Welcome
At Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway we want to provide an enjoyable experience to everyone and are committed to providing as much information about our current facilities and future plans as we can. Don't just take our word for it, view our Euan's Guide listing here.
Welcoming visitors with additional access needs
We welcomed the team from Cumbria Tourism to create a film about how the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway welcomes visitors with additional access needs. This was released in support of the United Nations' International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Huge thanks to Cumbria Tourism for this brilliant production and to Samantha Bunting and Claire Winter-Moore, for appearing on camera and articulately explaining the available facilities and experience. Thank you also to the Adventure for Everyone project funded by UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and supported by Cumberland Council, for making this possible.
Changing Places Toilet Facility
We're delighted to announce that we have installed a Changing Places facility at our Ravenglass station. This state-of-the-art facility is carefully designed to support people with complex access needs, providing them with the right facilities to wash, change and use the toilet safely and with ease.
The toilet can be used by anyone, not just visitors to the railway, the Turntable Café and Ravenglass Railway Museum. Access by RADAR key between 9-5pm.
To find out more about Changing Places toilets, please visit their website here.
Detailed Access Guides with AccessAble
For accessibility information check out our detailed Access Guide on the AccessAble website.
AccessAble guides give you the information you need to work out if our railway is going to be accessible to you. Our detailed Access Guides tell you all about our venue's access. They are 100% facts, figures and photographs. Please call us on 01229 717171 if you have any questions.
Accessibility Maps
We have separated day out information into handy sections below. If you have any additional questions, please get in touch and our friendly staff will be more than happy to assist.
Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, Ravenglass, Cumbria, CA18 1SW
Dalegarth for Boot Station, Boot, Holmrook, Cumbria, CA19 1TG
Travel by Public Transport
- Northern Rail run train services to Ravenglass station from Carlisle, Whitehaven, Maryport and Grange-over-Sands from Monday to Saturday
- Carlisle links with Avanti West Coast direct from London, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester, and Birmingham (and intermediate stations), there is a link connecting with Newcastle and the East Coast mainline too
- There is a ramped walkway from the mainline to Ravenglass station
Travel by Car
- From M6 junction 36, follow the brown Western Lake District signs to Broughton-in-Furness, passing Newby Bridge on the A590 and turning right at Greenodd onto the A5092. From Broughton, follow the A595 to Silecroft T junction (turn right) and beyond
- From M6 junction 40, follow the brown Western Lake District signs past Keswick and Bassenthwaite Lake on the A66 towards Cockermouth, turn left at the Cockermouth roundabout onto the A5086, then follow the A5086 to Egremont where it joins the A595, and turn left for Ravenglass following the A595
- Please note, the station entrance is a concealed turning on the left between two railway bridges
Parking
- Disabled parking is available outside the booking office/shop and museum with level access
- There are approximately 80 Pay and Display car parking spaces
- Coach parking is free
- The car park is tarmac
- There are large directional signs
Ravenglass Station
- All public areas apart from the playground (accessible via gradual ramp) are on the same level with no steps
- The walkways are tarmac/paving (approx. 230cm wide)
- There are ladies and gents toilets, plus an accessible toilet and baby changing facilities, all with level access
- A wheelchair is available from the ticket office, please enquire for availability
- The Museum is accessible off the main car park via a ramp/walkway (door width 180cm)
- Changing Places facility on platform 1. Access by RADAR key between 9-5pm.
Dalegarth Station
- Parking is on a stone/gravel surface with clear signposting from the road
- Disabled parking (not designated) is near the entrance displaying a Blue Badge, additional parking is not bayed (both Pay and Display)
- To access the main platform exit the car park up a ramped walkway onto the main platform (tarmac surface)
- There are ladies and gents toilets, plus an accessible toilet (doorway width 95cm) on the main platform
- There are heated covered outside seating options on the car park level
Ravenglass Ticket Office/Shop
- There is level access through a double door entrance (140cm)
- Staff are happy to assist with any out of reach items in the shop
- Hearing loop in operation
- Wide walkways to manoeuvre inside
Ravenglass Café
- Entrance is a tarmac level walkway
- There is a low level counter (90cm tall)
- A lift is available (door width 120cm) to the upper floor which has a disabled toilet (door width 95cm)
- Pre-order food to avoid queues using our app
Museum
- Bright lighting inside
- Wide walkways around exhibits (min width 110cm)
- Internal ramp to some exhibits
- Entrance either via designated ramp/walkway (width 180cm) or via main door (slight ramp, 150cm)
Dalegarth Ticket Office, Café, and Gift Shop
- Main entrance is through double doors
- Ticket counter is low level (94cm tall)
- Additional café seating is available downstairs with toilet and baby changing facilities (access via car park or via stairs from upper level, no lift)
- Pre-order food to avoid queues using our app
- Ruth features foldable internal tables granting room for wheelchairs
- Closed carriages have a door width of 90cm
- Open carriages have a door width of 120cm
- Please book adapted carriages in advance so that we can properly accommodate for your trip
Accessibility Equipment
- We have hearing loops in the ticket office, cafés, and shops
- High chairs and large print menus for both cafés are available upon request
- A wheelchair is available for hire at Ravenglass station ticket office, please call for availability
- Accessible toilets are located at Ravenglass and Dalegarth stations
- Adapted carriages are available for wheelchair users, please book in advance
- First Aid boxes are carried on all trains and in shops
- Cumbria and Lancashire Stagecoach Disability Help Desk
- Email: cumbrianorthlancs.disabilityhelpdesk@stagecoachbus.com
- Telephone: 0845 609 1266
Customer Care
- Most staff have disability awareness training
- We have information available in large print
- Staff are available between 9 am and 5 pm when the railway is open
- Carers travel free with a fare-paying disabled passenger on production of a PIP or DLA certificate
- Please note that mobile phone reception is variable depending on your network, free Wi-Fi is available at both stations
- Familiarisation visits are available if requested (subject to staff availability)
- Guide and service dogs are welcome throughout the attraction
General
- Most staff have disability awareness training
- The train journey is approximately 40 minutes each way
- Staff are available between 9 am and 5 pm when the railway is open
- There are designated disabled parking bays at Ravenglass Station and unmarked disabled parking outside the entrance at Dalegarth for Boot Station
- Carers travel free with a fare-paying disabled passenger on production of a PIP or DLA certificate
- Assistance dogs are welcome in all areas
- There is a Changing Places facility at Ravenglass station. Access by radar key 9am -5pm.
Level Access
- There is a large pathway leading from the Ravenglass Station's car park to the booking office and other facilities
- At Ravenglass Station, there is level access to:
- Booking office/shop
- Changing Places facility
- Café
- Dalegarth for Boot Station has ramped platform and café/shop access
- Wheelchair-adapted carriages are available – please call in advance to book
- Ramped walkway from mainline Northern Rail platforms
Hearing
- We have hearing loops in the booking office, shops, and cafés
- Most staff have disability awareness training
Visual
- Clear signage is used throughout the railway with pictograms where appropriate
- Most walls and doors to main areas have high colour contrast
- High contrast markings on both platforms
- The attraction is well lit at night
- Large print café menus are available
- Audio commentary app available
Dementia
- Clear signage is used throughout the railway with pictograms where appropriate
- Familiarisation visits are available on request
- Changing Places facility at Ravenglass station
Autism
- Familiarisation visits are available on request
- We have a sensory story available here
- Changing Places facility (quiet space) at Ravenglass station
- If staying in one of our Pullman Camping Coaches, we offer contactless check-in so you can head straight to your accommodation with no queues or waiting around
- There is no background music in the booking office, shops, and cafés, however, music is sometimes played in these areas during events; please get in touch for details
