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Despite having no lake Eskdale is one of the most beautiful and interesting valleys of the lake district. At the top of the Valley beside the challenging Hardknott pass is the Roman fort of Mediobogdum which is perched on a shelf of rock commanding a magnificent view down the length of the valley. A roman road ran the length of the valley to Glanaventa at Ravenglass and a roman tile manufactury was found at Park House under Muncaster Fell. Bronze-age remains cover the fell on Burnmoor and there is evidence of Norse settlement in the 10th century. |
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| Iron-ore had been mined and smelted in Eskdale since roman times and this give rise to the ‘La’al Ratty’ in the 19th century a narrow gauge steam railway which runs up the valley from Ravenglass now carrying tourists. Another form of heavy industry was quarrying for the sparkling pink granite that is also used to build many of the farmhouses. There are two water mills - Muncaster Mill and Boot Mill and packhorse bridges indicate that this was an important trading route before mechanised transport. | ||
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| Muncaster castle the home of the Penningtons is now also home for the World Owl Trust which breeds, and returns to the wild, endangered bird species. | ||
