Cumbria trip help

[Tractor86]

Hello all, I would be grateful for any pointers regarding a planned trip please.

I am looking to go from Chorley to Carlisle but via the beautiful Cumbrian coast line. Then back to Chorley but this part can be WCML.

Would I need to buy all single fares Chorley-Preston-Barrow-Carlisle
Carlisle-Preston-Chorley
Or are there any ranger/rover type tickets that I could take advantage of?

I want to start from my home station rather than Preston due to the extortionate car parking.

Many thanks for any help

 

[30907]

An Anytime Return ANY PERMITTED costs £47.70 adult, and is valid both ways according to NRE. Unfortunately the various TOCs have introduced route restrictions on Offpeak tickets.

An Offpeak Day Return to Maryport VIA BARROW is £31 and would cover the full coastal stretch, returning the same way. Maryport is historic but pretty rundown - Whitehaven is a bit better.

From Lancaster you can use either of these (details on the Northern website)
Cumbrian Coast Round Robin £33.70
Lakes Day Ranger £25.90 (only valid to Workington/Penrith but between the two it is valid by bus)

As the Offpeak Day Return CRL-LAN is £15.60 the Round Robin isn't worth it.
but the Lakes Day Ranger is the bus - IMO that gives you the best bits; I have used it several times and mostly come back via Keswick-Windermere on the 555)

 

[NorthWestRover]

If you're 55 or over you can use the Northern Explorer 55 if you are happy to go the Cumbrian Coast in both directions. Only valid after 9.30 M-F, any time at weekends. Only valid on Northern trains. Only costs £15.90.

 

[Bertie the bus]

If you want to go different ways there and back you'd be better off buying an off peak day return to Glasgow and just travel as far as Carlisle. That is valid via the WCML or the Cumbrian Coast and costs £42.90.

 

[Tractor86]

Thank you for all your suggestions. As a side note, I have a disabled rail card and am 35.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

One other suggestion is Chorley->Ravenglass. Off Peak Day Return (via Barrow) is £27.80 (£18.30 with your railcard discount). The Ravenglass steam narrow gauge railway reopens 12FEB2022. Not sure if combined fares are available again. Bit of a faff working out an itinerary if pre-booking is still required on La'al Ratty this year.

 

[Tractor86]

One other suggestion is Chorley->Ravenglass. Off Peak Day Return (via Barrow) is £27.80 (£18.30 with your railcard discount). The Ravenglass steam narrow gauge railway reopens 12FEB2022. Not sure if combined fares are available again. Bit of a faff working out an itinerary if pre-booking is still required on La'al Ratty this year.

Ooh I had totally forgotten about the narrow gauge railway, thanks!