By Train

With stations at both Arnside and Silverdale in the AONB, and Carnforth Station (made famous by the film "Brief Encounter") just to the south, there are excellent rail connections to get to the AONB by train. The train also fits into all sorts of activities when you are in the AONB, with some walks in the area that use the train to get back to your starting point.

Trans-Pennine Express services from Arnside and Silverdale connect with Barrow and Lancaster where you can change for mainline services. Frequent trains also provide a direct service to Manchester and Manchester Airport, with a smaller number of direct services to Liverpool each day.

It is also possible to catch Northern Trains services that call at stations to Barrow and then run up the scenic West Coast Line to Carlisle calling at such small stations as Foxfield, Kirkby in Furness, Ravenglass (for the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway). Services also call at Whitehaven, Workington and Wigton on route to Carlisle.

You can look at the Northern Rail live departure board for Arnside Station here.