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Flowerpot characters set to bloom along the Settle Carlisle Railway this summer

Colourful and quirky flowerpot characters are popping up at stations along the iconic Settle Carlisle Railway this summer, as part of the 150th anniversary of passenger services along the internationally famous line.

And passengers travelling along the scenic 72-mile railway will be able to spot a host of creative displays at stations along the route, bringing the spirit of this much-loved community festival onto the railway.

The project has been made possible thanks to funding from Northern Trains and Avanti West Coast, with the Settle Carlisle Railway Development Company and the Friends of the Settle Carlisle Line (FoSCL) working together to deliver the station displays.

The station displays have been inspired by and celebrate the annual flowerpot festivals held in Settle and Appleby. This year the Settle Flowerpot Festival marks it’s 13th anniversary and in Appleby the focus this year is on the railway station with characters displaying fashions from across the past 150 years.

The project has brought together railway volunteers, local groups and creative communities, including the volunteer station adopters whose skills and enthusiasm have helped bring some of the characters to life.

Workshops were held in Settle for the volunteers, hosted by Settle Flowerpot Festival organisers Steve Amphlett and Richard Handscombe, and the Appleby Crafty Ladies joined forces with the Settle team to create displays that celebrate 150 years of the line.

Passengers are encouraged to look out for the flowerpot characters during their journey, visit stations along the line, take a day out on the train to see the displays in Settle and Appleby and share their discoveries on social media using the hashtags #SettleFlowerpotFestival and #SettleCarlisleRailway.