days.
Ravenglass 'village' was so tiny and so quiet – there was a particular street, with row of gorgeous cottages, and a boarded up shop that lead to a boat access area for the estuary that I did find to have an almost eery feel to it - especially when you spot the old sign by the sea about bombs! One evening whilst watching the sun set Wander (and I) got scared by the faint sound of distant gunfire too which probably didn't help!
This 'eery' feel may just of been due to the fact that we visited during the middle of a pandemic and we'd all just come out of an isolated lock down, so it would be interesting to re visit and see if it changes at all, as it also disappeared once you got to the Train station and museum - guessing because it was a lot more touristy here (just a 5min walk difference).
Walking distance from the campsite we found a
Roman bath ruin (just a 7min walk) which we visited, and we also saw signs for
Muncaster castle which was said to be just an extra 20-30 minute walk (we didn't manage this however, as Dave was still waiting knee surgery and we weren't sure about them allowing dogs).
We decided to have a day trip out to visit Wastwater - Englands deepest lake which was just 25minute drive from the campsite. It was our first time to here – and fair to say it's become my favourite place in the Lake District so far!
We did however have the most traumatic experience ever trying to get there as the roads are quite narrow, one lane tracks with rugged stone walls and trees either side, and it ends with a dead end - it is not a through road..
..and to make it worse, there was a treasure hunt event on at the same time which we didn't know about,
the 2 Ball Rally. So we got stuck due to sheer amount of traffic. If we had of known we'd of probably planned to join in! or planned to of visited on
another day!
We did see another Urvan campervan though which was a treat! as they're very rare over here!
At the end of the road there is there is a National trust campsite and and Inn and camp site for tents only, but no camping for campervans and a car park 'Wastwater Car Park for Scarfel Pike'. The car park was very busy, and muddy, so many tourists had parked on the roads - ignoring the parking signs. We must of seen over a 100 cars that had parking tickets - at £30 a ticket that's over £3000 for one day's work!! Impressive!
We parked where the road spits (the sign post) before the single narrow road and parking notices and I believe as long as park sensible you won't get ticketed.
As we needed to find petrol and a supermarket - we decided to have a day trip out to Whitehaven . Here there was a big Tesco and Asda, and we drove past a Morrison and B&M Bargains on route. It was a lovely little fishing and mining village, with the buildings being built to look like a castle, resulting in old ruins dotted about. As well as an old knocked down bath house. however everything was closed due to it being a Sunday - and in the middle of a pandemic. Plenty of parking approx 5-2 minute walk from the docks - all seemed to except mobile payment however note if you park in Strand St car park, you only have 10 minutes to get your ticket - it took use about 14 minutes before purchasing a ticket as the machine was not accepting cash, and we had to make an account to pay on our phone and we arrived home to an eye-watering £100 parking fine! (we argued this and had it wavered but best to avoid if possible).
(Monday 21st September 2020)
STEAM TRAIN TO DALEGARTH
The main tourist attraction at Ravenglass would be the little steam train and museum. Here you can get a little steam train all the way to Dalegarth - a perfect hiking destination.
We were a little apprehensive about this at first as Wander hates anything loud and was proper cowering, trying to run away when we were just stood on the platform. However, after talking to the ticket office and being re assured we'd have a carriage to ourselves as well as requesting one with closing doors and as far away from the engine as possible we thought we'd give it ago - after all, she was fine on the boat last year, and it was only a 40min trip. You'll see by the photos below - it took her a while to get used to it, but eventually she settled and wanted to look out the window and sniff all the sniffs out the door.
Ticket's cost us £36 (£18 each, dogs were free - even got a poop bag and biscuits for her ❤️ ) Due to Covid regulations you needed to pre-book and it was one family per carriage - which worked perfectly for us and Wander. Some carriages were all enclosed, with windows and doors, perfect for dogs/small children and others were open bench seats perfect for the photographers amongst us. There is also a museum, cafe, shop and toilets.
more information can be found here .
At the other end there are two pubs, offering food and drink, a water mill - which is only open on 2 days of the week - so plan accordingly if you want to visit this and a couple of ice cream shops. There are multiple walks you can do from up here, more info can be found here - however as we visited during Dave's Knee injury time, so we just had a drink in the pub and headed back.
OVERALL
We absolutely loved our stay - it was quiet and stress free - minus the narrow busy roads and low bridges! And we're planning on visiting again once Dave's knee is better so we can do some walks around Scarfel, Wastwater, and Dalegarth. But unless you enjoy walking and hikes - it is sort of a once you've done it - you've done it kind of destination.
For more on the Lake District, click here.
