Major city · United Kingdom
Eskdale Green
Base here 2 nights if you want Eskdale walks and the La'al Ratty; skip it as a day trip from Keswick — the drive is 1 h 15 min each way.
Eskdale Green is a small village at the western end of the Eskdale valley in Cumbria, with the hamlet of Boot a short walk away. It is a walking base, not a sightseeing town: the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway ends at Dalegarth for Boot, and the fells above — Scafell Pike, Great Gable — start from the valley floor. Two nights covers the valley and one big walk; three if you want Hardknott Fort and Wast Water as well.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep
- avoid Dec–Feb (short days, ice on the passes), school holidays in Jul–Aug
- Airports
- MAN · NCL · LHR
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
- United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
- United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Eskdale Green999 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Eskdale Green, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the pound sterling (GBP, £).United Kingdom-wide
- SIM or eSIMEE, Vodafone (merged with Three in 2025) and O2 run the networks; prepaid SIMs sell in supermarkets, phone shops and airport vending machines…United Kingdom-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.United Kingdom-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant with table service: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.United Kingdom-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United Kingdom-wide
- SafetyA quiet, low-crime valley; the real risks are fell weather, steep single-track roads and patchy phone signal.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police, fire, ambulance · 101 police non-urgent · 111 NHS non-urgent
- Sundays & holidaysShops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 or 11:00–16:00 or 17:00).Shops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM–4:00 PM or 5:00 PM).United Kingdom-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMAN Manchester (About 2 h 30 min by car; the usual arrival airport for the western Lakes.).
- Getting aroundA car is the practical way to reach the valley and to move between Boot, Hardknott and Wast Water.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or tea in a café£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
- Sit-down mealPub main course£14–20 (≈ US$19–30)
- BeerPint of local ale£4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week£8–15 (≈ US$11–20)
- Museum or sight ticketEskdale Mill entrycheck
- Budget bedHostel bed (YHA Eskdale), a night, per person£25 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedInn double room, a night, per room£140 (≈ US$190)
- High-end bedInn double room, a night, per room£220 (≈ US$300)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £45 (≈ US$60) · Mid £90 (≈ US$120) · High £170 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MAN Manchester (About 2 h 30 min by car; the usual arrival airport for the western Lakes.) · NCL Newcastle (About 2 h 45 min by car across the A69 and A595.) · LHR London Heathrow (Train to Carlisle or Oxenholme, then car; a long transfer day.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Feb
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Mar
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Apr
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
May
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jun
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jul
Avoid
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Aug
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Sep
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Oct
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Nov
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Dec
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Jan (17 rain days), driest Apr (13). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Eskdale Green: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
17 rd
Feb
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
14 rd
Mar
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
15 rd
Apr
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
13 rd
May
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
13 rd
Jun
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
13 rd
Jul
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
14 rd
Aug
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
15 rd
Sep
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
15 rd
Oct
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
17 rd
Nov
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
17 rd
Dec
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
17 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is the practical way to reach the valley and to move between Boot, Hardknott and Wast Water. The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway runs from Ravenglass to Dalegarth for Boot and is the car-free option for the valley itself. Local buses are limited: check current timetables before relying on them.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Ravenglass
goDoor to door: About 40 min by train
Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway from Dalegarth for Boot, or by car down the valley
Coast village with a mainline station; pairs with the railway ride.
Hardknott Roman Fort
cautionDoor to door: About 20 min by car
Car over the Hardknott Pass, about 5 miles east of Eskdale Green
Free entry, daylight hours; the pass is steep and single-track.
Wast Water and Wasdale Head
goDoor to door: About 25 min by car
Car over the valley to the southern end of the lake
Start of the Scafell Pike path; inn at Wasdale Head for a pint after.
Keswick
skipDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
Car via the A595 and A66
Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep there instead.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Eskdale Green village
Store, station and the Bower House Inn; the most practical base without a car.
Boot
Two inns, the mill and the Dalegarth railway terminus; 20–30 min walk from Eskdale Green.
Wasdale Head
Closest beds to Scafell Pike and Wast Water; a 20–25 min drive over the valley.
Ravenglass
On the coast and the mainline railway; use it if you arrive by train and want a shorter first day.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- £45–75 (≈ US$60–100) excl. bed
- Mid
- £80–130 (≈ US$110–180) excl. bed
- High
- £150 (≈ US$200)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Inn double room1 × 2 nights × £140 | £280 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × £90 | £360 |
| Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway return, Dalegarth2 × £20 · check | £40 |
| Pub main course2 × £16 | £32 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × £10 | £20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £73 |
| Trip total≈ £201 per person per day, bed included | £805≈ US$1,100 |
2026 estimate in pounds; travel to the valley excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or tea in a café | £3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Pub main course | £14–20 (≈ US$19–30) |
| Pint of local ale | £4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway return, Dalegarth | about £20 (≈ US$30) (check) |
| Eskdale Mill entry | check |
| Hardknott Roman Fort | free |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | £8–15 (≈ US$11–20) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Hardknott Pass is single-track with gradients around 1 in 3 and is not for a large car or a nervous driver; check conditions and use the Eskdale side if unsure.
- Mobile signal is patchy in the valley and on the fells; download offline maps before you walk.
- Fell weather changes fast: carry waterproofs, water and a paper map even on a short walk.
- Book valley accommodation and the railway well ahead for weekends and school holidays.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 999
- Police non-urgent
- 101
- NHS non-urgent
- 111
- Mountain rescue (via 999)
- 999
Pocket card
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Eskdale GreenEskdale Green
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance999
- Police non-urgent101
- NHS non-urgent111
Embassy
No embassies in Cumbria; the US, Canadian, Australian, Irish and New Zealand embassies are in London. Consulates-general are in Edinburgh and Manchester (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, Ravenglass → Dalegarth: about £20 (≈ US$30) return, about 40 min (check)
- Taxi Eskdale Green → Ravenglass: check; few local taxis, book ahead
- Car park, valley car parks: check; bring coins or a card
Say or show
- Excuse me / Sorry — Excuse me / Sorry (—)
- Thank you — Thank you (—)
- Is this the path to Scafell Pike? — Is this the path to Scafell Pike? (—)
- How much is it? — How much is it? (—)
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card? (—)
- Where is the toilet? — Where is the toilet? (—)
English is the only language you need here.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Eskdale Green. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Jun, Sep · avoid Dec–Feb (short days, ice on the passes), school holidays in Jul–Aug · month by month →
- 3 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contracts for MAN and NCL: last sensible arrival times, car-hire cutoff, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Eskdale Green and Boot, Dalegarth and the mill, Hardknott, Wast Water.
- Place pages with verified access notes (Eskdale Mill, Hardknott Roman Fort, Giggle Alley, Ritson's Force) and eat pages with last orders.
- Weather and pass-closure fixtures so the Hardknott and fell pages can go green.
Sources
- officialEnglish Heritage — Hardknott Roman Fort
- officialRavenglass and Eskdale Railway
- officialEskdale Mill
- officialYHA Eskdale
- officialNational Trust — Wasdale campsite
- officialForestry England — Giggle Alley
- secondaryWikivoyage: Eskdale Green, revision 5042014 (CC BY-SA 4.0)