Eskdale Green is a small village in Cumbria at one end of the Eskdale Valley. The hamlet of Boot has an old corn mill in the heart but wander south away from the mill to find the little old church by the river. The only sounds to be heard are the water, the birds and probably the odd sheep. To the north is Wast Water and the highest lake district peaks of Scarfell and Scarfell Pike.
Get in
editIt can be found when travelling by car from Holmrook on the western coast of Cumbria or more popularly by train from Ravenglass. The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, better known as the La'al Ratty, winds its way from Ravenglass on the coast through the valley of Eskdale past 1 Eskdale Green (Green Station). and terminates at 2 Dalegarth for Boot station. .
Get around
editSee
editBoot is but a stones throw from the terminus of the railway and is probably of more interest to the traveller.
1 Hardknott Roman Fort, Hardknott Pass, CA19 1TH (about 5 miles east of Eskdale Gren). reasonable daylight hours. Remains of a Roman fort built between about 120 and 138 CE, on a Roman road through the Hardknott Pass. free.
2 Eskdale Mill. Volunteer-run working water mill. The earliest recorded history of the mill is 1294, when the annual rent was 19s6d (98p).
Do
edit1 Giggle Alley Woodland. A wood with the remains of a Japanese garden designed in 1914. free.
2 Birker Force.
3 Ritson's Force (follow Mossdale Beck). a set of waterfalls
Climb
edit4 Scafell Pike (pronounced "Scaw-fell"). Highest point in England. This "highest" designation leads to a lot of traffic, and visitors who want to experience a high Lakeland Fell may want to choose another. Some of the slightly smaller fells are in fact much more rewarding to climb as well as offering better views.
5 Great Gable.
Buy
edit1 Eskdale stores. General store with grocers downstairs and outdoor clothing upstairs.
Eat
edit1 Bower House Inn, ☏ +44 1946723244, info@bowerhouseinn.com. Noon-9PM. Historic 17th-century coaching inn, with 20 en-suite rooms, bar & restaurant.
Drink
edit1 The Boot Inn, Boot, CA19 1TG, ☏ +44 1946 723 711, enquiries@thebooteskdale.co.uk.
2 The Brook House, Boot, CA19 1TG, ☏ +44 1946 723 288.
3 The Woolpack Inn, Boot, Holmrook, CA19 1TH, ☏ +44 1946 723 230, office@greendoor.me. A former 16th-century coaching inn, which also has adjoined Hardknott brewery.
4 Wasdale Head Inn, Wasdale Head, CA20 1EX, ☏ +44 1946 726 229, reception@wasdale.com. The nearest hotel to Scarfell Pike, ideal for a pint after climbing it.
Sleep
editChurch Stile Farm Holiday Park. Near Nether Wasdale.
1 YHA Eskdale, Holmrook, CA19 1TH. Hostel in 15 acres of grounds. beds from £10, rooms from £29, camping £12.
2 YHA Wasdale Hall, Wasdale House, Wasdale, CA20 1ET (at the southern end of Wast Water), ☏ +44 3453 719 350, wasdalehall@yha.org.uk. Check-in: 5PM, check-out: 10AM. Hostel in 19th century country manor house. £35 in shared room.
Camping
edit3 Wasdale National Trust Campsite, Wasdale Head, CA20 1EX, ☏ +44 1539 432 733, lakescampsites@nationaltrust.org.uk. £22 for 2 nights for a medium tent.