Carnforth Station

Tom Grieve, Cinema Editor
Visit Lancashire, Carnforth Station Heritage Centre

Carnforth Station is no ordinary railway station. The pivotal setting for much of film director David Lean’s iconic Brief Encounter, the station has embraced its place in cinema history to become a tourist attraction unlike any other. Stand on Platform 1 with its vintage suitcases and railway posters and you can cast yourself back to 1945…to a time when steam trains stopped here, when Lean pointed his camera at stars Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard. Film would have been whirring and the big movie lights would have emitted some warmth on the winter nights.

Lovingly restored in 2003, the station has been careful to preserve as much of that atmosphere as possible. Staffed by volunteers, today there is a refreshment room and Heritage Centre where there are exhibits which outline the life of David Lean, and the films — which include The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957), Lawrence of Arabia (1962) and Doctor Zhivago (1965) — he directed. Visitors can also watch Brief Encounter in a vintage mini cinema, complete with tip up seats, or pay a visit to the on-site gift shop, which is stocked with enough themed merchandise to almost feel like an exhibition in itself.

The Heritage CentreWarton RoadLA5 9TR View map
Telephone: 01524735165 Visit Now

What's on near Carnforth Station

Visit Blackpool.
Until
FestivalsBlackpool
Showzam!

A festival of Circus, Magic and Variety, set to take place during the February half-term holidays. There will be a blend of live performances, illusions, street acts and more.

from £14.00
Keswick Town
CinemaCumbria
Keswick Film Festival

Keswick Film Festival marks 25 years with a programme featuring some of the best of contemporary independent cinema, alongside select classics, and work from some choice Cumbrian talent.

from £5.00

Where to go near Carnforth Station

Leighton Hall
Event venue
Leighton Hall

Famous collection of Gillow furniture and objets d’art, plus gardens and woodland walks. Educational ‘bee corner’, ‘woodland hotel’ and ‘caterpillar maze’ for children.

Morecambe
Event venue
Gaskell Hall

The Gaskell Hall was opened in 1931 and is named after Elizabeth Gaskell, the novelist who regularly stayed in the village.

Lancashire
Gallery
The Crescent Gallery

Morecambe gallery which showcases and sells contemporary works, often by artists from the area, which are varied and beautiful.

Eden Project North

Opening in 2024, Morecambe bay will become a centre for eco tourism with the exciting arrival of the Eden Project North.

Quite Simply French
Lancaster
Hotel
Quite Simply French

Quite Simply French is an award-winning restaurant selling French classics including frogs legs, snails, charcuterie and steak in Lancaster.

White Elephant Gallery, Morecambe
Morecambe
Gallery
White Elephant Gallery

White Elephant gallery is a radical art space that has set out to bring cutting-edge contemporary art to the seaside town of Morecambe.

The Grand Theatre in Lancaster
Lancaster
Theatre
The Grand Theatre, Lancaster

First opened in 1782, the theatre is now host to amateur drama, music and dance and professional touring companies. Tours of the historic building are available

An interior shot of the arches within Lancaster Priory
Lancaster Priory

Lancaster Priory Church is a vibrant, open and inclusive church at the heart of Lancaster. Music, education and community are at the heart of their mission.

Judge’s Lodgings, Lancaster, Lancashire
Lancaster
Museum
Judges’ Lodgings

The Judges’ Lodgings is the oldest town house in Lancaster, whose exhibitions and events bring the stories of the city to life.

Culture Guides

Poet Evan Jones
Literature Events in the North

Some of our favourite leftfield live literature regulars are back with their first events of the year – we’ve picked a weird and wonderful heap we think you’ll love.

Good Fridaze Family Social at Freight Island
Family things to do in the North

As we edge towards spring we take a look at the best events and activities for families, from theatre to festivals, dinosaur adventures to family raves.

NEXT: A Primer on Urban Painting production still
Cinema in the North

Street art, LGBTQ+ History Month, and the first film festivals of the year are amongst our cinema highlights this month.

A painting of a young child being bathed in a sink of a 197s style kitchen. Around the sink are a rubber duck, a bottle of  washing up liquid, a jug, a kettle and a mug.
Exhibitions in the North

Galleries are racing to announce new exhibitions so check out our top picks, from art films and nostalgic paintings to Hockney's collages.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

Feminist farce, a magical circus show and Oldham Coliseum return with a brand-new off-site show. All in our latest theatre guide.

FKA TWIGS
Music in the North

Masters of minimalism, leftfield electronica and cutting edge pop. We bring you the lot in our latest live music round up.