Distinctive estuarine setting nestled at the confluence of the Rivers Esk, Mite and Irt;
Sea-side location between the Irish sea and the Lakeland fells;
Medieval street pattern of main street with side lanes to ancient field system and the shore;
Historic layout of medieval market place comprising open space enclosed by buildings with narrow pinchpoints at either end to restrain animals or for defensive purposes;
The prevalent use of local building stone for walls and roofs, notably local cobblestone, sandstone, slate and granite, reflecting the underlying geology of the area;
Common use of roughcast render;
Almost all buildings have architectural and historic interest, including two listed buildings (Pennington House and The Bay Horse) and many others which make a positive contribution to the area’s historic character and appearance;
Good examples of 18th and early 19th century provincial dwellings together with a few vernacular farm buildings;
Characteristic Victorian dwellings (such as Walls Cottages) and municipal buildings (for example Parish Hall) built in the Arts and Crafts style;
Stone-built mid/late 19th century railway buildings, notably goods and engine sheds, stations and signal box, associated with both the Whitehaven and Furness Junction Railway and the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway;
Buildings developed by the Muncaster Estate at the turn of the 19th century, for example Parish Hall and adjoining buildings, Clifton Terrace, Walls Cottages;
Seaward views across the estuary from the edge of the conservation area which give the area a strong maritime feel;
Trees and greenery that soften the streetscene, most notably beside the approach road before the mainline railway bridge;
The Green, a public open space overlooking the estuary, and Millennium Garden, a small square with seating and pebble mosaic;
Small items that add to Ravenglass's local identity and recognisable sense of place, such as datestones, GR post box, cobbled surfaces.
