T

he Settle to Carlisle railway isn’t your average train journey.

Short enough for a daytrip, long enough to make you yearn for the outdoors, you’ll steam across the Pennines until, out of nowhere, Ribblehead Viaduct rises out of the valleys below.

As puffs of steam track your progress across its 24 arches, it’s hard to take your eyes off the backdrop of Whernside – one of the area’s three famous peaks.

Luckily, there’s no need to. From the comfort of your carriage, you get an exclusive, panoramic view of the surrounding Yorkshire dales from 32 metres up. Inaccessible to cars, walkers and cyclists, the slightly curved tracks of the viaduct allow you to take in the full scale of the river crossing.

And trust us, no matter who asks, this is one trip where you won’t want to give up the window seat.