This summer, I finally did something I’ve been wanting to do for ages: I took the Settle to Carlisle Railway through the Yorkshire Dales! This was a fantastic day out, and I enjoyed it so much. Northern Rail was running a summer flash sale, with some tickets just £1.50 each way. I snapped up cheap tickets and went to ride the rails! Here’s my guide to taking the Settle to Carlisle Railway.
What is the Settle to Carlisle Railway?
The Settle to Carlisle Railway is a normal train route, run by Northern, although it’s also a community rail partnership. The route actually starts in Leeds, although you can certainly start in Settle if you like. It’s 72 miles and travels through some of the most beautiful scenery in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The Settle to Carlisle Railway first opened in 1876, and celebrated its 150th birthday this year! You cross 20 viaducts and go through 14 tunnels on the journey. The journey from Leeds to Carlisle takes 2 hours and 40 minutes, and the journey from Settle to Carlisle takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes.
How to Plan your Trip on the Settle to Carlisle Railway
You can start your journey in Leeds, Skipton, Settle, or any of the other stations in between. You could also start in Carlisle, and travel to Settle or Leeds and back! There are about 7 services from Leeds to Carlisle on weekdays, leaving just before 8:00am with the last train departing just after 6:00pm. The last train to Carlisle leaves Settle about 7:20pm on weekdays. You can buy tickets direct via Northern or on Trainline (I typically use Trainline for all my UK train bookings). One-way prices from Settle to Carlisle are about £13. One-way prices from Leeds to Carlisle are about £20. If you book further in advance, you can probably get tickets a bit cheaper.
Throughout the year, there are also special steam train services that travel on the Settle to Carlisle Railway. These cost significantly more, but offer a unique experience for steam train fans. Be sure to book in advance, as these excursions can sell out.
There aren’t reserved seats on board the train. If possible, I recommend sitting on opposite sides of the train going out and coming back, to see both sides of the scenery! When traveling west (from Leeds to Carlisle), I recommend a seat on the right-hand side to see Pen-y-ghent and the beautiful Mallerstang valley. But if you sit on the left-hand side, you’ll get great views of Ingleborough, Whernside, and Dentdale. I got lucky and there was an empty seat across the aisle from me, so I jumped over and switched sides to take pictures several times during the journey!
If you’re planning on traveling around the Yorkshire Dales without a car, the Settle to Carlisle Railway is a fantastic option. There are so many walks that start right from train stations along the line, and with several services per day you can visit multiple destinations on the line in a single day. Experiencing this train for myself changed my perspective on traveling this part of the Yorkshire Dales with public transport – it’s much easier than I imagined!
What to See on the Settle to Carlisle Railway
For me, the best part of the Settle to Carlisle Railway is undoubtedly the scenery. The rail line goes through some of the most beautiful places in the Yorkshire Dales! The scenery really gets good after Skipton. Several of the heritage stations are cute and make for great photo opportunities.
If you want to get off the train, Leeds is a major city with SO much to see and do. Carlisle also has a smattering of attractions (including a cathedral and castle), and Skipton and Settle are pretty market towns. But if you’re staying on the train for the duration of the ride, here are some of the top spots on the journey.
Horton-in-Ribblesdale Station
I loved stopping at this station. Not only does it have a very charming aesthetic, but you can get a cracking view of Pen-y-ghent, one of the major fells in the Yorkshire Dales. The combo of cute train station and stunning scenery is perfect!
Yorkshire Three Peaks: Pen-y-ghent, Ingleborough, and Whernside
Part of why I loved this rail journey was because it took me past so many fells I’ve climbed! You get a front-row seat to the Yorkshire Three Peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Ingleborough, and Whernside on board the Settle to Carlisle Railway. With good visibility, you can see the summits of all three peaks as you whiz past on the train. If you’re not a big hiker but want to enjoy great scenery, this train ride is a great way to see the Yorkshire Three Peaks up close!
Ribblehead Viaduct
A feat of Victorian engineering, the iconic Ribblehead Viaduct is one of the major attractions on the Settle to Carlisle Railway. It’s just below Whernside, and has 24 huge stone arches that are 104 feet (32 meters) off the ground. Going over the viaduct on the train was such an awesome moment! You’ll cross the viaduct just after you depart Ribblehead station on westbound services to Carlisle.
Dentdale
Dent is the highest mainland station in England, at 1,150 feet (350 meters). The scenery on the train going through Dentdale (Dent and Garsdale stations) is just incredible! Dent is a fairly remote part of the Yorkshire Dales, and I loved seeing the sprawling green hills, dotted with little villages, sheep, and drystone walls, from the train.
Mallerstang
I think the Cumbrian part of the Yorkshire Dales, around the Howgills, is one of the most underrated places in the Dales. I loved hiking and exploring around here. The train ride goes through Mallerstang valley, with superb views all around. When traveling westbound, this is on the way to Kirkby Stephen station.
Eden Valley
The Eden Valley is another hidden gem in the north – located just outside both the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales National Parks. The scenery here is more bucolic – think gentle fields with animals, forest, and rivers, as opposed to the drama of the fells. But I loved the views around Appleby and the pretty Lazonby & Kirkoswald station.
Where to Stay for Your Journey
There are a number of places to stay around the Settle to Carlisle Railway based on your itinerary. Here are a few options!
- Carlisle: Cartref Guest House – a lovely B&B just a 10-minute walk from the train station (I stayed here when I hiked Hadrian’s Wall and loved it!)
- Settle: The Golden Lion at Settle – a cozy and comfortable pub with rooms, right in the heart of Settle
- Skipton: The Woolly Sheep Inn – an excellent location in the center of Skipton with friendly staff and top-notch food
Leeds: The Queens Hotel – a luxurious, elegant Art Deco hotel with a private entrance to Leeds Station - Leeds: The Chambers – stylish boutique apartments just a 5-minute walk from the station
Planning Your Trip to Yorkshire and Cumbria
The closest airport for taking the Settle to Carlisle Railway is Leeds-Bradford Airport, although you’ll find far more flight options from Manchester Airport. I use Skyscanner to find the best flight deals. Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more. Looking for more tours and activities? Check out options below!
Check out my Instagram post on the experience, too!
View this post on Instagram
I had such a fun time on the Settle to Carlisle Railway. Whether you love scenic rail journeys, spectacular views, or are just looking for a fun day out, this is a great choice. Alternately, if you’re visiting the Yorkshire Dales without a car, it’s a super convenient way to see the Dales with public transport. I hope this post helps plan your trip on the Settle to Carlisle Railway!
Have you taken the Settle to Carlisle Railway before? What was your trip like?
You might also like my posts:
The BEST Places to Visit in the Yorkshire Dales
How to Spend a Weekend Around the Howgills, Cumbria
Whernside: The Highest Peak in Yorkshire
Hiking Ingleborough From Clapham in the Yorkshire Dales
Exploring the Yorkshire Dales: Hiking Pen-y-ghent
All of my Yorkshire posts!
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