WE continue our series of railway walks - with a strenuous 11.3-mile walk from Wennington to Carlisle.

It offers a taste of the history of the Lune Valley, passing a medieval motte and bailey and World War Two pillbox, before crossing the Lune by the ancient bridge at Gressingham and an old village green.

And the final leg goes along the Lancaster Canal to reach Carnforth, a town steeped in railway history.

It was here that part of the classic film, Brief Encounter, was shot.

It starred Celia Johnson as Laura, a married woman with children, whose conventional life becomes increasingly complicated because of a chance meeting at a railway station with a stranger, Alec, played by Trevor Howard.

Carnforth Station was renamed Milford Junction in the film - and its iconic refreshment room has been faithfully restored to its 1940s glory.

The walk is one of a series of 12 which link neighbouring stations along the Bentham Line between Heysham Port and Skipton. It has been put together by Stuart Ballard, on behalf of the Leeds-Morecambe Community Rail Partnership (CRP) and the Lancaster and Skipton Rail User Group (LASRUG).

For more railway walks, visit communityraillancashire.co.uk/walks/self-guided-walks

Step by step

Exit Wennington Station, turn right, cross River Wenning bridge. Turn left to Melling along Lodge Lane. Pass Wennington Hall School (R). Just after leaving Wennington, at top of hill, turn left along surfaced drive to Lodge Farm. Cross rail tunnel, and see waste heaps (L). Pass Lodge Farm (R).

Continue straight ahead, pass Park House farm buildings (R) and follow track around towards farm house. Just before house turn right up yard and pass

through two gates into field. Continue up field and follow way-markers. Follow wall to right of Windy Bank Barn to top of track, passing disused quarry (L), and follow down until it levels off.

Veer right and head down across field to field gate in hedge onto main A683 road. (Take care; there is fast-moving traffic). Turn right towards oncoming traffic as far as approaching right hand bend, then cross road carefully and walk a short distance around the bend, back to traffic, to a step stile in hedge with footpath sign. Cross stile and turn left and head towards Holme Head Farm. Keep to right of farm and head straight towards the Castle Stede mound.

Go around Castle Stede mound, keeping it on right, and pass old World War Two pillbox (R). Cross stile onto road, turn right and cross Loyn Bridge over River Lune. Go straight on at Z-bend along Fleet Lane, signed ‘Eskrigge ¾’. Pass Fleets Farm (L). Turn left at T-junction, then fork right up hill. Follow Lea Lane around to right at entrance to Belle View Farmhouse. At top of hill, look back to see Hornby Castle in the valley.

At T-junction, cross road to left and then turn right up bridleway track, and follow this directly to a stable yard and the B6252, turn left. (Take care; busy road) Red Well pub is to the right. Turn left and follow the road towards Halton.

Turn right at next road junction. Carry straight on at following junction, Swarthdale (R). Just past a wood (R) take path to right. Cross first wall/hedge and follow left fork path towards Kirk House. Pass Kirk House (L). Continue to road, turn right and follow road down to Post Office/Store (L) and Over Kellet village green.

Cross Over Kellet green close to cross and war memorial, cross B6254, and go down Capenwray-Borwick road. Turn left down Kellet Lane, cross Kellet Lane Bridge (traffic lights) and immediately turn left down onto the Lancaster Canal towpath which goes through Carnforth.

Follow the towpath under the M6 motorway, then the A601(M) link road (Bridge No 129A). Go under canal bridge No 129 and immediately turn right, either up the steps, or up the incline to lane. Turn left up lane to road. Turn left into North Road. Turn right down Hawk Street. Turn left up Lancaster Road (A6) towards traffic lights. Turn right down Market Street for station at bottom of hill.