CRL - Community Rail Lancashire

Local Places to Visit

Community Rail Lancashire supports sustainable transport and is keen for people to use public transport and to leave the car at home or local station.

All of the attractions below are easily accessed by rail and are only a short walk from the nearest station unless otherwise stated.

Blackburn Cathedral, is one of England’s newest Cathedrals, yet it is one of the country’s oldest places of Christian worship. For many centuries, this has been the Parish Church of Blackburn dedicated to St. Mary the Virgin. It continues as a place of prayer and worship and is at the centre of the Diocese which takes in almost the whole of Lancashire. Open daily – visit http://www.blackburncathedral.com/ for times of worship and events. Nearest station – Blackburn (5 mins walk)

Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery, The Museum and art gallery hosts a wide range of exhibitions, events and activities and also has collections of Japanese prints, the Hart collection of books, coins and medieval manuscripts, an award-winning South Asian gallery, the history of Blackburn, the Egyptian Mummy, Fine and Decorative Art and the Bowdler collection of world beetles.  Open Wednesdays to Saturdays 12:00 – 16:45 with Free admission full details on https://blackburnmuseum.org.uk/ Nearest station – Blackburn (10 mins walk)

British in India Museum, Nelson, the museum was opened in 1972 and contains a fascinating collection of materials relating to the British Rule in India. Open Monday to Friday small admission charge (£2.50) – full details on http://www.visitpendle.com/things-to-do/british-in-india-museum-p7152 Nearest station – Nelson (20 mins walk)

Carnforth Station Heritage Centre, the famous setting for the David Lean film Brief Encounter, the station has been lovingly restored and is now an award winning Heritage Centre and unique conference venue. Open daily – full details on http://www.carnforthstation.co.uk/ On Carnforth station 

Clitheroe Castle & Castle Museum, Clitheroe Castle stands high on Castle Hill, an image which has dominated Clitheroe’s skyline for over 800 years. The museum in the shadow of the keep tells the story of Clitheroe and its surrounding area: the formation of the land 350 million years ago; the people who have lived in the area – their work, their homes, their leisure times; and legends and folklore. With something for everyone to unleash your imagination Clitheroe Castle & Museum makes for a great day out. Open daily – Castle free and the Museum has small charge & accompanied children go free! Full details on this link: Clitheroe Castle Nearest station – Clitheroe (10 mins walk)

Croston is an attractive village in West Lancashire with much to offer the visitor from including walks and a variety of pubs and cafes. https://cornerstonetherapy.com/cialis-online/

The Grundy Art Gallery, Blackpool, its stunning architecture hosts an extensive programme of temporary exhibitions including historical, modern and contemporary art. The Grundy shop specialises in contemporary jewellery produced by emerging designer/makers. Open Monday to Saturday with free admission – full details on https://www.grundyartgallery.com/
Nearest station – Blackpool North (5 mins walk) 

Happy Mount Park, Morecambe, a traditional park with an adventure playground, summer splash area, sports pitches and a café. Open daily with free admission to the park but some attractions charge – full details on http://www.happymountpark.co.uk/ Nearest station – Morecambe 

Harris Museum, Preston, a great day out for all the family, the Harris Museum, Art Gallery & Library is a treasure trove of fantastic art and fascinating objects. Come and explore our remarkable collections of fine art, costume and textiles, ceramics and glass and history, all housed in a stunning Grade I listed building in the heart of Preston. Open daily – free admission, full details on http://www.harrismuseum.org.uk/ Nearest station – Preston (10 mins walk)

The Haworth Art Gallery, Accrington, The Haworth Art Gallery is an Edwardian arts and crafts house set in 9 acres of its own parkland. This stunning mansion is the perfect setting for the internationally renowned collection of Tiffany Glass, reputed to be the largest public collection outside of the USA. Limited opening with free admission – full details on https://www.hyndburnbc.gov.uk/haworthaccrington/
Approx 25 minute walk or regular bus service http://www.trauma-pages.com/s/viagra-online.php

Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, step back in time on The Railway Children’s Railway in the heart of Brontë Country and enjoy a steam filled action packed day out! Steam and diesel operations throughout the year – full details on http://kwvr.co.uk/ Adjacent to Keighley mainline station      

Lancaster Castle, is one of the UK’s most significant historic monuments. It has origins dating all the way back to the Romans and has been a centre for justice, incarceration and penal reform for almost 1,000 years. The knowledgeable and friendly tour guides will take you through tales of witchcraft, religious persecution, crime and punishment, rehabilitation and release throughout the ages. Open daily –  details and admission costs on http://www.lancastercastle.com/tours-visits Nearest station – Lancaster (5 mins walk)

Lancaster City Museum, situated in the heart of the historic city of Lancaster, in an elegant Georgian building, the museum charts the history of the city from the Romans to present day and includes the pedigree of Lancaster’s Regiment from 1680 onwards and also houses a wonderful collection of portraits and landscapes. Open Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 – 17:00 with free admission. Full details on http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/museums/lancaster-city-museum Nearest station – Lancaster (5 mins walk)

The Leeds Liverpool Canal, shadows the railway through a large part of the community rail network in the CRL area and a number of stations are very close to the canal. Explore the heritage of this canal that was built to serve the cotton mills and coal mining areas of the North West. Visit the website to see the route and discover its history on https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/canal-and-river-network/leeds-and-liverpool-canal Access via many East Lancashire Line stations

Maritime Museum, Lancaster, Housed in the former Custom House of 1764 in a delightful riverside setting, Lancaster Maritime Museum covers the maritime trade of Lancaster, the history of the port, the Lancaster Canal and the fishing industry of the Lune Estuary and Morecambe Bay. Open daily small admission charge (£3) – full details on http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/museums/lancaster-maritime-museum.aspx Nearest station – Lancaster (15 mins walk)

Rufford is an attractive village with much to offer the visitor from canal side walks to Rufford Old Hall (see below) and a variety of pubs and cafes.

Rufford Old Hall, a National Trust building that was once home to the Hesketh Family and visited by Shakespeare. The entrance ticket gets you access to the House, Garden, Shop & Tearoom. Limited Days of Opening – full details on this link https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/rufford-old-hall Nearest station – Rufford (10 mins walk)

Salts Mill, Saltaire, is set in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Saltaire. The Grade II Listed historic mill building was built in 1853 by Sir Titus Salt along with the village to house his workers. The whole area is of architectural and historical interest. A place for art, shopping and dining, all in one glorious building. Open daily with free admission – full details on http://www.saltsmill.org.uk/ Nearest station – Saltaire (adjacent)

Settle – The Folly, is a striking and impressive 17th century house close to the centre of Settle. The Folly was built in 1679 by Richard Preston, a wealthy lawyer. Recently restored by North Craven Building Preservation Trust as part of a phased rescue and development project the Folly is home to the Museum of North Craven Life with exhibitions on local history and a new seasonal exhibition each year – full deatils here: https://www.thefolly.org.uk/ Nearest station – Settle (5 mins walk or Giggleswick 30 mins walk)

Skipton Castle, stands at the top of The High Street. The Gatehouse of Skipton Castle is over 900 years old, one of the most complete and best preserved medieval castles in England and is well worth a visit at any season of the year. Visitors can explore every corner of this impressive history-rich castle, which withstood a three-year siege during the Civil War. View the Banqueting Hall, the Kitchen, the Bedchamber and Privy. Climb from the depths of the Dungeon to the top storey of the Watch Tower. Open daily – full details on http://www.skiptoncastle.co.uk/ Nearest station – Skipton (20 mins walk)

The Atkinson, Southport, is an £18 million multi art-form venue set in a Grade II listed building in the heart of Southport. With its beautifully restored art galleries and theatre it hosts the very best of visual and performing arts throughout the year. Open Monday to Saturday 10:00 – 17:00 – details on https://www.theatkinson.co.uk/ Nearest station – Southport (10 mins walk)

The Storey, Lancaster, is a purpose designed centre for the creative industries, featuring art galleries, auditoria and guest exhibitions. The building is open to the public to visit the Information Centre; eat and drink at the café bar and restaurant; and visit the exhibitions, many of which are free. Open Monday to Saturday – full details on https://www.visitlancashire.com/things-to-do/the-storey-p365270 Nearest station – Lancaster (5 mins walk)

Weavers’ Triangle Visitor Centre, Burnley, is located in the former Wharfmaster’s House and Toll Office at Burnley Wharf on the Leeds Liverpool Canal. It’s displays tell about the area now known as the Weavers’ Triangle and the canal as well as how cotton is made. Period rooms – a Victorian parlour and a weaver’s dwelling show a contrast of two lifestyles. Limited opening with free admission – full details on http://www.weaverstriangle.co.uk/
Nearest station – Burnley Manchester Road

Whalley Abbey, The Retreat and Conference House is set in the stunning grounds and ruins of a 14th Century Cistercian Abbey. On the banks of the River Calder in the beautiful countryside of the Ribble Valley, but with easy access to the rail network. Grounds & Ruins Open Daily, small charge (£2) to ruins – more details on http://www.whalleyabbey.org/ Nearest station – Whalley (15 mins walk)

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