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Ravenstonedale
Ravenstonedale
is an unspoilt village near Kirkby
Stephen in the upper Eden valley. The region is classed
as an area of outstanding natural beauty with a wealth of activities
on hand, some of which are described below. Ravenstonedale lies
between the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District national parks.
This situation provides 'the best of both worlds' with the amenities
of both areas within modest driving distance. |
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Hill Walking
Ravenstonedale is surrounded by fells on all sides and offers
excellent opportunities for walking. The Howgill fells are nearby
and walkers can access the hills direct from the village. The
Howgills offer unrivalled walking with spectacular views in
an uncrowded area . There are many more footpaths, trails and
country lanes in the locality. A little further afield are the
Lake
District and Yorkshire
Dales national parks which offer walking amid spectacular
scenery. |
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Coast-to-Coast Walk
The Coast-to-Coast
walk (Orton/Raisbeck to Kirkby Stephen section) passes near
to Ravenstonedale. This makes the village a convenient point
for an overnight stay. |
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Fishing on the River Eden
The rivers Eden and Belah are close by for which permits are
available locally from Kirkby
Stephen Angling Association. The Eden provides fishing for
wild brown trout amid stunning Cumbrian scenery for which day
tickets are available. The Lake District is within easy driving
distance where a wealth of fishing in rivers and lakes is available. |
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Bessy Beck Trout Fishery
Bessy
Beck Trout Fishery is located at Newbiggin-on-Lune. It offers
bank fishing for rainbow trout in a country setting. There are
3 lakes offering both fly and bait fishing. There is a well
stocked fishing
tackle shop on site and a farm
shop offering an extensive range of local produce. |
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Golf
The Riverside
Golf Course, a short 9/18 hole course, lies within the village
of Ravenstonedale. The course is open all year round and visitors
are welcome to play for a modest fee. A more extensive 9/18
hole golf course, which also welcomes visitors, can be found
in Sedbergh approximately 15 miles away. Other golf courses
can be found at Appleby, Kirkby Stephen and Penrith.
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Smardale Nature Reserve
Within easy walking distance is Smardale
Nature Reserve. The reserve embraces the former railway
line that linked Tebay with the North East and therefore offers
easy walking if desired. The countryside within the reserve
is idyllic and wildlife is prolific. The reserve is only one
of 2 locations in England where the rare Scotch
Argus butterfly (Eribia aethiops) is found. |
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Tennis
There is an outdoor tennis court in Ravenstonedale which is
open to visitors for a modest fee. Details of how to book the
court are posted on the entrance to the court. |
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Classic Coach Tours
Cumbria
Classic Coaches offer a programme of trips around the area
on vintage coaches. |
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Horse Riding
The Eden Valley offers a beautiful setting in which to enjoy horse riding. For more information contact Stone Trail Holidays. |
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Cycling
Miles and miles of gently undulating country lanes await cyclists
who wish to explore the region by this method. |
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Bird Watching
Buzzards, curlews, woodpeckers and thrush are but just a few
of the species regularly sighted nearby. Within a short walk
bird-watchers can be well off the beaten track with the possibility
of sighting many species and the certainty of enjoying the wonderful
countryside. |
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Local History
The locality has much to offer those interested in local history.
For church enthusiasts, St. Oswald's church, rebuilt in 1744,
is famous for it's three-decker pulpit and its collegiate, in-facing
pews. In the grounds of the present church the foundations of
an earlier Gilbertine monastry have been excavated. The first
Lord Wharton cleared much of the land around Ravenstonedale
for a deer park and compelled local men to build the enclosing
wall, the remains of which can still be viewed in the vicinity. |
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Crown Green Bowling
There is a bowling green in nearby Kirkby Stephen which is open
to visitors. It is located close to the river Eden near Frank's
Bridge. |
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Settle-Carlisle
Railway
The Settle-Carlisle
railway, reputedly the most attactive line in the UK, winding
its way through some of the finest scenery in Britain, is just
2 miles away from Ravenstonedale. Ravenstonedale is an ideal
place from which to explore the line. There is no ticket office
at Kirkby Stephen but tickets can be booked on the train. |
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Newbiggin-on-Lune
Newbiggin-on-Lune is a small Cumbrian village nestling in a
valley at the foot of the Howgill fells. It lies in the parish
of Ravenstonedale about five miles from the market town of Kirkby
Stephen. The region is classed as an area of outstanding
natural beauty. Newbiggin-on-Lune lies between the Lake
District and Yorkshire
Dales national parks. |
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Kirkby Stephen
There is a Tourist Information Centre in Kirkby
Stephen where a wide variety of literature detailing local
activities and amenities is available. |
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Lake District
About 7 miles to the west of Ravenstonedale is Tebay and the
M6 which approximates to the Eastern boundary of the Lake
District National Park with its wealth of mountain and lakeland
scenery and associated activities. |
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Yorkshire Dales
Only a short drive away the Yorkshire
Dales offer undulating hills and dales featuring endless
limestone walls and field houses so characteristic of the area.
There are several possibilities for circular drives which take
in many villages with their small shops, galleries and hostelries. |
