Countrystride #67: Ghosts on the coast

...in which we stride out from the dunes of Drigg, destination Ravenglass, to celebrate the opening of the first Cumbrian stretch of the English Coast Path. In the company of Ange Harker – Lead Adviser on Natural England’s North West Coastal Access team – we discuss the grand vision of the 2,795-mile long-distance path, latest to join the country's family of national trails, and hear about her favourite stretches, including isolated Cumbrian beaches that have never before enjoyed public access. Then, joining Peter Frost-Pennington on the approach to Ravenglass, we learn about the village's history as a thriving Roman port then busy medieval thoroughfare before encountering remnants of the Esk's once-bounteous salmon garth. Finally, mists cloaking the Lakeland fells, we end our journey at Muncaster Castle – seat of the Penningtons and one of the country's most haunted homes – to enjoy a Hallowe'en ghost story...

 

• You can find Ange on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ange_harker
• For more about visiting Muncaster Castle, see https://www.muncaster.co.uk
• For more about the English Coast Path see https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/en_GB/trails/england-coast-path/route-descriptions/