Eskdale (Cumbria)

The Eskdale valley is a valley formed by a glacier in Cumbria in England, which runs east-west direction, and a civil parish. In Eskdale 264 inhabitants ( 2001) live.

The River Esk flows through the valley to its estuary at Ravenglass. The valley is one of the few valleys of the Lake District, which does not have a larger lake. Some small lakes are located on the slopes of the valley.

From Ravenglass in the west, a road leads into the valley, which continues to the east over the Hardknott Pass.

The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway runs between Ravenglass and boat through the valley and is in addition to the surrounding mountain ranges, the main tourist attraction of the valley.

The area of Eskdale was named in 2012 after a first trial as one of two possible final repository for highly radioactive waste in Cumbria by the British government. More detailed studies should determine the suitability of the area from 2013. However, the selection process is partly due to the potential impact that could have such a repository on tourism, highly controversial and the communities involved have requested more time to make their decision on the progress of the search.