Adventure on the ‘La’al Ratty Ravenglass to Eskdale train – Cumbria

Published on by Mélodie

Last friday Marcus and I went with my colleague and his girlfriend on a little adventure on the ‘La’al Ratty. The Ravenglass to Eskdale Railway, also called the ‘La’al Ratty train is celebrating its 150 years this year. The train commercially opened in 1875 to transport iron ore from Booths to Ravenglass, where it was then loaded onto the Furness Railway to Barrow. In 1876, the train opened to passenger traffic. Over the years, the train line closed and re-opened several times under new management companies and with major refurbishment every time to make the line safer.

Vendredi dernier Marcus, mon collègue, sa petite-amie et moi sommes partis en aventure sur le ‘La’al Ratty. La ligne de train Ravenglass à Eskdale, aussi appelée le ‘La’al Ratty train, célèbre ses 150 ans cette année. Le train ouvrit en 1875 pour transporter les minerai de fer du village de Booths jusqu’à Ravenglass où il était chargé sur des trains en direction de Barrow. En 1976, the train ouvrit aux passagers. Au cours des ans, la ligne de train ferma et re-ouvrit plusieurs fois avec différents propriétaires et après avoir été rénové pour la rendre plus sûre.

Read more – Visit of Muncaster Castle.

Ravenglass to Eskdale train, Cumbria
Ravenglass station

Nowadays, the passenger train operates 7 days a week from mid-March to end of October, with limited opening days during winter months. During Christmas they even do a special Santa’s train. They have different types of carriages: fully open, half open, totally closed with some more luxury than others. The train is dog friendly, which is great. The train takes around 40 minutes to do the 7 miles journey. Passing at the bottom of Muncaster Fells, the train allows to enjoy the beautiful scenery. It is possible to go from one end of the line to the other or to stop at one of the little stations. This little train is a great way to discover that area of the Lake District National Park and it is even possible to combine it with a walk.

De nos jours, le train est ouvert 7 jours sur 7 de mi-Mars à fin Octobre et certain jours pendant les mois d’hiver. Ils ont même un train spécial pour Noël. Il y a plusieurs types de wagons: totalement ouvert, à moitié ouvert, fermé et même certains plus luxueux que d’autres. Le train accepte même les chiens. Le train met environ 40 minutes pour faire le voyage de 7 miles. Passant en bas des sommets de Muncaster Fells, le train permet de profiter de la beauté du paysage. Il est possible d’aller d’un bout à l’autre de la ligne ou de s’arrêter dans l’une des petites gares. Le petit train est un bon moyen de découvrir cette partie du parc national du Lake District et même de combiner avec un randonnée.

Find all our walks starting from Ravenglass and surrounding villages here.

Ravenglass to Eskdale train, Cumbria
Turning the locomotive at Dalegarth station

We took the first train of the day starting from Ravenglass up to Dalegarth. We were in one of the open carriages and luckily the weather was very nice which made the ride very enjoyable. Marcus was very excited and absolutely loved observing the cows and sheeps in the fields. Once at Dalegarth, we watched the driver and assistant turning the locomotive before heading toward the children playground. We had decided to take the first train back to Ravenglass, which was giving us 40 minutes at Dalegarth. After several up and down the slide in the playground, we went for an ice cream before jumping in one of the half-opened carriages for the way back. Once back at Ravenglass, we decided to go for a short stroll on the beach before driving back home. It was a perfect morning exploring somewhere new close to home.

Nous avons pris le premier train de la journée depuis Ravenglass jusqu’à Dalegarth. Nous étions dans l’un des wagons ouverts et vu qu’il faisait beau, le voyage fut très agréable. Marcus était très excité et a adoré observé les vaches et moutons dans les champs. Une fois à Dalegarth, nous avons regardé le conducteur et son assistant tourner la locomotive avant d’aller à l’aire de jeux. Nous avions décidé de prendre le premier train pour repartir à Ravenglass, ce qui nous laissé 40 minutes de temps libre à Dalegarth. Après plusieurs tours sur le toboggan à l’aire de jeux, nous sommes allés manger une glace avant de monter dans l’un des wagons qui avait un toit. Une fois à Ravenglass, nous sommes allés sur la plage pour une petite promenade avant de repartir à la maison. Ce fût une petite matinée parfaite à explorer un nouvel endroit proche de chez nous.

Have you been on the La’al Ratty train?

Avez vous déjà été sur le ‘La’al Ratty train?

Information to visit the La’al Ratty Ravenglass to Dalegarth train:

  • La’al ratty website
  • Fees apply
  • Large car park by the station and in the village – fees apply
  • Dog friendly
  • Family friendly; however carriages are too small to fit pushchairs
  • Toilets, cafe and playground area at Ravenglass and Dalegarth station

Looking for more activities to do in Cumbria, visit this page. For all our adventures in the United Kingdom it is here.

43 thoughts on “Adventure on the ‘La’al Ratty Ravenglass to Eskdale train – Cumbria”

  14. Thank you for the trip down memory lane. We took the La’al Ratty years ago when we spent a few days in the Lake District hiking around Wastwater and Scafell Pike. I really enjoyed it. Glad you did too 😊

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  16. I have been on the La’al Ratty. It’s great and very dog friendly. I was staying in Eskdale, walked to Ravenglass along the Esk Trail, caught the La’al Ratty to Applegarth (Boot) and then caught it back to Eskdale Green. I would heartily recommend as many people as possible travel on the train as the scenery is lovely along most of the track and the continued use of the train keeps it in service, with local people employed. 👍

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  18. Pingback: C’est le 1er, version juillet 2025 | Un Coup de Foudre

    1. Oh yes you should and also use it to do a great walk. So many options either from Dalegarth or any of the little stations or even walking back to Ravenglass.

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  20. This sounds like a great day out for the whole family! The Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway looks like a fun and enjoyable experience. I love trains, especially heritage narrow-gauge railways like these, as they offer scenic rides through a beautiful countryside. I also love the heritage steam and diesel locomotives because they add a charming, old-fashioned element to the ride. Thanks for sharing, and have a wonderful day 🙂 Aiva xx

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