The Settle-Carlisle Railway Conservation Area (SCRCA) web-portal

Welcome to the
Settle-Carlisle Railway Conservation Area
web-portal

The SCRCA

A map showing the location of the Settle-Carlisle Railway Conservation Area (SCRCA).
Map showing the location
of the Settle-Carlisle
Railway Conservation
Area (SCRCA).

The Settle-Carlisle Railway Conservation Area (SCRCA) is a 78-mile section of mainline railway in northwest England that is considered to be an area of special architectural and historical interest.

In a bid to preserve the character and appearance of this historically important section of Britain's national rail network, it was officially designated a conservation area in 1991.

It is the longest conservation area in the United Kingdom and it covers the entire railway (including all of the associated historic structures) between Hellifield Junction in North Yorkshire and Carlisle Citadel Station in Cumbria.

The adjacent map shows the location of the SCRCA and the photo-montage below gives a flavour of what the conservation area has to offer.

As evidenced by the photographs in the montage below, this fascinating railway passes through - and provides easy access to - some of the most attractive and dramatic scenery in England.

Montage of 13 photos illustrating the scenic qualities of the Settle-Carlisle Railway Conservation Area.

The Settle-Carlisle Railway Conservation Area:
architecture and landscape in perfect harmony.

Grand Tours

If you've plenty of time, make yourself comfortable, then use one of the links below to take a virtual grand tour of the entire conservation area:

Heritage Hotspots

If you've limited time, or if you're seeking ideas for a real-world visit, check-out the following 'highlight' locations. They're all easily accessible by train.

Background Reading

A series of general articles accompanies and expands upon the location-specific information.

    The SCRCA Project

    The goal of the SCRCA Project is to facilitate and encourage the interpretation and public enjoyment of the Settle-Carlisle Railway Conservation Area and to provide an information resource that will assist those responsible for managing it.

    However, it is important to stress that, as independent volunteers, our role is purely supportive. We have no direct responsibility or liability for any part of the conservation area or for any of the structures located within it.

    If you'd like to learn more about the SCRCA Project, start with the Introduction and Overview page.

    To learn more about conservation areas generally and the reasoning behind the SCRCA Project, see the Background and Context page.

    The SCRCA Project is entirely dependent on volunteers and other contributors. If you think you might be able to help us, please refer to the Plea for Information and Images and Getting Involved pages in the first instance.

    If you'd like to get in touch with the SCRCA Project team, you can use the web-portal to Contact Us.

    The SCRCA Showcase
    (a.k.a. What's new?)

    New location-specific images and brief snippets of location-specific information are uploaded to the SCRCA web-portal on an occassional basis and they appear automatically in the relevant location summaries. However, for the benefit of our regular virtual visitors, they can also be accessed 'out of context' via the following pages:

    New articles, longer snippets and special image collections are also uploaded from time to time. The most recent are listed and introduced below (in reverse date order).

    23rd May 2022

    Three background articles have been uploaded based on recent Facebook posts:

    24th April 2022

    A Facebook page has been created for the SCRCA Project with the following objectives:

    • to increase awareness of the conservation area generally and the SCRCA web-portal in particular; and
    • to share occasional SCRCA Project updates and other SCRCA-related posts with a wider audience.

    The page can be accessed via:
    https://www.facebook.com/SCRCA.UK

    9th January 2022

    A new background article by David O'Farrell has been uploaded - see "The Brickworks at Culgaith".

    The article "Brick works in the Cotehill area" has been expanded to include additional information garnered from "Draining the Cumbrian Landscape" by E. & S.B. Davis (published by the Cumberland & Westmorland Antiquarian & Archaeological Society in 2013).

    12th November 2021

    The article "What are railway gradient posts and why are they necessary?" has been expanded to include:

    • scale drawings of the two Midland Railway Company gradient post variants that can still be seen within the SCRCA; and
    • an additional gradient profile covering the line between Settle Junction and Carlisle Citadel Station, complete with track layout enlargements for Settle, Garsdale Junction, Appleby, Langwathby, Lazonby & Kirkoswald, Petterill Bridge and Carlisle.

    Also, the two original gradient profiles have been replaced with edited versions that are slightly easier to read.