Carnforth tells a good story. Its place as a former railway town is significant in its narrative: having become the junction of three major railway lines in the Victorian era and gaining fame from its feature in the 1945 romance Brief Encounter.
It was, and is, a home to steam trains, with the West Coast Railways depot in Crag Bank today continuing the use of historic steam locomotives for popular rail tours across the UK.
But it’s not just a place for train fanatics. The ironworks play another role in the town’s story, when large deposits of limestone – used in the smelting process – made it an ideal location for the job. The Carnforth Ironworks Company was established in 1846, with its railway running from 1866 to 1929, housing its workers in specially built terraced houses.
Today the town remains a great place for outdoor-lovers, sitting alongside Lancaster Canal and surrounded by rolling hills and beautiful countryside. It’s a lovely setting for a cosy winter’s day walk, with Warton Crag Local Nature Reserve, RSPB Leighton Moss and Leighton Hall Estate just next door, as well as some amazing panoramic views of Morecambe Bay.
It’s a perfect location, nestled within easy reach of the beauty of Lancaster, Morecambe and the Lake District. There is a lovely selection of playgrounds for the youngsters and it’s a great place for dog-lovers, too, with plenty of nearby walks, grooming parlours and dog-friendly stores.
For a proper nosy through the town and a delve into its historic buildings, the heritage trail starts and ends at the railway station, taking walkers on a circular route past features like Station House, the former home of Station Masters; the Civic Hall, a former drill hall for the 5th Battalion King’s Own Royal Regiment; and 101 North Road, the former home of Lord Cecil Parkinson of Carnforth.
It’s a great place to support local, as tucked away from the main road is an abundance of independent shops, cafes and restaurants, with everything from home interiors and craft workshops to bookshops, cycle stores, micro pubs and breweries. An afternoon well spent, if you ask me.
CARNFORTH STATION HERITAGE STATION
Carnforth Railway Station has been making headlines since film director David Lean decided it would make a great backdrop for his 1945 film Brief Encounter, a love story starring Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard.
It’s a place to travel back in time to recreate the iconic movie scenes on Platform 1 of the fictional Milford Junction before reliving the era in the Heritage Centre, enjoying refreshments in the tea rooms recently refurbished to resemble the Brief Encounter set, and watching the film in the vintage mini cinema complete with tip-up seats.
Enjoy the nostalgia with vintage railway posters and memorabilia, learn about the fascinating life of David Lean and his iconic films and shop ‘til you drop in the centre shop with crafts and collectables. Explore Carnforth’s heritage and history, too, with a short film about both the town and its heritage centre.
Guests are able to learn about the people living on the 1940s home front, hear about Carnforth’s age of steam and enjoy a handful of visiting exhibitions from local artists, photographers and poets.
The station is now staffed by a team of lovely volunteers after it came back to life in 2003, and has since won a number of awards including a Certificate of Excellence from tripadvisor and tourism awards.
