A circular scenic afternoon and evening land cruise this Father’s Day taking in some of Northern England’s most scenic stretches of railway including the famous Settle to Carlisle Railway with time for a meal and drink in the Cumbrian Border city of Carlisle. Travel on this sociable family day excursion is in traditional Intercity carriages with a choice of pickups between Liverpool, Huyton, St Helens and Wigan.

BRIEF ROUTE COMMENTARY: The train starts its journey north from Wigan by way of Coppull, Euxton ad Leyland as we take the West Coast Mainline, via Preston, then running adjacent to the Trough of Bowland, Lancaster, Morecambe Bay, Kendal (and the edge of the Lakes), Tebay, and climbing over Shap Fells before dropping down into Penrith the Eden Valley finally reaching Carlisle for our afternoon meal and rest break.

Our return route runs via the most famous scenic railway in England, the Settle to Carlisle line (see www.settle-carlisle.co.uk). The route again begins by traversing the Eden Valley, but this time further to the East as we run via Lazonby, Langwathby and Appleby in a South Easterly direction. Following our passage through Appleby we begin to climb, passing Kirkby Stephen and eventually onto to Ais Gill, Blea Moor and the line’s famous 24 arches of Ribblehead viaduct. The train then drops down through miles of beautiful scenery to the town of Settle, thence Hellifield. From Hellifield we head out of North Yorkshire and back into Lancashire along a hilly and remote railway, which sees very few passenger trains normally and takes us via one of the most mysterious and barren bits of the North towards Pendle Hill and Clitheroe (so called “Lancashire Witch Country”). Continuing at a sleepy pace we cross the grand brick viaduct at Whalley before a further steep climb and then dropping down via Ramsgreave and into the town of Blackburn. Another hilly run via Cherry Tree and Pleasington sees us rejoin our outward route (to the south of Preston) and from Wigan we begin bidding our farewells to everybody following an enjoyable selection of the finest scenery in England. CITY OF CARLISLE: - we anticipate arrival time here is likely to be around 14:20. This great border city dominates the borderlands between England and Scotland, sitting within the vale between the Cumbrian Mountains and Scottish Southern Uplands. In Carlisle you’ll find yourself at the centre of a stirring past and a vibrant present.

Carlisle is full of pubs, restaurants and bars so the perfect destination to go for an afternoon father’s day meal should you wish to celebrate this annual special date in the calendar among your friends and family, or simply join us for the simple pleasure and sake of travelling. Many of the city’s eateries and licensed premises are just a few minutes walk from the station entrance and if you visit www.historic-carlisle.org.uk you will find information to help you plan ahead and perhaps book a table at your chosen eatery for your travel companions, which will obviously guarantee you get your pick of venue in advance. Passengers should note that the train does convey a normal buffet car (with a selection of hot and cold drinks, alcohol, hot and cold snacks) but is not able to cook full meals so we strongly advise that unless you are bringing a picnic hamper and catering for yourselves on both journey’s that your main meal be taken at Carlisle. And for those who would prefer to use their time to look around in the beautiful and historic heart of the city you may choose to stroll between the castle, cathedral or indeed the Tullie House Museum – all, of course, surrounded by great places to shop, eat or to be entertained so creating the perfect way to spend an afternoon with your travel companions. Departure from Carlisle should be around 16:50.

RELATED WEBSITES:
www.visitcumbria.com/car/carlisle.htm www.aboutbritain.com/towns/Carlisle.asp www.historic-carlisle.org.uk www.settle-carlisle.co.uk

CONFIRMED TIMINGS:

** = Please note that as well as a wide selection of bus connections from across Merseyside we anticipate that passengers from the Wirral and all areas of (and near to) the city of Liverpool on the Merseyrail system will be able to make use of connecting rail services to Liverpool Lime Street (or Liverpool Central) to reach our excursion and get back home. But as a reminder these connections are all at your own expense (where applicable) and we cannot guarantee any rail connections into or out of the excursion so these should be utilised at your own risk and travel times checked in advance of the date. Please allow plenty of time for your inward connections to Liverpool if coming in by public transport and if you are using Merseyrail trains to come into the city please check to see if there is any engineering work affecting your particular route into Liverpool (and subsequent revised train/bus times if that does apply to you).

TRAIN FARES:
£41 - Standard Class (16 years and above)
£31 - Standard Class (child of 15 years of age or below)
£66** - First Class (all ages)
** - Note in First Class there are a few tables for two available for additional privacy – you may request these at £10 supplement PER PERSON, subject to availability (advance reservation essential).
Click here for a printable booking form.

CHILDREN UNDER 5 YRS can be brought on the train free of charge only if not taking up a seat and sharing seats with accompanying adults.

REFRESHMENTS: A buffet service of snacks, hot and cold drinks, and alcoholic beverages is available to all our passengers throughout the day – as well as an at seat trolley service in first class seating areas, operating at occasional intervals.

THE TRAIN: The train is hired in and operated through licensed UK rolling stock providers and train operating companies and formed entirely of traditional intercity carriages hauled by heritage British Built diesel traction throughout. First class passengers are seated in tables of 2 or 4 seats with curtains, larger more deeply cushioned reclining seating. Standard class is seated mainly in bays of 4 seats around a table (but some trains convey a little standard class accommodation with private ‘airline’ style bays which have 2 seats together with folding tables – please contact our office though if you are unsure as to whether they are specifically available). If you have specific seating requests or type – please give us plenty of notice, ideally when booking.

Many of our recent Railtours have been very busy or fully subscribed so early booking is advised!

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