Esk View The Big Red House
Eskdale is a wonderful valley, quieter than some of its more easterly neighbours maybe due to its location, afterall it does take an extra 30 minute to get here from the motorway! There are lots of things to see - Castles, Roman Forts, Narrow Guage Railway, Owl Centre, and do - Walking, Climbing, Canoeing, Biking etc. There is even a working watermill just a few minutes walk from the house.
Two major attractions in the valley are the Art Festival run over the second Bank Holiday in May and the Eskdale Show on the last Saturday in September - this is a traditional Lakeland shepherds show where among other things you can see the prime of Herdwick sheep being exhibited and judged, also fell racing and hound trailing.
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Local Images
Willan beck is a small river running down through the village of Boot, joining the Esk just below the vicarage. Above Boot the Willan cascades down from Burnmoor Tarn past pretty waterfalls to the working watermill in Boot Village.
Brook House Inn is the nearest pub to Esk View. To find Esk View from Brook House just come down the lane opposite the pub, it is about 350 metres, if you carry on down the lane you will come to the River Esk and St. Catherines church.
Eskdale stretches from near Scafell all the way to the Irish Sea at Ravenglass. Esk View is situated in the central part of the valley the mountain to the back of the picture is harter fell.
Eel Tarn is a 45 min walk from eskview, Harter fell can be seen across the valley. Eskdale is a wonderful area for walking with something to suite all abilities. In winter the high fells can be challenging, but the valley is usually clear of snow with its position to the west of the higher fells. Eskdale also gets less rain than other areas of the Lakes and is usually the first place to brighten up on dull days.
Just a short walk through the through the old oak woodlands of Eskdale and you will find the stunning Dalegarth Falls
( also refered to as Stanley Ghyll falls). This is one of the most impressive waterfalls in all of the Lake District and on a spring day
when the sunlight dapples the thick carpet of moss and ferns and the green leaves are most vibrant, it is a walk not to be missed.
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In Autumn the colours are glorious when the sun is low in the sky and dark clouds hang over the fell tops.
Eskdale has a plethora of wildlife from natterjack toads out on the dunes near Ravenglass to deer roaming the fells and woods.
Red squirrels are common but you have to be patient and quiet to spot them! Step outside at night and listen for the foxs' bark or the high pitched skriek of a barn owl.
The Ravenglass to Eskdale railway affectionately known as La'al Ratty terminates at Dalegarth station which is just a short walk from Esk View. The train steams down to Ravenglass and the trip takes about 45 minutes, It is a great way to view the valley and its wildlife which does
not seem to be disturbed by the passing train. From Ravenglass you can visit the historic Muncaster Castle and its owl centre.
To get the adrenilin flowing mountain bikes can be hired from Dalegarth station. Eskdale has some great off road biking routes and you can even cycle down to Ravenglass and bring the bikes back on the train!.
Wasdale which was voted the "best view in England" is just a 20 minute drive from Boot. For lakes with water sports Windermere and Coniston are about 45 mins away and provide a great variety of boats for hire and training so you can gain some new skills whilst on holiday!
Christmas at Esk View
