Eskdale is a valley in the western Lake District National Park in Cumbria, England. The River Esk flows through the valley to its estuary at Ravenglass. The valley is notable in being one of few major valleys in the Lake District not to have its own lake, although several tarns are perched above the valley sides.
Along with other western valleys of the Lake District, Eskdale is notably quieter during the high summer season than the more accessible eastern areas. Nevertheless, one of the Lake District's most popular tourist attrations, the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, runs through the valley.
The main access to the valley is from the western end; however, there is also a steep pass with a motor road leading out of the valley to the east over Hardknott Pass, as well as a road with beautiful views leading southwards over Birker Fell to the village of Ulpha in the Duddon Valley.
The manor of Eskdale belongs to the barony of Egremont, but the farms have been enfranchised, and are now discharged of fines, heriots, and customary service, except the payment of door-toll and greenhew, doing suit and service at the courts leet and baron, etc., at Ravenglass.
Eskdale Chapel, which stands near Boot, fourteen miles from the mother church, is dedicated to St. Catherine.
The interest of £137 has been left by several donors for the education of the poor of Eskdale, and the interest of a further sum of £400 is divided on the first Sunday after Easter, among the poor who have not received parochial relief during the year.
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