On numerous dates throughout the year, chartered steam train excursions travel the route transporting passengers to a bygone era. But alongside this, eight daily service trains, operated by Northern, travel up and down the picturesque line between Settle and Carlisle, carrying everyone from commuters to tourists. With plenty of visitor attractions accessible in between, the train is the perfect answer for a great day out.
As you travel along this world-famous route you will pass through stunning scenery and beautiful railway stations. A trip on the line not only gives fantastic long scenic views across hill and dale but also passes through the well-kept stations and gardens that are tended by the team of hard-working and enthusiastic volunteers. And each station has its own unique story…
Many people start their journey in Settle…
Settle
The bustling market town of Settle is known as the gateway to the Three Peaks – Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough, which covers about 160 kilometres of uplands in the Pennines.
Settle is an excellent base from which to embark on walks in the area taking in limestone scenery, majestic waterfalls, caves and much more.
Settle is also famous for being the starting point of the Settle-Carlisle Railway. It is a great place to begin your journey with a wealth of interesting shops, welcoming cafes and family friendly pubs.
The town is at its liveliest on Tuesdays, when the market takes place.
The large Derby Gothic style station building, which contains ticket office and shop, opened in 1876 and forms part of what was previously a much larger complex including a goods shed, weigh office, sidings, cattle dock, signal box and water tank. Goods facilities were withdrawn in 1970 but even today the water tank and Stationmaster’s house, although now in private ownership, provide evidence of the station’s past.
Horton-in-Ribblesdale
This pretty village sits either side of the River Ribble and under the flanks of Pen-y-Ghent, the lowest of the three peaks at 2,277 feet (694m). It’s therefore a popular spot for walkers, runners and cyclists.
Also worth a visit is the Grade I listed village church, dedicated to St Oswald. The church has a complete Norman nave, south door and tub-font and is the most complete of the Norman churches built in the Yorkshire Dales after the Norman conquest.
Ribblehead
Perhaps one of the most famous and photographed parts of the line is the viaduct that Spans Batty Moss, just north of Ribblehead Station.
Ribblehead is surrounded by the vastness and remoteness of the Yorkshire Dales landscape. The peaks of Ingleborough and Whernside dominate the local scenery and westerly winds howl up the valley much of the year. Conditions in winter (and summer in some cases) can be very challenging.
The area has a stillness and remoteness, which is only broken by the rumble of a passenger or freight train over the viaduct. This acts as a reminder that the Settle-Carlisle line not only offers a wonderful trip for people but is a vital connection for communities, trade and industry.
Ribblehead Station has a café which is staffed by volunteers, as well as the Ribblehead Visitor Centre, which provides an overview of the history of the station and the viaduct. A touch screen display allows visitors to view the line between Settle and Blea Moor tunnel, as well as finding out more about some of the stations along the line.
The Stationmaster’s house has also been renovated and is available for holiday bookings.
Dent
After travelling across the imposing Ribblehead Viaduct, the train makes its way into an even more remote landscape travelling up to Dent, England’s highest mainland station at 1,150 feet above sea level and giving passengers spectacular views of Dentdale.
The station building has been converted is privately owned and is available to let as a holiday cottage.
The village of Dent is about four miles from the unmanned station.
Garsdale
A lovely station which, typical of all on the line, you will find beautifully kept garden areas and planters lovingly cared for by local volunteers. It is also home to a moving story of man’s best friend.
On a northern end of the southbound platform sits a bronze statue of a dog called Ruswarp, whose owner was Graham Nuttall, one of the two founders of the Friends of the Settle-Carlisle line.
Ruswarp first found fame in the 1980s when his paw print was added to a petition to save the line from closure. Less than a year after the line was saved, in January 1990 Graham and Ruswarp, aged 14, set off for a walk in the Welsh hills but they didn’t return. Almost 11 weeks later Graham’s body was found. Ruswarp had stayed nearby his master and was weak and unable to walk. He was nursed back to health and attended Graham’s funeral. A bench on the Northbound platform commemorates Graham Nuttall and Ruswarp’s statue gazes towards it.
The line from Garsdale rises to Ais Gill in Cumbria and paves its way into the beautiful Eden Valley.
Kirby Stephen
The popular market town of Kirby Stephen attracts tourists from far and wide for its picturesque setting and its historic buildings, cobbled yards and array of shops, from butchers and bakers to bookshops, craft shops and galleries.
It also has a great selection of places to eat and drink.
The station cottage is available as a holiday let.
Appleby
The platforms at Appleby Station are 200 yards long, making them the longest on the line having originally been built for the purposes of the Anglo-Scottish express trains. The station is set quite high above the town but there is a well signposted walk to the town centre.
Located in a bend of the River Eden, Appleby is a lovely town with beautiful scenery. In fact the town centre is a starting point for numerous walks across the local fell countryside.
There is also a good selection of shops and places to eat. Appleby Castle which proudly stands over the town is a great place to visit. It has been held by the Kings of England and Scotland and has one of the few remaining intact Norman Keep. The Castle boasts an interactive experience which explains the Norman occupation intertwined with the history of the castle dating back to Roman times. applebycastle.org
The world-famous Appleby Fair was set up by charter in 1685 for horse-trading and takes place for a week in June.
Carlisle
The final destination on this world-famous route is the charming, 2,000-year-old border city of Carlisle. With its long and rich history Carlisle is also popular for shopping and sight-seeing. The city centre is only a five minutes’ walk from the train station.
Carlisle Cathedral is a popular place to visit with its stained-glass windows, medieval paintings and painted ceilings. carlislecathedral.org.uk
The Tullie House Museum offers galleries, replicas of a Roman street and an Edwardian railway carriage. tullie.org.uk
