Nestled about six miles north of Lancaster, UK, is Carnforth, a small town with a population of approximately 5,000, full of surprises. Small town though it may be, Carnforth appears to have a very strong intercontinental connection, as it is said to be the home of George Washington’s ancestry. The exact origin of the name is not known, but as you travel around this small town, you might find it is rumoured that its name just may have originated from a ford where cranes visited or the original point of crossing over the River Keer.

Carnforth is rich in limestone, sand and gravel. Consequently this has contributed to an industrious iron works and steam engine railway system that spanned for many decades of travel. Accessible by road or and rail travel, Carnforth has a strong connection with most railway enthusiasts, who will aptly remember Steamtown Carnforth, described as a former locomotive depot about six miles to the north of Lancaster on the West Coast mainline. The area is well known for its big steam locomotive engines.

In 1955 British Railway launched a plan to modernise the railway and consequently steam locomotive railways has come to an end in Carnforth as of August of 1968. In 1996, the Carnforth Station and Railway Trust Co Ltd. was formed with the purpose to refurbish the station and enhance the travel and tourist attractions in town.

The Carnforth Railway Station was used for the original set of the 1945 Noel Coward film Brief Encounter, starring Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard. Check out the Carnforth Station website. As you travel take a trip to Carnforth’s station which has been turned into a tourist attraction for the many fans of the film. Ironically, even the mechanical components of the town centre clock, which was once deemed lost forever, and is displayed so prominently in the film have been and refurbished. Once restored, the clock was restarted on Friday, 5 July, 2002, at 3pm.

If you would like to see the scenery in this beautiful area then it might be best to hire a car for your stay. This Car Hire website is offering cheap deals, so check it out and see if you can get a car for your holiday and get the most out of the area.