Take a trip on the Settle Carlisle Railway in 2026, the year the railway turns 150
Described as one of the world’s most iconic train journeys we feel incredibly proud to have it on our doorstep. A five minute drive, ten minute cycle ride or two mile walk takes you to the pretty station of Gargrave on the Settle to Carlisle line. Hop on at Gargrave and half an hour later you’ll be heading over one of the most incredible feats of engineering – Ribblehead Viaduct.
The viaduct is a Grade II* listed structure that is an incredible 400 metres in length and 32 metres tall. There are 24 stone arches and when you stand at the foot of the viaduct you can marvel at this incredible feat of Victoria engineering and understand why it took six years to build.
Rail tickets are available to suit every budget as the railway is part of a mainline service. And you can even use your railcards for those extra savings.
Here are our Top Five Tips for a day on the Settle to Carlisle Railway
City and History Lovers – enjoy the scenery all the way to Carlisle and visit the castle (free for English Heritage members). Enjoy lunch in one of the many eateries before visiting the impressive cathedral.
Walkers – jump off at Horton in Ribblesdale and join the well signed ‘Three Peaks of Yorkshire Trail’ to Ribblehead. The ten mile path finishes at the Station Inn for a well-earned drink before your return rail journey.
Summit Baggers – Pen-y-Ghent is one of Yorkshire’s iconic Three Peaks of Yorkshire. A 10km well signed loop, from Horton in Ribblesdale, takes you up and over Pen-y-Ghent and the scenery is magnificent. Alternatively hop off at the train at Ribblehead and head to the summit of Whernside, and a circular walk takes you there. There are superb views to the third summit of Ingleborough – distinguished by its “flat top” – from Whernside itself.
Lovers of Two Wheels – Yorkshire famously staged Le Grand Depart in 2014 and we remember it well – putting Yorkshire on the world stage for its incredible cycling routes. Why not plan your own linear cycling trip and make use of the railway?
Eden Valley Explorers – Kirkby Stephen is a vibrant town nestled in the Eden Valley and Wainwright’s Coast to Coast National Trail heads through it. You could stretch your legs on the 1.5 mile walk from the station, to the town, and treat yourself to a cup of Yorkshire tea, and a slice of cake, in one of the cafes there, before picking up the train for the return journey home.
Things you need to know about travelling from Gargrave station
There’s a free station car park where you can park all day.
To find the station car park, when you leave Gargrave village heading for Broughton, after crossing the railway, the car park is soon on the right hand side of the road. From there it is a short distance to walk back down the road to either platform.
If you use What3words, the location of the station is: ///discrepancy.apron/appraised
The train station is unstaffed and there isn’t a ticket office. You can travel from Gargrave without a ticket by buying your ticket from the Train Conductor after you have boarded the train. Buying a ticket beforehand from the Northern Rail website or App gives piece of mind, and advance purchase tickets can often be the best value too.
Access to the south-bound platform (in the direction of Skipton and Leeds) is level.
Access to the north-bound platform from the road requires you to climb down a flight of stairs.
Why not make 2026 the year you create Settle to Carlisle memories combined with a stay in Bank Newton at Newton Grange Farm?
For more ideas of days out by train from Gargrave, check out this Blog post about a visit to the seaside.