Dog-friendly walks in Ravenglass

Just under five miles and a little over two hours, 90 metres of climb: out of Ravenglass past the Roman bath house, up through Muncaster's woods to the terrace above the estuary and back by the shore. It starts at the Ravenglass village car park by the station, which is free, holds around 60 cars and is served by the Cumbrian Coast railway - the easiest car-free walk on this side of the county. The estuary shore gives a mile of firm sand at low tide and the woodland is shaded and enclosed, but check the tide before you commit to the beach return, the Muncaster estate keeps sheep in the terrace fields, and the last stretch into the village is on the shared road with no pavement.

About two miles of made paths through seventy-seven acres of wild woodland garden above the Esk, taking in the Terrace, the long grass walk that Ruskin is supposed to have called the gateway to paradise, and looping down through the Sino-Himalayan plantings and back by the Stable Yard. The rhododendrons are the reason most people come in May, but the Terrace view up Eskdale to Scafell is the reason to bring a dog in October. Dogs are admitted on a lead at no extra charge beyond a dog ticket bought on arrival, and there is a dedicated dog seating area at the 2pm Sky Hunters flying display on the Flying Meadow. Dogs cannot go into the castle state rooms or the Hawk and Owl Centre at all.