AN authoritative guide to the history, landscape and lore along the scenic line between Settle and Carlisle, by an established travel writer and railway aficionado has been published.

Widely known as England’s most scenic line, the Settle–Carlisle Railway (built 1869 to 1876) crosses the country’s most remote and dramatic landscapes.

It is, uniquely for a railway in the UK, a Conservation Area in its own right. That includes its viaducts, tunnels, bridges, stations, trackside structures and railway workers’ cottages – collectively, an incredible monument to the Industrial Revolution.

Walking the Line, by Stan Abbott has already attracted praise from actor and presenter Michael Palin who says the book is: ‘A vital account of an amazing story’.

Walking the route from Settle to Carlisle – which can be a series of day trips or one long-distance itinerary – Stan finds himself up close to the magnificent architecture and makes it his mission to uncover stories of the people who built and worked the line and what we can find today.

He immerses himself in the lonely and lofty fells and witnesses dramatic scenery from the Dales through the Pennines to the limestone pavements of Westmorland and the green Eden Valley.

In the company of this knowledgeable guide, the armchair reader, walker and day-tripper will discover centuries worth of local history and traditions: Roman remains, medieval castles, and the Romani who still meet at the annual Appleby Horse Fair gathering.

And of course, the story of the line itself.

Saraband publisher Sara Hunt said: “Walking the Line is a must for everyone who loves railways, the Dales and Eden Valley, or who wants to discover this fascinating, beautiful, historic and relatively wild corner of the country.

The book is packed with stories, hidden places and local lore.”

Stan Abbott’s career as a journalist began in York and has seen him write for many national and regional newspapers and magazines.

He ran a successful publishing business in the Yorkshire Dales and has also worked in the airline industry, and in tourism in the UK and Europe.

He has edited several books and magazines and has written three books about the Settle & Carlisle Railway.

Stan said: “I’m delighted to be back in Settle during Independent Bookshop Week to launch Walking the Line.

“I’ve renewed so many friendships in this lovely town, as writing Walking the Line has been not just an adventure but also a trip down memory lane for me. I was living in the Yorkshire Dales when I first became involved in the long campaign to save the railway.

“When Walking the Line was first conceived, none of us could have predicted the COVID pandemic and I did have to work around two lockdowns to complete my journey. I’m so grateful to the publicans and others along the route who helped make this possible.

“Since then I’ve been thrilled once again to be able to travel on the line in connection with my research for a future book – at all times I’ve felt both safe and comfortable and I’m so pleased that the line is once again taking eager walkers to the heart of some of the best countryside in England.

“My book is not a guidebook as such, but I hope that readers may find it inspires them to take their own train trips from Settle and other stations and then to walk a section of the Settle-Carlisle Way.

“None of the walk is difficult and the stations on the line are perfectly placed to take advantage of the train services, whose frequency is now returning towards normal so as to offer the best possible opportunity for walkers to alight at one station, enjoy a day or half-day’s walking, and then return to base from another.”

Costing £9.99, the book is published by Saraband an award-winning independent publisher.

It covers 235 pages with 15 colour photos

Stan will be signing copies of his book and talking to readers today, Thursday, June 24, outside Limestone Books, in Settle market place, between 11.30am and 1.30pm.

Limestone Books opened at the end of September 2019. Owner/bookseller Tanya Carter, was inspired to open the shop by seeing fantastic independent bookshops in other towns, and through a desire to share her life-long love of books.

Tanya, who moved to the Dales from Cambridge in 2012, believes that a good bookshop is so much more than that – it’s a part of the community.