Later this month, the railway station at Appleby in Cumbria is set to come alive with the sound of bells, bargains and festive cheer.

Susie Smith, operations manager of the Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company, has organised a festive afternoon of music and stalls on Saturday, 29th November, to support local businesses.

The event is being held from 12 noon to 3 pm.

Between 1 pm and 2.30 pm, local bell ringers will entertain visitors with the sound of seasonal bell ringing, while they browse for gifts, decorations, and winter treats among a range of Christmas stalls from local businesses, charities, and community groups.

As the event is being held at Appleby station, it makes an ideal day out to visit by train, especially as it is family-friendly, free to attend and enjoy the station’s festive atmosphere.

If anyone wishes to book a stall, free of charge, for the afternoon, they should contact Susie Smith at [email protected]

“We’re thrilled to bring festive music and a vibrant local market to Appleby Railway Station – come for the bells, stay for the bargains, and make a day of it in our beautiful town. We wanted to offer local craftspeople, bakers and charities the opportunity to be part of a local Christmas market for free.”

Susie Smith, Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company’s Operations Manager

The afternoon is just one of many events organised by the Community Rail Partnership of the Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company, which was formed to provide a social purpose to local communities.

Once threatened with closure, the Settle and Carlisle line is proving invaluable as a diversionary route when the West Coast Main Line is closed.

Every year, over a million passengers travel on the Settle Carlisle line, which was a winner in the 2025 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards, ·whilst Lonely Planet named the Settle Carlisle Railway as one of its top ten most scenic train journeys in Europe.