I thought I'd start this thread to brainstorm some enjoyable days out by train (and hopefully hear back from those who try them!)
Silverdale Railway Station is on the main train route from Manchester Airport to Barrow-in-Furness which is fantastic and our station is just 250m away from the visitor centre.
For a full timetable see: http://www.northernrail.org/travel/timetables/pdfs/timetables/20110718/15_MiniTT_18July2011.pdf (Timetable runs until 12 December 2011)
Here are some ideas for a day around Leighton Moss by train (please check the times before travelling).
Directions from Silverdale Railway station to the reserve are easy (on coming out of the station, turn left, walk along the road then turn first left again, you go over a bridge then you'll see the visitor centre entrance on your right).
Monday-Fridays-'A Weekday Wild and Brief Encounter' from Preston or Lancaster
Leave Preston at 08.38 (or Lancaster at 08.58) and get to Silverdale at 09.14.
Spend the morning taking a walk on the reserve and enjoying the wonderful wildlife (don't forget you get free entry if you come by train), have lunch in our award-winning cafe (you get 10% off if you come by train) and have a look around our gift shop. http://www.rspb.org.uk/leightonmoss
Then hop on the train at Silverdale at 15.01 back to Carnforth (gets there at 15.07). You can then have a look around Carnforth Station Visitor Centre at their exhibitions and shop or have a cuppa in their famous 'Brief Encounter' Refreshment Room http://www.carnforthstation.co.uk/centre.html
Finally getting the 16.09 train from Carnforth to get to Lancaster at 16.18 or Preston at 16.37
Monday-Fridays-'Weekday Silverdale and Sands' from Barrow-in-Furness, Roose, Dalton, Ulverston, Cark and Cartmel or Kents Bank
Leave Barrow-in-Furness at 09.23, Roose at 09.27, Dalton at 09.34, Ulverston at 09.42, Cark and Cartmel at 09.50, Kents Bank at 09.54 or Grange-over-sands at 09.58 and get to Silverdale at 10.08
Then hop on the train at Silverdale at 13.48 and get to Grange-over-Sands at 13.58.
You can go out from the train station for a walk along the promenade (next to the station). Go to the right along the promenade (looking out for birds as you go) and carry on until you can come out at a car park (on the right). Cross the car park (you can pop into the Grange Plant Centre http://tiny.cc/6x5gq if you fancy), then head up the steep slop to the Main Street.
If you turn right and continue downhill on the Main Street you will eventually come to the Hazelmere Cafe http://www.hazelmerecafe.co.uk/ which serves a staggering choice of seasonal, single estate teas sourced from around the world.
Cross over the road to the other side and keep walking down the road, where you will see an entrance to some ornamental gardens (have collections of waterfowl) on your right that you can walk through. You will eventually come out on Lindale Road which is near the Station again (on the right).
Finally leave Grange-over-sands on the 17.22 train and getting to Kents Bank at 17.26, Cark and Cartmel at 17.30, Ulverston at 17.39, Dalton at 17.48, Roose at 17.54 and Barrow-in-Furness at 18.02.
Saturday- 'A Saturday Wild and Brief Encounter' from Preston or Lancaster
Leave Preston at 09.45 (or Lancaster at 10.01) and get to Silverdale at 10.15,
Spend the morning taking a walk on the reserve and enjoying the wonderful wildlife (you get free entry if you come by train), have lunch in our award-winning cafe (you get 10% off if you come by train) and have a look around our gift shop. http://www.rspb.org.uk/leightonmoss
Then hop on the train at Silverdale at 15.01 back to Carnforth (gets there at 15.08). You can then have a look around Carnforth Station Visitor Centre at their exhibitions and shop or have a cuppa in their famous 'Brief Encounter' Refreshment Room http://www.carnforthstation.co.uk/centre.html
You can then have a wander up Carnforth Main Street, popping into the wonderful Carnforth Bookshop http://www.carnforthbooks.co.uk/
Finally getting the 17.11 train from Carnforth to get to Lancaster at 17.19 or Preston at 17.39.
Sundays-'Watch the birdie' from Manchester, Bolton, Chorley, Preston or Lancaster
Leave Manchester Picadilly at 11.16, Bolton at 11.33, Chorley at 11.44, Preston at 11.18, or Lancaster at 11.34 and get to Silverdale at (11.48 if you come from Preston or Lancaster or 12.28 if you come from Manchester, Bolton or Chorley),
Just in time to have lunch in our award-winning cafe (you get 10% off if you come by train), then you can spend the afternoon taking a walk on the reserve and enjoying the wonderful wildlife (you get free entry if you come by train) and have a look around our gift shop. http://www.rspb.org.uk/leightonmoss
Then walk to the top of Storrs Lane (the way you came) and visit Silverdale Golf Club http://www.silverdalegolfclub.co.uk/visitor-information/catering/ for a drink in the bar (they are pleased to welcome visitors)
Finally get the 17.02 train from Silverdale to get back to Lancaster at 17.17, Preston at 17.37, Chorley 17.56, Bolton 18.08 or Manchester Picadilly at 18.27.
Sundays-'Wildlife and waves' from Barrow-in-Furness, Roose, Dalton, Ulverston, Cark and Cartmel, Kents Bank or Grange-over-sands
Leave Barrow-in-Furness at 09.17, Roose at 09.21, Dalton at 09.28, Ulverston at 09.36, Cark and Cartmel at 09.44, Kents Bank at 09.48, Grange-over-sands at 09.52 and arriving at Silverdale at 10.02 (the train journey has wonderful views in itself!)
Take a walk on the reserve and enjoy the wonderful wildlife, coming back to our award-winning cafe for lunch, then having a browse in our gift shop. http://www.rspb.org.uk/leightonmoss
Leave Silverdale at 14.35 and go to Arnside which gets there at 14.39.
Walk from Arnside station (turn right on to Station Road) and take a stroll along the promenade, enjoying the fantastic view overlooking the Kent Estuary (and doing a little birdwatching if you fancy).
Enjoy a drink outside if it's good weather at The Albion http://www.albionatarnside.co.uk and take in the stunning scenery. You can have an early meal there or grab some chips from the famous Arnside Chip shop http://www.arnsidesilverdaleaonb.org.uk/AONB/Enjoy/Where-to-eat/Take-Away.html
Daunder back to the station to catch the 17.25 train which gets you back to Grange-over-sands at 17.31, Kents Bank at 17.34, Cark and Cartmel at 17.38, Ulverston at 17.46. Dalton 17.55, Roose at 18.01 and Barrow-in-Furness at 18.08.
If anyone fancies trying these out-please do let us know how you get on. We would love to hear similar suggestions for days out by train including Leighton Moss. Please add these in the comments section below.