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Settle–Carlisle Railway: Settle and Carlisle Railway at Selside Shaw. - geograph.org.uk - 398259

England · Yorkshire Dales, North Pennines and Cumbria

Settle–Carlisle Railway

Settle → Carlisle

England’s great mountain railway

Normal scheduled service

RichTea · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Photograph source

At a glance

Journey time
About 1¾ hours
Best side
Watch both sides for distinct highlights
Operator
Northern
How often
Regular through services operate, but gaps matter if you leave the train at a rural station.
Ticket tip
England’s scenic rangers and rovers
Step-free access
Northern's Settle station information and the railway's planning guide provide the starting points for Passenger Assist. — access details
Where to stay: CarlisleTickets

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By Does Your Duck Quack

SourcesShape your dayHow we research

Before boarding

The practical railway facts

Victorian engineering meets the Yorkshire Dales and North Pennines, with Ribblehead Viaduct as the unmistakable centrepiece.

Operator
Northern1
Service pattern
Regular through services operate, but gaps matter if you leave the train at a rural station.1
Reservations
Seat reservations are not normally the basis of travel on these regional services; arrive early for the best choice of window.
Typical train
Northern regional trains; type and window alignment vary.

Pick your window

Which side to sit on the Settle–Carlisle Railway

Watch both sides for distinct highlights: Ribblehead’s curve and Dentdale favour different windows.1

Both sides

Settle to Carlisle

Settle to Carlisle: both windows recommendedTrain viewed from above, travelling right on this diagram. Left and right refer to facing forwards. Both window rows are highlighted equally.Left window — recommendedTravel →Right window — recommended
Facing forwards: favour both sides.

Watch both sides: Seat 61 recommends the right for the forward view of Ribblehead Viaduct on its curve, but the left for the scenery between Ribblehead, Dent and Garsdale.1

Both sides

Carlisle to Settle

Carlisle to Settle: both windows recommendedTrain viewed from above, travelling left on this diagram. Left and right refer to facing forwards. Both window rows are highlighted equally.Right window — recommended← TravelLeft window — recommended
Facing forwards: favour both sides.

Watch both sides heading towards Settle: the Ribblehead Viaduct curve is on the left, while the Dent–Garsdale scenery is on the right.1

Why ride it

The view from the train

From Settle, the railway climbs through Ribblesdale towards Ribblehead Viaduct and Blea Moor. Dentdale follows beyond the tunnel, with Dent station high above the valley. The route then reaches Mallerstang and follows the upper Eden country towards Kirkby Stephen and Appleby. Carlisle marks the northern end of the ride. Stone stations, viaducts and the transition from exposed uplands to the broader Vale of Eden give the journey its structure; Ribblehead is one chapter in that longer crossing.

Settle is a natural place to begin if you want the line's named section without a longer approach journey. Choose Carlisle as your endpoint when the pleasure is in travelling through. For a walking day, work backwards from one chosen station and a walk that suits your group. Mixing a complete ride with several substantial walks would turn an easy idea into a much more demanding outing. A simple plan leaves more room to enjoy what appears beyond the glass.

Ribblehead is worth anticipating. On the northbound approach, the curve and viaduct favour the right, while the Dent–Garsdale section provides a reason to look left. On the return those recommendations reverse. That is why both sides earn a place in the advice here. If travelling together, share the best moments across the aisle when it is comfortable to do so. A fixed window is still a good place to spend the journey; you need not keep changing seats.

Give the railway architecture a little attention as well as the broad views. The line's own guide celebrates its stone stations and structures. They help connect the journey to the places it serves. At a stop, take time to notice the station before heading off. There is pleasure in a slow arrival, particularly when a railway is the reason for the outing.

A return ride is an opportunity to look differently. Notice what passed behind you on the outward journey, or choose another window and watch the same country from a fresh angle. If you are staying overnight, divide your attention between the railway and one place along it. The trip need not become a circuit through several regions to feel complete. A well-chosen stop and a train journey enjoyed without rushing can make a memorable short break.

RibbleheadDentdaleEden Valley

A day trip from Leeds

Leeds is a useful starting point for the complete Settle–Carlisle journey because Northern publishes a through Leeds–Carlisle timetable. Choose a service whose destination and calling pattern actually follow that route: the same timetable group also includes trains towards Morecambe and Heysham Port. The scenic railway does not begin at every destination shown on a departure board, so check the train before boarding.

For the fullest railway day, continue to Carlisle and make the return a separate, deliberate choice. That ride includes the Dales crossing around Ribblehead and the later Eden Valley landscape. Carlisle can be the destination in its own right, with a pause before coming back. This is our suggested shape of a day, not a promise that any chosen outward service connects conveniently with the final train home.

A shorter outing can turn at Ribblehead for the viaduct. The published station-to-viaduct walk is approximately half a mile, with an exposed approach and rougher ground beyond the road. Use our Ribblehead stop card for the directions and access detail, and the dedicated viewpoint guide for choosing where to stand. A summit walk on Whernside is a separate undertaking, not an automatic extra on a full Leeds–Carlisle return.

Appleby offers another style of stop, exchanging the open moorland setting for a market-town visit. Choose the stop before buying a restricted ticket, since break-of-journey conditions and the actual calling services determine the usable plan. We favour one substantial pause over several rushed departures on this long route. Follow Northern’s current timetable for the exact day, including engineering changes, and keep the stop-card access notes alongside the return journey.

Northern: Leeds–Carlisle timetable N7 · Settle–Carlisle Railway: route and destinations · SCRCA: Ribblehead station and viaduct approach

Best stops on the Settle–Carlisle Railway

Choose one main stop for a day out. Distances are one way from the station unless a circuit is stated; walking times are our estimates except where the attraction publishes one. Allow-time suggestions include time to look around.

Stop 1

Settle

131415161718

Start with the station’s Water Tower and a walk into the limestone-built town before boarding.

From the station: about 0.05 miles (around 2 minutes’ walk)1618

How we measure

Check the next train back before leaving the station

Request stop: No — use a service shown as calling here.17

What is nearby

  • Settle Water Tower — The former railway tank house is now a private home; view it from the public station approach, without entering the property.

  • The Folly and Settle town — The Folly houses the Museum of North Craven Life and a coffee house, with the town’s streets beyond.

    From the station: about 0.25 miles (around 5 minutes’ walk)1418

    How we measure

    The Folly gives five minutes for this station walk.

From the platform

Leave the platform through the station entrance for the Water Tower viewpoint, then follow Station Road to Duke Street; turn left and then right into Chapel Street for The Folly. The town walk is about 0.25 miles, with a gentle rise towards Victoria Street.

Access: Northern lists conditional step-free access: ask staff to assist with the barrow crossing if needed. The Folly’s front doors have steps; its published wheelchair route uses the rear path and driveway, with staff help, and does not reach every floor.

Food and drink

  • The Folly Coffee House — In the museum building at the end of Chapel Street; use the rear entrance arrangements if the front steps are a barrier.

Allow time: Allow 1–2 hours for the station exterior, town and a coffee stop; add time for the museum.

Find places to stay in Settle on Booking.com (opens in a new tab)

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Stop 2

Ribblehead

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Get off here to see the viaduct from ground level and decide whether the day is a short railway walk or a Whernside outing.

From the station: about 0.5 miles (around 15 minutes’ walk)20

How we measure

Check the next train back before leaving the station

Request stop: No — use a service shown as calling here.17

What is nearby

  • Ribblehead Viaduct — The public bridleway reaches the foot of the arches across exposed, rough ground.

  • Whernside walk from the viaduct — The National Park describes a 7.5-mile summit circuit with a long climb, high ridge and steeper descent; the station walk below reaches its viaduct starting area, not the summit.

    From the station: about 0.5 miles (around 15 minutes’ walk) to the viaduct starting area2120

    How we measure

    Allow most of the day for the Whernside circuit and use the National Park’s route map for the mountain section.

From the platform

For the viaduct, walk down the station drive, turn right along the B6255, then left after the cattle grid onto the public bridleway. The published station link is about 0.5 miles each way; use the National Park’s route map for the separate 7.5-mile Whernside circuit.

Access: The station’s platform access includes a barrow crossing, and its car park is stony and uneven. The viaduct bridleway is rough and exposed, so a step-free platform does not make the outdoor walk an accessible surfaced route; Whernside is not step-free.

Food and drink

  • The Station Inn — The pub near the viaduct approach is the named refreshment stop in the National Park’s Whernside guide.

Allow time: Allow 1–2 hours for the viaduct and refreshments, or most of the day for Whernside.

Stop 3

Dent

22232417

Stop for England’s highest main-line station and the Dentdale setting, keeping Dent village as a separate long outing.

From the station: about 4 miles (around 1 hour 40 minutes’ walk downhill)23

How we measure

Allow longer for the uphill return to Dent station.

Check the next train back before leaving the station

Request stop: No — use a service shown as calling here.17

What is nearby

  • Dent village — The village lies well below the railway; its stone streets are not a quick extension of a station photo stop.

From the platform

Exit via the station approach and descend Lea Yeat Brow towards Cowgill, then follow the dale road west towards Dent. Allow for about 4 miles each way and the sustained climb back to the station; we would arrange a lift for a village visit with a tight rail connection.

Access: Northern describes level access to the Carlisle platform and a barrow crossing for the Leeds platform. The downhill lane has steep gradients and road walking, so we would not describe the village route as an independently accessible step-free walk.

Food and drink

  • The Sportsman’s Inn, Cowgill — The nearest named pub option in the upper dale is below the station in Cowgill, not on the platform; the steep station lane remains part of the outing.

Allow time: Allow 30–45 minutes around the station, or at least 4–5 hours for a village walk and stop, with longer for the climb back.

Find places to stay in Dent on Booking.com (opens in a new tab)

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Stop 4

Kirkby Stephen

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Break the journey for the market town and a meal, allowing for the station’s hillside position outside the centre.

From the station: about 1.5 miles (around 35 minutes’ walk)26

How we measure

Check the next train back before leaving the station

Request stop: No — use a service shown as calling here.17

What is nearby

  • Kirkby Stephen town centre — The market streets have cafés and pubs; the working main-line station is outside the town, not Kirkby Stephen East.

From the platform

Leave by the station approach and follow the signed walking route towards the town alongside the main approach road. The published distance is about 1.5 miles; the outward walk descends from the hillside and the return climbs back to the railway.

Access: Northern lists a flat road under the bridge to the Leeds platform and a very steep slope to the Carlisle platform. There is no level, effortless station-to-town transfer; use the station access information when planning the return climb.

Food and drink

  • The Pennine Inn — A pub in Market Square for a town meal; it is in the centre after the walk, not beside the main-line station.

Allow time: Allow 2–3 hours including both walks and a town meal.

Find places to stay in Kirkby Stephen on Booking.com (opens in a new tab)

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Stop 5

Appleby

282930311732

Choose Appleby for Boroughgate, the River Eden setting and the castle at the uphill end of the town.

From the station: about 0.45 miles (around 15 minutes’ walk)2932

How we measure

Check the next train back before leaving the station

Request stop: No — use a service shown as calling here.17

What is nearby

  • Boroughgate and the Moot Hall — The historic main street links the market area and Tourist Information in the Moot Hall.

  • Appleby Castle entrance — Walk up Boroughgate to the castle gate; admission arrangements belong to the castle, so use its visitor page before planning an interior visit.

    From the station: about 0.6 miles (around 20 minutes’ walk)3032

    How we measure

From the platform

Leave through the Clifford Street entrance; follow Garth Heads Road and the public path to The Sands, cross St Lawrence’s Bridge and continue into Boroughgate. The Moot Hall is about 0.45 miles from the station entrance; continue uphill to the castle gate for about 0.6 miles in total.

Access: Use staff assistance for the station’s barrow crossing if required. The street-and-path route avoids stairs but descends to the river and climbs Boroughgate. Ask the castle about its entrance and access within the historic buildings before adding an interior visit.

Food and drink

  • Tufton Arms Hotel — The hotel’s restaurant is in the Market Square and Boroughgate area, after the downhill walk from the station.

Allow time: Allow 2–3 hours for the town, a meal and the castle exterior; plan an interior visit separately.

Find places to stay in Appleby-in-Westmorland on Booking.com (opens in a new tab)

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The route in photographs

Community photographs

A selected visual sequence of railway, landscape and stations along the journey.

Browse more on Wikimedia Commons (opens in a new tab)
Settle → Carlisle: Settle and Carlisle Railway at Selside Shaw.
View 1 of 8Settle and Carlisle Railway at Selside Shaw.RichTea · CC BY-SA 2.0Source and licence (opens in a new tab)
Settle → Carlisle: Settle to Carlisle Line summit
View 2 of 8Settle to Carlisle Line summitSmiley.toerist · CC BY-SA 4.0Source and licence (opens in a new tab)
Settle → Carlisle: Tunnel under the Settle to Carlisle railway
View 3 of 8Tunnel under the Settle to Carlisle railwaymalcolm tebbit · CC BY-SA 2.0Source and licence (opens in a new tab)
Settle → Carlisle: Settle to Carlisle Railway near Hazelgill
View 4 of 8Settle to Carlisle Railway near Hazelgillmalcolm tebbit · CC BY-SA 2.0Source and licence (opens in a new tab)

Eight route photographs link to their original Wikimedia Commons pages for the creator, licence and reuse terms.

How to get to the Settle–Carlisle Railway

By train

From Leeds, take a Northern service on the Settle–Carlisle line via Skipton to Settle. From Lancaster, use the Bentham Line towards Leeds and change at Hellifield for a Settle service; check the connection because Lancaster trains use the Giggleswick branch after Settle Junction. From Manchester, Northern’s route guide identifies selected through services from Manchester Victoria via Blackburn and Clitheroe; where a through train does not fit, plan a connection via Leeds.17332

By bus

Lonsdale Buses 580 links Skipton with Settle via Gargrave; route 581 links Settle with Austwick, Clapham, Ingleton and Kirkby Lonsdale. DalesBus publishes their route information and links to the operator’s timetables. Use the named town stop for the railway connection.37

By car

Northern publishes a station car park at Settle. Use its station page for the approach and parking arrangements, and keep the return train to Settle in the plan if the car stays there.13

Returning from the far end

From Carlisle, take a southbound Northern service back through Settle if returning to the start. For a linear trip home, use National Rail to plan Carlisle’s onward main-line connections separately: a ticket routed via Settle does not automatically cover a different return route through Lancaster or Preston.173536

Day trip or overnight

Ride Settle–Carlisle with one stop: Ribblehead for the viaduct and an exposed walk, Appleby for the Eden and town, or Carlisle for the northern terminus and city. Dent station is high above Dent village, so include the onward distance when planning that visit. Check the return calling pattern before leaving the train. An overnight in Settle or Carlisle allows the complete ride and a longer destination visit without a same-day connection.1

Accessibility

Northern's Settle station information and the railway's planning guide provide the starting points for Passenger Assist. Discuss the boarding station, destination and any planned intermediate stop together. If a walk is part of the day, consider its ground conditions separately from station access.5

When to go

Use the dated operating calendar for the Settle–Carlisle Railway, including any event-specific timetable and ticket conditions. For Settle–Carlisle Railway, we would put Ribblehead into useful daylight, allowing a longer destination pause when the season provides enough light. At Carlisle, settle the homeward Settle–Carlisle Railway service before beginning the planned walk. Any attraction added to the Settle–Carlisle Railway outing has separate opening arrangements; use Northern for the railway’s actual operating dates.1

Tickets

Northern's booking page offers Single, Return and Advance fares for Carlisle–Settle. Advance availability depends on the selected journey; use the result for your actual date. A fixed-service fare suits a straightforward ride. If your main purpose is a walk or a leisurely stop, compare the conditions of a flexible return before deciding.

Northern also publishes North West Round Robin and North East Round Robin tickets whose circuits include the Settle–Carlisle line. These are options for a wider railway day, not automatic substitutes for a simple return. Match the circuit to the places you want to visit and its current restrictions. Enter an eligible Railcard in Northern's ticket search, and read the break-of-journey conditions before turning one ticket into several separate outings.89

Photography

Have your camera ready before Ribblehead, but expect a passing view. A short burst from a comfortable window is more practical than waiting for an exact composition while the train is moving. For Dentdale, look for the way the ground opens and changes. The best seat is one that gives a clear view and lets you stay comfortably settled.

Think about light on the day: compare the sun's direction with the northbound or southbound journey you have chosen, and use the return for a different attempt if glare dominates the first ride. Keep flash off and bring the lens near the glass to minimise interior reflections. In tunnels, let the camera rest. A ground-level photograph at Ribblehead is a separate outing and deserves its own time outside the train.2

On board

The Settle–Carlisle organisation describes an onboard refreshment trolley, with drinks and local products, as well as refreshments at Ribblehead. Bring your own water and a snack so that the day works comfortably without depending on a trolley reaching your seat. A small picnic is particularly useful when you want your stop to be about the landscape.

Northern publishes luggage and cycle guidance. Use the dedicated storage spaces and keep the aisle, doors and accessible areas clear. Bikes use designated spaces and are carried subject to the operator's policy and available room. For toilet facilities on the train you plan to use, ask Northern. Keep your day bag separate from heavier luggage, especially if the plan includes getting off for a walk.101112

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Settle–Carlisle Railway?

The guide's typical Settle–Carlisle journey is about one and three-quarter hours; Northern's journey planner supplies the time for a specific service. That duration covers the ride, so add separate time for a stop-off or any approach journey from Leeds. A full return with a single chosen break is a better starting plan than several hurried visits.8

Which side is best on the Settle–Carlisle Railway?

Watch both sides: Seat 61 recommends the right for the forward view of Ribblehead Viaduct on its curve, but the left for the scenery between Ribblehead, Dent and Garsdale.1

Is the Settle–Carlisle Railway suitable for a day trip?

Yes: a straightforward first outing is a straightforward return, with either time at Carlisle or one intermediate stop. Choose Ribblehead for the viaduct landscape, or Appleby for a town break. Make the stop the main extra activity of the day. A wider circular rail trip is another possibility, but deserves a separate itinerary.6

Is the Settle–Carlisle Railway accessible?

Northern offers Passenger Assist, and its station pages describe access for the places you intend to use. Discuss the complete itinerary, not just Settle at the beginning. A walk from a rural station has its own access considerations, so keeping the outing mainly on the train can be a useful choice. Arrange the day around your needs.213

How do I get to the start of the Settle–Carlisle Railway?

Reach Settle on the Northern line from Leeds via Skipton. From Lancaster, change from the Bentham Line at Hellifield; from Manchester, look for the selected through Victoria services or plan via Leeds. Northern lists station parking for drivers. Use the journey planner for the complete outward and return connection.173323413

Further reading

Read the route

Chosen for this line, its train type or the wider pleasure of slow rail travel.

Physical edition

Slow Trains Around Britain

by Tom Chesshyre

A contemporary, slow-travel circuit of Britain for readers who enjoy the journey as much as the destination.

View physical book (opens in a new tab)
Hardback

200 Years of Britain’s Railways in 14 Journeys

by Sherin Aminossehe

An illustrated history told through fourteen journeys—a useful companion for the wider collection.

View physical book (opens in a new tab)

Sources

(37)

Further reading

  1. 1The Man in Seat 61: The Settle & Carlisle Railway | England's most scenic line (opens in a new tab)
  2. 2Settle–Carlisle Railway: Plan Your Journey | The Settle-Carlisle Railway (opens in a new tab)
  3. 3Settle–Carlisle Railway: Explore the Line (opens in a new tab)
  4. 4Settle-Carlisle Railway - Yorkshire Dales National Park : Yorkshire Dales National Park (opens in a new tab)
  5. 5Trains From Settle to Carlisle | National Rail (opens in a new tab)
  6. 6Settle–Carlisle Railway: 20 things to do this Summer on the Settle Carlisle Railway | The Settle-Carlisle Railway (opens in a new tab)
  7. 7Buy a Railcard | Types of Railcard | Northern (opens in a new tab)
  8. 8Northern: Carlisle to Settle Train Tickets & Timetables (opens in a new tab)
  9. 9Rangers Tickets & Rovers Tickets | Explore the North | Northern (opens in a new tab)
  10. 10Settle–Carlisle Railway: Catering & Retail | The Settle-Carlisle Railway (opens in a new tab)
  11. 11Enjoy great features and experiences On board | Northern (opens in a new tab)
  12. 12Bikes on Trains | Cycling | Northern (opens in a new tab)
  13. 13Settle Station | Trains to Settle & Times | Northern (opens in a new tab)
  14. 14Plan your visit - The Folly (opens in a new tab)
  15. 15Coffee House - The Folly (opens in a new tab)
  16. 16Fo SCL: SCRCA structure 236590: Settle Station Tank House | SCRCA (opens in a new tab)
  17. 17Northern 7 (3-up) 0526 12pp.indd (opens in a new tab)
  18. 18OpenStreetMap: Settle Water Tower, The Folly and Settle town (opens in a new tab)
  19. 19Ribblehead Train Station | Trains to Ribblehead & Times | Northern (opens in a new tab)
  20. 20Fo SCL: SCRCA Heritage Hotspot 04: Ribblehead and Blea Moor | Settle Carlisle Railway Conservation Area (SCRCA) (opens in a new tab)
  21. 21Whernside - Yorkshire Dales National Park : Yorkshire Dales National Park (opens in a new tab)
  22. 22Dent Train Station | Trains to Dent & Times | Northern (opens in a new tab)
  23. 23Friends of the Settle–Carlisle Line: Dent station and distance to village (opens in a new tab)
  24. 24Discover Dentdale: www.discoverdentdale.co.uk (opens in a new tab)
  25. 25Kirkby Stephen Station | Trains to Kirkby Stephen & Times | Northern (opens in a new tab)
  26. 26Settle–Carlisle Railway: Station Cottage (opens in a new tab)
  27. 27Pennine Inn: Pennine Hotel | A Valiant Pubs Company (opens in a new tab)
  28. 28Appleby Station | Trains to Appleby & Times | Northern (opens in a new tab)
  29. 29Visit Appleby: town and Boroughgate (opens in a new tab)
  30. 30Directions to Appleby Castle | Appleby Castle Hotel Location (opens in a new tab)
  31. 31Food & Drink - Visit Appleby (opens in a new tab)
  32. 32OpenStreetMap: Boroughgate and the Moot Hall, Appleby Castle entrance (opens in a new tab)
  33. 33The Bentham Line (Leeds to Lancaster and Morecambe) | Community Rail Lancashire (opens in a new tab)
  34. 34Welcome to Dales Bus (opens in a new tab)
  35. 35Carlisle Station | National Rail (opens in a new tab)
  36. 36Journey Planner | Official Train Ticket Info | National Rail (opens in a new tab)
  37. 37Dales Bus: Craven Connection Buses 75, 81, 82, 580, 581 & 583 (opens in a new tab)

Official planning

Plan your journey

Book with the railway, or use National Rail to put your journey together.

Some links earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Find places to stay in Carlisle on Booking.com (opens in a new tab) Open The Man in Seat 61: The Settle & Carlisle Railway | England's most scenic line (opens in a new tab) Book your tickets (opens in a new tab)

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