The Lancashire Rail Ramblers programme of Yorkshire Dales Explorer guided walks has now finished but there is still plenty to do if you want to explore the Ribble Valley and the Yorkshire Dales and beyond.
Appleby Castle – photo © Appleby Castle Hotel
Using the outward service, you can still connect into a northbound service on the Settle to Carlisle Line at either Hellifield or Ribblehead and spend some time in Appleby or Carlisle.
Carlisle Cathedral – photo © National Churches Trust
Carlisle Cathedral – Saturdays 07:30 – 17:00
Carlisle Cathedral is a Grade I listed Anglican cathedral in the city of Carlisle, Cumbria, England. It was founded as an Augustinian priory and became a cathedral in 1133. It is also the seat of the Bishop of Carlisle. Carlisle is the second smallest of England’s ancient cathedrals.
Carlisle Castle – photo © English Heritage
Carlisle Castle – Saturdays 10:00 – 17:00
Carlisle Castle is a stone keep medieval fortress located in the city of Carlisle near the ruins of Hadrian’s Wall. First built during the reign of William II in 1092 and rebuilt in stone under Henry I in 1122, the castle is over 930 years old and has been the scene of many episodes in British history.
Free for English Heritage Members and £11.30 adult £6.80 for non-members
A wide range of traders – traditional butchers, fruit & veg, cheese, pies & cooked meats, gifts, haberdashery, home essentials & much more.
Carlisle Market Hall – photo © Rose and Trev Clough
Carlisle Market Hall – Saturdays 09:00 – 17:00
Carlisle Market Hall is a market hall located in Carlisle, Cumbria, England. It was built between 1887 and 1889 for Carlisle Corporation by Arthur Cawston and Joseph Graham, both of Westminster, with ironwork manufactured by Cowans, Sheldon & Company. It is one of the few covered Victorian markets remaining in the country. A wide range of traders – traditional butchers, fruit & veg, cheese, pies & cooked meats, gifts, haberdashery, home essentials & much more.
Appleby Castle – Saturdays 10:30 – 14:30 (Grounds only) and booking is essential on https://applebycastle.co.uk/TICKETSONLINE/ £5 per adult & £3 per child
Appleby Castle is in the town of Appleby-in-Westmorland overlooking the River Eden. It consists of a 12th-century castle keep which is known as Caesar’s Tower, and a mansion house.
Using the first return service from Ribblehead, with connections from the Carlisle and Leeds directions you can explore the Ribble Valley and beyond.
Other Things to do using the Yorkshire Dales Explorer
Clitheroe
There are plenty of places to eat, drink and visit in Clitheroe including:
Clitheroe Castle & Museum – open Saturdays 11:00 – 16:00, approximately 10 minutes from the station
Clitheroe Market – open Saturdays 09:00 – 16:00 (a traditional open-air market), approximately 5 minutes from the station.
Byrnes Independent Wine Merchants Shop and Warehouse, shop 5 minutes from station & warehouse 10 minutes from station.
Art Galleries – there a number of art galleries in Clitheroe including The Platform Gallery that is right next to the station, which holds regular exhibitions and sells handmade crafts from local and countrywide makers. Open 10:00 – 16:00
Whalley
A good number of cafes and pubs available in the village centre, approximately 10 minutes from the station.
Whalley Abbey & East Gatehouse – visit the ruins of this former Cistercian abbey, mostly demolished after the dissolution of the monasteries, 10 minutes directly from the station or approximately 15 minutes via the village centre.
Whalley Wine Shop & Bar – a top end wine shop and bar in the centre of the village, approximately 10 minutes from the station. Shop open 10:30 – 18:00 and the Wine Bar opens at 12:00 but booking is essential on thewhalleywinebar.com/
Langho
Northcote Manor – experience lunch in one of Lancashire’s finest Michelin starred restaurants, 5 minutes from the station. Booking essential on northcote.com/dining-at-northcote/the-restaurant/.
Blackburn
There is a lot to explore in Blackburn and the town centre is just a short walk from the station. Here are some things that you might like to go and see.
Blackburn Cathedral offers the chance to explore the stunning architecture, rich history and one of the country’s best collections of religious art including Penny Warden’s ‘The Journey’ and a 35ft sculpture, ‘Healing of the Nation’ on the exterior – often described as one of the most innovative pieces of modern sculpture at any English cathedral. The cathedral is just two minutes from the station and is open on Saturdays 08:30 – 16:30.
Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery is the local museum service for the borough of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council. It is a museum with collections of Christian icons, Egyptian hieroglyphs, and local history, as well as those of the former Lewis Textile Museum. The museum is approximately 10 minutes from the station and is open on Saturdays 11:00 – 16:45.
Blackburn Market is a modern take on a traditional indoor market with food and clothing stalls and much more. Just five minutes from the station it is open 09:00 – 16:00 on Saturdays.
Darwen
Darwen Market – Saturdays 08:00 – 16:00
Our range of food stalls rivals the very best farmers markets with fresh, locally sourced produce and regional specialities. You won’t find any excess plastic packaging here and our fruit hasn’t come from the deep freeze! Everything is freshly picked each week giving you longer lasting, better tasting food. And, with meat that travels on average less than 2 miles from farm to stall, we give a whole new meaning to shopping local.
But the food is just the start. Our market has got you covered for all the essentials from key cutting to gift shopping, arts and crafts or picture restoration.
For more information about the Yorkshire Dales Explorer including times and fares visit Yorkshire Dales Explorer and for other suggestions of places to visit Places to Visit