Could Carnforth be the North West’s ideal base for work, family and leisure? In the third of our series all about the increasing draw of moving to the Lake District for Manchester residents, we take a look at Carndforth, a small town with a lot going for it for those who want an easy balance of country living with city benefits.

Situated between the Lake District and the Lancashire coast, just 7 miles north of Lancaster, Carnforth offers the perfect blend of countryside charm and commuter convenience. With excellent transport links to Manchester and the M6, a friendly community, good schools and easy access to the glories of the Lake District, it’s no wonder more people are choosing to move to Carnforth. From scenic canal walks to the famous Brief Encounter railway station, this small but lively town has something for everyone — whether you’re seeking a peaceful retirement spot, a family-friendly base, or a commuter’s haven close to the Lakes.

Transport Links

One of Carnforth’s biggest advantages is its connectivity. The town sits just off the M6, should you prefer to commute on four wheels, but perhaps more appealing is it’s railway station which offers regular services to Manchester, taking around an hour and 15 minutes, Lancaster (just 10 minutes). For those who like to travel, you can even let the train take the strain to Manchester Airport, which is certainly one way to beat those new parking charges.

Schools

With around 5,500 residents, Carnforth is served by a number of well-regarded schools, ideal for families moving to the area with children of any age. There are four state-funded primary schools: Carnforth Community Primary School; Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School; and Christ Church CE Primary School. Carnforth High School draws children from Carnforth and surrounding villages, and run from years 7 to 11 (ages 11-16). For sixth-form or further education, nearby Lancaster and Kendal offer a wide choice, including Lancaster & Morecambe College and Kendal College, both within 30 minutes’ drive.

Amenities

As you’d expect in this small town, you’ll find everything you need close by. There’s a

Tesco Superstore and an Aldi, plus a number of smaller convenience stores for those last minute milk dashes. Alongside these, Carnforth has independent butchers, bakeries, cafés, and the much-loved Carnforth Bookshop — a treasure trove of over 100,000 new and second-hand books. How many hours could one spend buried nose deep in a book in there? You might need to be winkled out like the famous Morecambe Bay cockles.

If you need a full day of retail therapy, Lancaster and Kendal are both within easy reach, just 7 miles to Lancaster and 16 to Kendal, both an easy hop along the M6.

Leisure time

Carnforth is ideal for anyone who loves the outdoors, which, let’s face it, is why so many families are moving to the Lake District. It’s surrounded by natural beauty, with Leighton Moss RSPB Reserve, Warton Crag, and the Lancaster Canal offering miles of scenic walks and wildlife spotting.

Leisure facilities include Carnforth Community Swimming Pool and the town also has a thriving community spirit, with regular markets, charity events, and an annual 1940s weekend celebrating Carnforth’s film heritage – that’ll be Brief Encounter, the iconic and intense 1945 film starring Noel Coward, which was filmed at Carnforth Railway Station. And speaking of which, the Carnforth Station Heritage Centre recreates scenes from the movie and offers fascinating insights into local railway history.

Other nearby attractions include: Capernwray Hall, a beautiful 19th-century country house and parkland; Heron Corn Mill and Beetham Fairy Steps (a narrow, steep flight of natural stone steps squeezed between two sheer rock faces – legend says that if you climb the steps without touching the rock sides, the fairies will grant your wish…) and, of course, just 15 minutes away is Morecambe Bay, perfect for coastal walks, birdwatching, and sunsets.

If you’re keen to learn more about Carnforth and surrounding villages, visit hackney-leigh.co.uk/branch/carnforth

Nearby villages to consider

Bolton-le-Sands

Bolton-le-Sands is a small village to the south of Carnforth offering excellent local amenities and a thriving village community.

Hest Bank and Slyne

A small village known for its stunning sunsets across Morecambe Bay. A very desirable place to live with a popular primary school.

Over Kellet

A previous winner of Lancashire’s best kept village, Over Kellent enjoys outstanding views and is less than a mile to the M6 and an easy drive to Carnforth train station. The village has a thriving local community and its own primary school.

Burton-in-Kendal

Probably Cumbria’s most southerly village, it offers excellent access to the north and south and has a thriving community, post office/store, pub, school and church.

Silverdale

A very popular village location, with many excellent local amenities with a strong community, a school, two churches, a railway station, golf course, doctor’s surgery, shops and more – including the RSPB’s Leighton Moss.

Warton

Warton is an extremely popular village steeped in history located a few miles north of Carnforth town centre and very handy for the M6 and Carnforth’s railway station.