DalesRail 2008

DalesRail is proving to be ever more popular, with passengers returning year on year to join the DalesRail walks, or just enjoy a yearly visit to one of the many destinations on offer.

Wherever you chose to visit, you can decide how you want to spend your day – you may prefer to try one of the many guided walks.

DalesRail offers a variety of walks each Sunday for differing ability levels, with a guide to lead the way. This years highlights include restored coach links to Wensleydale and Swaledale as well as links to many favourite locations such as Hadrian’s Wall, Middleton in Teesdale, Barnard Castle and Dentdale.

If you are looking for a more relaxing day out why not join a town trail and discover some of the exciting local history, or you may just prefer to explore the local surroundings at your leisure. DalesRail is a unique way to enjoy the countryside, with its individual combination of train and coach links, it offers an exciting way to access some of the most beautiful English countryside. With reasonable fares and connecting rail services from Manchester, Bolton and Chorley, it’s very easy to join the DalesRail service.

Clitheroe
An attractive Lancashire market town, Clitheroe lies at the heart of the Ribble Valley. Retaining much of its old character and customs, it has a wide range of shops, many of which have been run by the same family for generations. The main street of the town is dominated by a massive rock of limestone crowned with the keep of an ancient castle of uncertain age but at least 800 years old. The Castle grounds contain formal gardens, tennis courts, bowling green and summerhouse cafeteria. Here too can be found the Castle Museum, well worth a visit to enjoy the exhibitions of geology and local life. Children will be fascinated with the sights and sounds of the recreated cloggers workshop, printers shop and lead mine.

Web: www.ribblevalley.gov.uk
Email: tourism@ribblevalley.gov.uk

Settle
Settle is the starting point of the famous Settle - Carlisle Railway line - one of the most scenic mainlines in England. A traditional Dales market town in the southern Yorkshire Dales, Settle offers an excellent base for walking. Choose from gentle riverside ambles, moderate walks over limestone fells or, for the more experienced, the Three Peaks Challenge. A town trail, available from the Tourist Information Centre, gives information about the many buildings of note including the Shambles, Town Hall and the Folly. There are also a pleasant range of shops, tea rooms and pubs in the town centre.

Settle Tourist Information Centre, Town Hall, Market Place, Settle, North Yorkshire

Tel: 01729 825192
Web: www.settle.org.uk
Email: settle@ytbtic.co.uk

Horton-in-Ribblesdale
Horton is the ideal place to explore the magnificent Three Peaks region of the Yorkshire Dales. Pen-y-Ghent, to the east is the smallest of the Three Peaks at 2272 ft and translates as ‘hill of the winds’. Next in height is Ingleborough at 2373 ft and highest is Whernside at 2418 ft. Alternatively there is much to be explored underground as this is an area rich in caves and potholes. Hull Pot, below Pen-y-Ghent and Alum Pot, above Selside are two of the better known ones and well worth a visit.

Horton-in-Ribblesdale Tourist Information Centre, Pen-y-ghent Café, Horton-in-Ribblesdale, Settle, North Yorkshire

Tel: 01729 860333
Email: horton@ytbtic.co.uk

Ribblehead
Alight at Ribblehead station for access to Hawes Market Place, Hawes Dales Museum, Bainbridge Green, Aysgarth, West Witton, Wensley, Leyburn Market Place and Richmond Market Place, Thwaite, Muker and Reeth.

Sedbergh
Via ‘DentDale’ coach link. Nestling in the foot of the Howgill fells and dating back to the Roman times, Sedbergh is a market town full of character with cobbled yards and fascinating houses, some of which bear the hallmarks of the town’s old knitting industry. With its old world atmosphere there is a good range of places to eat and shop, including a factory shop selling quality outdoor clothing made in Sedbergh, and a local pottery. Visit the fine Norman church, St.Andrew’s, and overlooking the town is the site of Castlehow, an ancient motte and bailey castle built to repel the Scottish hordes. George Fox, founder of the Quakers, preached both in the church of St.Andrew’s, and in the nearby Brigflatts Meeting House, which dates from 1675.

Sedbergh Tourist Information Centre, 72 Main Street, Sedbergh

Tel: 015396 20125
Email: tic@sedbergh.org.uk

Kirkby Stephen
The historic town of Kirkby Stephen, located approximately 1.5 miles from the station, has many excellent facilities to offer its visitors, including a large range of accommodation, places to eat, fascinating antiques and curio shops. On the southern edge of the town is the site of Croglin Castle, an example of prehistoric earthworks. The ruins of Pendragon Castle, lies deep in the magnificent Mallerstang Valley. The Devils Mustard Mill and Stenkrith Park are a short walk from the town, and for the young there are plenty of hungry ducks by Franks Bridge.

Kirkby Stephen Tourist Information Centre, Market St. Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria

Tel: 017683 71199
Email: ks.tic@eden.gov.uk

Appleby
Appleby is one of the most picturesque market towns in northern England. It is renowned for its friendly atmosphere where visitors will find a warm welcome, along with a variety of delightful small shops offering local crafts and specialities. Delightfully situated in the loop of the River Eden, the special town tours will highlight some of the features of the town. Explore the beautiful Church of St. Lawrence, containing one of the oldest surviving organs in the country or delve into the history of the Grammar School, attended by the half brothers of George Washington, first President of the USA. Peek into the peaceful courtyard of St. Anne’s Hospital - a group of almhouses originally built for thirteen poor widows of the Castle Estate. It is still maintained by the trust endowed by Lady Anne Clifford. Why not visit the 300 year old Appleby Horse Fair on Sunday 5th June, a colourful gathering of travelling people from all over the country, converging on the town to buy, sell and race horses and ponies.

Appleby Tourist Information Centre, Moot Hall, Boroughgate, Applebyin-Westmorland, Cumbria

Tel: 017683 51177
Web: www.golakes.co.uk
Email: info@golakes.co.uk

The Lower Eden Valley, Langwathby, Lazonby and Armathwaite
The Lower Eden Valley provides some interesting low level walks with views of the Eden Gorge and items of interest for the botanist, industrial archaeologist and photographer. Alight at Langwathby for Alston, Hadrian's Wall, and Nenthead.

Alston
Via ‘Hadrian’s Wall’ Coach Link and the ‘Tynedale Link’. A bustling town, where old stone buildings cling to the side of cobbled streets and narrow lanes lead to secret passageways. Alston has a reputation for home made specialities such as Cumberland Mustard and Alston cheese and boasts a potters, blacksmiths, wood turners, furniture makers, knitters, candle makers and rug makers. Alston is the place to come across the unexpected - a 21 foot diameter water wheel, a mill race running through the town, the start of the South Tynedale narrow gauge railway, antique shops, craft galleries and artists galore. An ideal starting point for many walks some taking in part of the Pennine Way, and the climb from the Eden Valley to England’s highest market town via Hartside (1903 feet) affords spectacular views of the Eden Valley, the Lake District National Park, Carlisle and the Solway Firth. Lead mining was once an important Industry throughout the area, and today remains of it can be seen at the lead mines at Nenthead Mines Heritage Centre. Use the Tynedale Link coach link to this site.

Alston Tourist Information Centre, Town Hall, Front Street, Alston, Cumbria

Tel: 01434 382244
Web: www.visiteden.co.uk
Email: alston.tic@eden.gov.uk

Hadrian’s Wall
Via ‘Hadrian’s Wall’ coach link. Hadrian’s Wall was built by the order of the Roman Emperor Hadrian following earlier attempts to bring peace to this turbulent area. The wall is now a world heritage site and there is much to excite the imagination... Why was it built? How successful was it? What was the vallum? What was the Stanegate?

Hadrian’s Wall Information Line
Tel: 01434 322002
Email: info@hadrian's-wall.org

Carlisle
Carlisle, a city of vital strategic importance, boasts a magnificent Castle founded in 1092 by William the Conqueror’s son, which now stands as testament to the years of feuding over the English - Scottish border. Explore its imposing dungeons and labyrinths; find the Licking Stones and prisoners’ carvings, as well as discovering how Bonnie Prince Charlie captured the Castle in 1745. You can also visit the city’s Cathedral, with its famous 14th century stained glass window and the award winning Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery, with its innovative Millennium Gallery.

Carlisle Tourist Information Centre, Old Town Hall, Green Market, Carlisle, Cumbria

Tel: 01228 625600
Web: www.historic-carlisle.gov.uk
Email: tourism@carlisle.gov.uk

Hawes
Use the Wensleydale Link coach service. The capital of the Northern Dales, Hawes, the name meaning a ‘pass between mountains’, offers a variety of craft studio’s and visitor centres. Visit the Dales Countryside Museum and come face to face with the past and discover the story of the people of the Dales. The Wensleydale Creamery makes some of the most delicious cheeses in Britain and the Rope works carries on the ancient craft of rope making. A mile away is Hardraw Force, a spectacular waterfall in a wooded ravine just outside the tiny hamlet of Hardraw. Comprising a single drop of 100 feet from a rocky overhang, Hardraw Force is claimed to be Britain’s highest unbroken waterfall.

Hawes Tourist Information Centre, Dales Countryside Museum, Station Yard, Hawes.

Tel: 01969 666210
Email: hawes@ytbtic.co.uk
Web: www.wensleydale.org/hawes & www.yorkshiredales.org/dales/ndHawes.htm

Leyburn
Using the Wensleydale Link coach service Leyburn’s position on a high scar overlooking the Dales offers walks, castles and gardens nearby. At the heart of Wensleydale Leyburn offers unusual tea pottery, craft workshops and galleries and a fine arts and antiques auction house. For rail enthusiasts it is possible to ride the Wensleydale Railway. Trains operate every Sunday and link Leyburn with Redmire and Leeming Bar. For further information about the Wensleydale Railway ring 08454 505474.

Leyburn Tourist Information Centre, 4 Central Chambers, Leyburn

Tel: 01969 623069
Email: leyburn@ytbtic.co.uk
Web: www.wensleydalerailway.com and www.yorkshiredales.org/dales/ndLeyburn.htm

Notes:
A Sundays: 23 March, 4 May, 18 May to 29 June and 27 July to 19 October
B Sundays: 18 May until 29 June and from 27 July until 14 September
Trolley service of drinks and light refreshments available for part of the journey

Outward Journeys

	A	B
Blackpool North	08.42
Poulton-le-Fylde	08.48
Kirkham and Wesham	08.57
Preston	09.10	10.00
Lostock Hall	09.15	10.05
Bamber Bridge	09.18	10.08
Blackburn	09.30	10.22
Ramsgreave & Wilpshire	09.36	10.28
Langho	09.41	10.33
Whalley	09.46	10.38
Clitheroe	09.53	10.45
Hellifield	10.16	11.08
Settle	10.36	11.17
Horton-in-Ribblesdale	10.45	11.26
Ribblehead	10.53	11.34
Dent	11.03	11.44
Garsdale	11.08	11.49
Kirkby Stephen	11.21	12.02
Appleby	11.35	12.16
Langwathby	11.49	12.30
Lazonby	11.55	12.36
Armathwaite	12.03	12.44
Carlisle	12.18	12.59

Return Journeys

	A	B
Carlisle	12.18	12.59
Armathwaite	15.45	17.44
Lazonby	15.52	17.52
Langwathby	15.59	17.58
Appleby	16.14	18.14
Kirkby Stephen	16.27	18.27
Garsdale	16.41	18.40
Dent	16.46	18.46
Ribblehead	16.56	18.55
Horton-in-Ribblesdale	17.03	19.02
Settle	17.12	19.10
Hellifield	17.20	19.20
Clitheroe	17.49	19.47
Whalley	17.55	19.55
Langho	18.00	20.00
Ramsgreave & Wilpshire	18.05	20.05
Blackburn	18.15	20.14
Bamber Bridge	18.25	20.24
Lostock Hall	18.27	20.26
Preston	18.37	20.36
Kirkham & Wesham		20.46
Poulton-le-Fylde		20.54
Blackpool North		21.03

Great Value Fares

TO	Hellifield Settle Horton-in-Ribblesdale Ribblehead	Dent Garsdale Kirkby Stephen Appleby Langwathby	Lazonby Armathwaite Carlisle
FROM
Manchester Salford Crescent Bolton Chorley	Adult: £16.00 Child: £8.00 Railcard: £10.55 DalesRail 2-4: £26.00	Adult: £19.00 Child: £9.50 Railcard: £12.55 DalesRail 2-4: £31.00	Adult: £24.00 Child: £12.00 Railcard: £15.85 DalesRail 2-4: £37.00
Blackpool North Poulton-le-Fylde Kirkham & Wesham Preston Lostock Hall Bamber Bridge	Adult: £13.00 Child: £6.50 Railcard: £8.60 DalesRail 2-4: £20.00	Adult: £16.00 Child: £8.00 Railcard: £10.55 DalesRail 2-4: £26.00	Adult: £20.00 Child: £10.00 Railcard: £13.20 DalesRail 2-4: £32.00
Blackburn Ramsgreave & Wilpshire Langho Whalley Clitheroe	Adult: £10.00 Child: £5.00 Railcard: £6.60 DalesRail 2-4: £15.00	Adult: £13.00 Child: £6.50 Railcard: £8.60 DalesRail 2-4: £20.00	Adult: £17.00 Child: £8.50 Railcard: £11.20 DalesRail 2-4: £27.00