Tomorrow is the 50th anniversary of The Ratty Arms, and we’re looking back at the quirky pub and its eventful life.


It was officially opened on June 13, 1974, by the then chief executive of the English Tourist Board, after British Rail’s original buildings came under the ownership of the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway Company.

Its general manager had the idea of converting them into to a pub.
The Ratty Arms is uniquely sited on the train platform at Ravenglass station, where people can enjoy watching the trains go past while they relax with traditional food and drink.

It has recently undergone a revamp and is now proving popular with a new generation of visitors. 
Our main picture shows the front of the extensive pub, with seating outside for those waiting for trains.

(Image: Cumbria Tourism)
Above is the newly refurbished interior, which reflects its traditional country character.

(Image: Cumbria Tourism)
An old black and white photograph taken prior to the 1970s shows the buildings before they became The Ratty Arms.

(Image: Newsquest)
Fast forward to 2009, and the pub suffered damage to the roof in a fire.

Pictured are workers putting up scaffolding to repair it.

(Image: Newsquest)
An artwork of a train inside the buildings is shown with Tom Dell sitting in front of it.

(Image: Newsquest)
The Ravenglass Village Forum produced a monochrome leaflet entitled A Quick Look at Ravenglass and it was decided that this should be revamped.

It was replaced by a full colour one including photographs in the hope of attracting more visitors to the village. 

Pictured are Shirley Broadhurst and Ann Edwards discussing the new leaflet with Gordon Wilson, landlord of The Ratty Arms.

(Image: Newsquest)
When landlady Beverley McCartney was keen to see the plans for the showhome at the new Story Homes’ Fairways estate at St Bees, she simply asked chairman Fred Story.

He let her have them in return for a £1,000 donation to the Have a Heart Scanner Appeal.

(Image: Newsquest)
In 2005, The Ratty Arms quiz team went on TV’s Fact Hunt show.

(Image: Newsquest)
Our final picture shows John o’ Gaunt Morris Men dancing outside The Ratty Arms.

They certainly look like they’re having fun.