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EuropeUnited KingdomEngland

Carnforth

England, United Kingdom · Europe

About Carnforth

Carnforth works well as a base: 10 minutes from Bolton le Sands, 22km from Trough of Bowland.

Carnforth is a town located in England, United Kingdom. With a population of 7,920, it is an important destination in Europe.

On a road trip, Carnforth sits in United Kingdom, where you drive on the left. It's in the Europe/London time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Carnforth to your route.

About Carnforth

Carnforth is a market town and civil parish in the City of Lancaster in Lancashire, England, situated at the north-east end of Morecambe Bay. The parish of Carnforth had a population of 5,521 in the 2021 census and 5,560 in the 2011 census, an increase from the 5,350 recorded in the 2001 census. The town is situated

Read more around 7 miles north of Lancaster, 17 miles south of Kendal, 40 miles east (bisected by Morecambe Bay) of Barrow-in-Furness and 28 miles north-west of Settle. The town is also close to the Cumbria/Lancashire border. Carnforth grew in the 19th century through the presence of the railway and ironworks. Due to the closeness of the coast and the hills, Carnforth is a popular base for walkers and cyclists exploring the area. The River Keer, the West Coast Main Line (WCML), the A6 and the Lancaster Canal pass through the town. The M6 motorway passes just to the east, linked to Carnforth by the A6070 (formerly the A601(M)) which was originally part of the Lancaster bypass before the M6 was extended north.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Carnforth

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Carnforth?

Carnforth offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Carnforth?

Plan your road trip to Carnforth with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Carnforth as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Carnforth located?

Carnforth is located in England, United Kingdom, Europe. The coordinates are 54.1316 latitude, -2.7691 longitude.

What is the population of Carnforth?

Carnforth has a population of approximately 7,920 people, making it a town in United Kingdom.

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Quick Information

Population
7,920
Continent
Europe
Country
United Kingdom
Region
England
Timezone
Europe/London
Coordinates
54.1316, -2.7691

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in United Kingdom

Police
999
Ambulance
999
Fire
999
Non-emergency police
101
Driving side
left

112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.

Full driving guide for United Kingdom

Tags

EuropeUnited KingdomEnglandTown

Worth the detour from Carnforth

8 notable places within an hour's drive.

museum

Lakeland Motor Museum

Riverside museum at Backbarrow with 30,000 exhibits including 140 classic vehicles and a dedicated exhibition on the Campbells' Bluebird land and water speed record machines.

20 km · about 25 min drive

famous road

Trough of Bowland

Remote moorland pass through the Forest of Bowland linking Lancaster and Dunsop Bridge, following the route the Pendle witches were marched to trial in 1612. Sweeping single-carriageway bends with barely a building in sight.

22 km · about 25 min drive

landmark

Ribblehead Viaduct

Magnificent Victorian railway viaduct with 24 arches striding across the bleak moorland of the Yorkshire Dales, an engineering marvel of the 1870s.

28 km · about 30 min drive

natural wonder

Lake Windermere

England's largest natural lake, stretching over 10 miles through the heart of the Lake District with stunning mountain backdrops.

30 km · about 35 min drive

mountain pass

Kirkstone Pass

The Lake District's highest motor road, topped by an ancient inn and sweeping views over Brothers Water.

38 km · about 45 min drive

scenic viewpoint

Wrynose Pass

A wild mountain pass connecting the Langdale and Duddon valleys with panoramic views of the central Lake District fells.

39 km · about 45 min drive

natural wonder

Malham Cove

Vast curved limestone cliff rising 80 metres from the valley floor, crowned with an extraordinary limestone pavement of weathered clints and grykes.

40 km · about 45 min drive

scenic viewpoint

Hardknott Pass Summit

England's steepest road pass with gradients up to 33%, offering spectacular views of the Eskdale valley and surrounding Lakeland fells.

40 km · about 45 min drive

Driving roads near Carnforth

  • 22 kmTrough of BowlandRemote moorland pass through the Forest of Bowland linking Lancaster and Dunsop Bridge, following the route the Pendle witches were marched to trial in 1612. Sweeping single-carriageway bends with barely a building in sight.
  • 38 kmKirkstone PassThe Lake District's highest motor road, topped by an ancient inn and sweeping views over Brothers Water.
  • 39 kmWrynose PassA wild mountain pass connecting the Langdale and Duddon valleys with panoramic views of the central Lake District fells.
  • 40 kmHardknott Pass SummitEngland's steepest road pass with gradients up to 33%, offering spectacular views of the Eskdale valley and surrounding Lakeland fells.
  • 41 kmHardknott PassEngland's steepest road with gradients of 1-in-3, a white-knuckle single-track pass through the Lake District with a Roman fort at the top.
  • 44 kmButtertubs PassA high, narrow Dales road over the moors, named for deep limestone potholes and ranked among Britain's best drives.

Driving in United Kingdom

Drives on
the left
Petrol
~€1.73/litre
Motorway tolls
None

When to drive here

April to October

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Carnforth.

Warton

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

2 km awayPop. 2,300

Bolton le Sands

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

4 km awayPop. 6,995

Silverdale

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

5 km awayPop. 1,326

Halton

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

6 km awayPop. 2,056

Caton

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

7 km awayPop. 2,387

Arnside

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

9 km awayPop. 2,334

Morecambe

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

9 km awayPop. 51,644

Lancaster

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

10 km awayPop. 47,162

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence