The Yorkshire Dales Explorer is an all-year-round Saturday service that operates between Rochdale, Manchester, Bolton, Blackburn, The Ribble Valley and the Yorkshire Dales with connections onto the Settle Carlisle Railway.
The Yorkshire Dales Explorer stands at Ribblehead – photo © Owain Roberts
A very busy day this Saturday 3 May 2025 with the start of the Ride2Stride programme on the Settle Carlisle Line. Three guided walks led by volunteers from FoSCL and the Friends of DalesRail. See details below:
Saturday 3 May 2025 – a FoSCL Ride2Stride Guided Walk – a guided walk led by volunteers from the Friends of the Settle Carlisle Line using the first return Yorkshire Dales Explorer service. Whalley to Clitheroe via Ribble Valley Line via Whalley, Wiswell Moor and Nick of Pendle – 9 miles moderately strenuous. Alight at Hellifield to catch the 11.30 YDE service to Rochdale. Your walk leaders will meet you at Hellifield. The return train departs Clitheroe 16.38 change at Hellifield or Settle.
Saturday 3 May 2025 – a Friends of DalesRail Guided Walk – a guided walk led by volunteers from the Friends of DalesRail using the first outward Yorkshire Dales Explorer service. Horton to Ribblehead via Sulber Nick and the Ingleborough Nature Reserve. Alight Horton in Ribblesdale (10:19) and return Ribblehead (18:05). 7 miles easy.
Saturday 3 May 2025 – a Friends of DalesRail Guided Walk – a guided walk led by volunteers from the Friends of DalesRail using the first outward Yorkshire Dales Explorer service. A Settle circular via the three waterfalls. Alight (10:03) and return (18:21) Settle. 10 miles moderate.
Saturday 3 May 2025 also sees the start of the DalesBus service 80 to Hawes, which connects at Ribblehead in both directions – the timetable can be downloaded here DalesBus Service 80 Summer 2025 – a great place to visit in Hawes is the Dales Countryside Museum including an exhibition celebrating 60 years of the Pennine Way – click the links for details.
There are plenty of other things to do and see both in the Dales and across the Ribble Valley and East Lancashire. Using the first outward service, you can visit Settle or connect into a northbound service on the Settle Carlisle Line at either Hellifield or Ribblehead and spend some time in Appleby or Carlisle.
SETTLE
The Museum of North Craven Life, Settle – photographer unknown
Why not use the Yorkshire Dales Explorer service to visit Settle and visit The Folly, a Museum of North Craven Life. The museum is open on Saturday’s between 10:00 & 16:00 and is just 10 minutes stroll from the station. For more details on this interesting building and what’s on show visit thefolly.org.uk/
APPLEBY
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
CARLISLE
Carlisle Cathedral – Saturdays 07:30 – 17:00
Carlisle Cathedral organ – photo © Carlisle Cathedral
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 – 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
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.
Other Things to do using the Yorkshire Dales Explorer
Using the first return service from Ribblehead, with connections from the Carlisle and Leeds directions you can explore the Ribble Valley and beyond.
CLITHEROE
There are plenty of places to visit, eat and drink in Clitheroe including:
Clitheroe Castle Keep – photo © Simon Clarke
Clitheroe Castle & Museum – open Saturdays 12:00 – 16:00, approximately 10 minutes from the station. The current exhibition with normal admission fees is Lancashire in 50 Objects – Roman Gemstones free entry for up to 18 years old.
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 15 minutes from the station.
Whalley Abbey Gatehouse with the viaduct in the background – unknown photographer
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/
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.
BBN Market – photo © Sadiq Khan
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. A brand new exhibition has just opened in the market called ‘The Clitheroe Line – A Picturesque Journey’ which showcases photographs, poetry and drawings created through an Arts 2 Heal community-led project.
DARWEN
Darwen Market – open Saturdays 08:00 – 16:00
Darwen Market – photo © Darwen Town Deal
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.
BOLTON
Bolton Museum & Aquarium – open Saturdays 09:00 – 17:00
Bolton Museum – photo © Bolton Libraries and Museums
Le Mans Crescent, Bolton, BL1 1SE – just 10 minutes from the Bolton station
With family friendly events and exhibitions available all year round, enjoy the fascinating
story of Bolton, its places and people, alongside displays of Art, Egyptology, Archaeology,
Botany and Zoology, as well as Greater Manchester’s only public aquarium!
Visit https://www.boltonlams.co.uk/bolton-museum for more details
Hive Gallery – open Saturdays 12:00 – 17:00
Upper Ground Floor, Market Place Bolton, BL1 2AL – just 15 minutes from Bolton station.
A new exhibition is under development and will start on 10 May 2025. Opening times are Fridays & Saturdays 12:00 – 17:00. More information on https://hiveartists.co.uk/current-exhibition
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
The Yorkshire Dales Explorer achieved a silver place in the Tourism & Leisure Award at the recent National Community Rail Awards (see yorkshire-dales-explorer-takes-silver-place/).