Photo courtesy of www.visitcumbria.com. Steam Special – 21 May 2005 at Langwathby station.
The Station
Langwathby is an unmanned station having a waiting room on each platform. The main station building is now occupied by Brief Encounter, a popular café/restaurant.
The station closed to passengers on 4th May 1970 after being unstaffed since 1967.
Local stations were re-opened in 1986 prior to the line being finally reprieved in 1989.
For much more information on the station including facilities and photos visit the Settle-carlisle partnership website.
The Weather Right Now
Planning your trip in advance? Click on “Extended Forecast” for a 10 day outlook.
The Local Area
A large village green occupies the centre of Langwathby and is bordered by cottages, farmhouses and a pub. The Great North Air Ambulance, Cumbrian base is also located by Langwathby station.
Just off the village green, within walking distance from the station is Eden Ostrich World, it opened in 1998 and within 3 months the attraction had gained the Cumbria Tourist Boards prestigious, Best Visitor Attraction in Cumbria award. Eden Ostrich World is home to many farm animals and is still a working farm. The site is classed as a site of special scientific interest due to the varieties of Birds and Wildlife. Unfortunately Eden Ostrich World is closed for winter.
Langwathby is also famous for a scarecrow festival, which has taken place annually since 2004 and is usually held sometime in July. There is also a May Day event held each year in Langwathby which includes Maypole dancing from the village children, fancy dress, a Brass Band, entertainment, stalls, rides and much more. For a small village Langwathby certainly has a lot to offer.
Not far from Langwathby are Long Meg and her daughters, also known as Maughanby Circle. Long Meg and her daughters is a Bronze Age stone circle and is the third largest stone circle in England. Long Meg herself is a 12’ high piece of sandstone, on which are carved spiral patterns, thought to be at least 4,500 years old. The circle was probably used for rituals associated with the changing of seasons, the setting midwinter sun is aligned with the column stone of Long Meg. The circle itself is composed of 59 stones with only 27 of those- standing which is a significant decrease from the original 70 stones. The largest of the remaining stones weighs in at a hefty 29 tons. In addition to the circle itself- are the legends associated with it. Local folklore says that the stones were a coven of witches who were holding a sabbat, some time in the thirteenth century. Michael Scot, a wizard from Scotland, found them so engaged and cast a spell over the assembled country, turning them all into stones. It is said that the stones are uncountable – the legend says that if anyone does manage to count all stones twice in a row, the spell will be undone. Another legend, unique to this site; it is said that if Long Meg herself was damaged, she would begin to bleed.
Find the Station
Find the station and explore the local area on Google Maps. Click on “Directions” in the Balloon to get driving directions, and where available walking and cycling directions, without leaving our website.
