School Visits to Eskdale Valley
Tailor-made school trips to Eskdale and Wasdale
The Eskdale Valley, in West Cumbria, is the perfect destination for your school residential visit. A wealth of activities and attractions await you in this secluded and picturesque corner of the Lake District. Choose to stay at YHA Eskdale or YHA Wasdale Hall.
Eskdale Valley stretches from Gosforth, near the west coast of Cumbria, through to the foot of Hard Knott pass, and contains the small villages of Santon Bridge, Boot and Eskdale Green.
The valley is notable as being one of few major valleys in the Lake District not to have its own lake, although several tarns are perched above the valley sides.
As a contrast, the nearby Wasdale Valley contains some of the most spectacular scenery in England. England's highest mountain, deepest lake and smallest church can all be found in the Wasdale Valley.
A quiet part of the Lake District, this area is the ideal destination for a school trip. Eskdale and Wasdale lend themselves perfectly to a range of outdoor activities and are home to some fabulous attractions.
The Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway passes through Eskdale on its route from Ravenglass on the coast, to Dalegarth near the village of Boot.
Hard Knott Roman Fort, one of the loneliest outposts of the Roman Empire, built between AD120 and AD138 is on a spectacular site overlooking the pass which forms part of the Roman road from Ravenglass to Ambleside. Muncaster Castle and The World Owl Centre, at the end of the valley, is a superb venue for a school visit.
Activities
Working in partnership with 'West Lakes Adventure', we can provide a range of activities during your stay.
Activities on offer include:
- Hill-walking
- Orienteering
- Rock climbing
- Abseiling
- Canoeing
- Paddle boarding
- Archery
- Ghyll scrambling
- Tyrolean Traverse
- Problem solving activities
Travel by Rail
As an alternative to travelling by coach, we can offer rail travel right into the heart of the Eskdale Valley. We can arrange rail travel from your nearest station to Ravenglass where you will transfer to the Ravenglass and Eskdale railway for the 7 mile journey to the heart of the Eskdale Valley. Upon arrival at Eskdale, you will be met at the station and will be transferred by minibus to your accommodation at YHA Eskdale or YHA Wasdale Hall. For further information on rail travel please contact us.
Sample itinerary
| Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | Journey to Muncaster. Visit to Castle and Owl Centre | Activity day – any 2 activities from our list | Self-guided countryside walk - maps and directions provided (can include a visit to Hardknott Roman Fort) |
| Afternoon | Single journey on the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway. Arrive and set up camp/transfer to YHA Eskdale |
