New rail service to launch from Manchester to Yorkshire Dales

People in the North West will soon be able to explore the Yorkshire Dales with ease thanks to a new Northern rail service.

The Yorkshire Dales Explorer will run from Rochdale to Ribblehead twice a day each Saturday, with the first train setting off on June 8. It will call at Manchester Victoria, Salford Crescent, Bolton, Blackburn, Clitheroe, Hellifield and Settle.

Return tickets from Manchester Victoria to Ribblehead will cost travellers £25. The journey between the two stations will take around two hours, travelling along a stunning scenic route.

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Craig Harrop, regional director for Northern, said: “We’re excited to introduce this brand-new service that will allow customers to travel into the heart of the Dales at a reasonable price this summer.

“They can get off the train at Hellifield, Settle, Horton-in-Ribblesdale or Ribblehead if they want to get out and explore the spectacular national park.”

Train will depart from Rochdale at 7.52am and 2.52pm on Saturday. It will call at 18 stops before heading to Ribblehead while the return trains will depart from Ribblehead at 11.08am and 6.05pm.

Lizzie Bushby, member champion for recreation management at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, said: “We’re really pleased that Northern is running this service. It will provide opportunities for visitors from the North West to visit the National Park this summer.

“The journey itself will be a great experience with amazing views of the National Park, and there will be lots to do when people arrive.”

Richard Watts, chair of Community Rail Lancashire, said: "This is an exciting development which Community Rail Lancashire will