The Dale Trust Guide to Travelling to Carlisle.
We have covered travel options including cars, trains, buses, and taxis. This includes route information, weather updates, and guides on the road system. Additionally, we provide details about nearby pubs, directions to the stadium, parking information, and some advice on which pubs to avoid. Read on for more!
There is a lot of information available about travelling to away grounds; this guide is intended to be used in conjunction with that information. It’s not definitive, but it may be helpful to the Traveller.
Have you got your ticket? If not, click HERE. Like other grounds, you have to register with the club first.
Carlisle is, according to the AA route planner
(if you go via the M6), 2 hours 5 mins – 123.1 miles.
Or, if you go via the A65 and M6, it’s 2 hours 37 minutes – 117.9 miles.
We estimate that if you make a pit stop, you’ll be looking at approximately 2.5 to 3.5 hours, respectively.
You will also need to factor in weather conditions and road works, which we address further down.
It is forecast to be rainy and have light winds, so check before you leave. You can do that HERE.
It’s not the longest journey for the fan base, and it will probably be one of the nicest as you ascend into the Lake District, but we emphasise that checking the weather first is essential.
We have broken this guide down into two parts: the main journey by car or train, including the station.
The second part is for when you are near the ground and in Carlisle itself.
The Journey.
Here is a simplified, quick version. Below, we provide more details, which should be helpful.
By car: From the M6, take junction 43 for Carlisle. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto the A69. Brunton Park is approximately 1.1 miles along Warwick Road on the right-hand side.
By bus: Take the number 63 bus from the city centre. Alight at the Lakeland Gate Inn. Head back a short distance from the direction you travelled on the bus and Brunton Park is on your right-hand side.
Show your match or season ticket when you board and ask for a Footyrider ticket, which gives you half-price travel in Carlisle on the day of the game.
Here is a more detailed version that may be helpful..
We’ve arranged the journey from Rochdale with the idea that most of you can easily reach the Motorway system. However, if that’s not possible for you, don’t worry—details are included in the written section below to assist you.
To help southern Daleys attend, we’ve added journey links from London, Norwich, and Sheffield, with valuable details. We hope you find them helpful.
By car. Most will use SATNAVS (the postcode for Carlisle’s Brunton Park is CA1 1LL). Include helpful info like weather issues and weekend roadworks that can affect the system. Details below.
The planned route starts from the COA.
You can check out the route we examined here. It provides a clear and detailed guide of the journey, complete with directions and essential points to note. The best part is, you can view it on any device with internet access. Plus, you have the flexibility to customise it by avoiding certain areas and traffic problems you know about, making your trip smoother and more convenient.
For those who prefer a printed version, it is included below.
Rochdale, UK
- Head north-west on Milkstone Rd/B6224 towards Station Rd
- Milkstone Rd/B6224 turns slightly left and becomes Tweedale St
- Turn left onto Manchester Rd/A5
- Turn left onto Edinburgh Way/Rochdale Bypass
- Slight right towards A627(M)
- Turn right onto A627(M)
- At Thornham Interchange, take the 3rd exit onto the M62 slip road
- Take the slip road onto M62
- Continue onto M60
- At junction 15, exit towards M61/M6 North/Preston/Wigan/Bolto
- Continue onto A666(M)/M61
- Keep left to continue on M61, follow signs for Preston
- Take the exit onto M6
- At junction 43, take the A69 exit to Carlisle/Hexham/Newcastle
- At Rosehill Roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Rotary Way/A69Continue to follow A69Warwick Rd, Carlisle CA1, UK
Great job! Returning home is the opposite.
For Car Travellers from London (we used London as the keyword), click HERE. We also recommend using the M1 (A1) as it is traditionally quicker and free of major hold-ups (but don’t hold us to that!).
From Bristol. Click HERE
From Southampton, click HERE
From Norwich. Click HERE
HERE From Sheffield
By Train.
Depending on your weekend plans, trains are a great and convenient option to consider.
We’ve included links to several booking sites below to make your planning easier. Many trains also return on the same day after the match, so you have plenty of flexibility—think about your plans for drinks and dining afterwards, and you’re all set!
The average train journey (From Manchester) lasts about 1.5 hours. Direct trains are available, but cheaper options may require transfers. Depending on your plans, many trains fit most needs—whether you prefer a direct trip or an adventurous day out!
Here are the Train travel booking sites if you need.
Many travel sites exist online, so it’s worth exploring. Our journey started from Manchester Victoria Station.
How to get to the ground from Carlisle Station, (though we appreciate this may involve a diversion to a local hostelry in the Town itself! We help with that further down the pages.)
From the station, it is about a 25-minute (1 mile) walk to Brunton Park. This timing depends on your need to find restaurants and watering holes.
Leave the station via the main exit, passing the Station Hotel and Costa on your right. Cross at the traffic lights outside the Griffin bar (if you’re stopping here, check your timings as a drink might make time seem to stop!) on The Crescent. Follow the path until you reach Nando’s on the corner, where you’ll turn right onto Warwick Road, passing the Halston Hotel (We warned you above!) and Casa Romana on your right as you continue straight ahead; the ground is just ahead on the left.
Buses and Taxis from the Station
To get from Carlisle Station to Brunton Park, you can follow the options in the link below, which also includes a simple map of the station in relation to the ground.
Carlisle Station to Brunton Park – 2 ways to travel via thethe 680 bus
Please check the latest schedules and routes for the most accurate travel information
Local bus services are provided by Stagecoach, with routes 63 and 685 taking you straight to Brunton Park from the city centre.
Show your match or season ticket when you board and ask for a footyrider ticket giving you half price travel in Carlisle on the day of the game.
Plan your journey here https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/cumbria-and-north-lancashire/carlisle-footyrider-tickets
Taxis.
In Carlisle, there are several taxi companies that can transport you from the station to the ground. They can also assist those staying in the area. Here are some resources that may be useful. Please note that the Trust is not affiliated with these firms; we are providing them for your convenience as they have websites you might want to explore.
The Taxi firms below we have included have their own websites so you can view more details.
Radio Taxis Carlisle
Website: radiotaxis.org.uk
Phone: 01228 527 575
KV Cars – Carlisle Taxi
Website: kvcars.net
Phone: 01228 263 646
Carlisle Taxis
Website carlisle-taxis.com
Phone 01228 247 36
If you want more choice, then click on HERE
Pubs you may want to try in Carlisle
Some fixtures will have designated pubs for away fans, but generally, travelling supporters can enjoy any pub, except for the Caledonian and the Beehive,(You will be not allowed in, Bouncer Alert!) which are reserved just for home fans. The Fan Zone at Brunton Park is typically open to the public for everyone to enjoy.
The four pubs listed below have received recommendations from fans who are familiar with Carlisle. and have visited; we have no further information.
The William Rufus
(A Wetherspoons Pub). We suspect this will be a haunt as it’s next to the station!
10 Botchergate, Carlisle CA1 1QS
The Kings Head: www.kingsheadcarlisle.co.uk
The Griffin: www.greeneking.co.uk
Woodrow Wilson – JD Wetherspoons: www.jdwetherspoon.com
More Pubs And Eateries?
There are loads more, all near the centre and a walk to Brunton park. To see these click HERE, there is a map also with these. The link is live so you can expand it if you need to see more details.. Click HERE for more pubs and Restaurants.
If it’s restaurants first that you want, then we found these on TripAdvisor, and they all look rather good! Have a look HERE
Parking.
The supporters’ car park is situated on the east side of the ground, and will be open from 12:30pm on matchday. The area is vulnerable to flooding, so please check social media posts on matchday. (Weather info is below)
Car parking is £5 on a matchday.
Coach parking costs £20, mini-bus parking is £15 and can only be purchased on the day of the game.
Please note that cash is the only form of payment accepted for the parking mentioned above.
There are approximately 400 available spaces in the car park, with a small number of disabled bays. Disabled bays are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, and a valid disabled badge must be displayed in the car window.
Where do we sit? How do we get in.
You dont, sit that is, you stand. Carlisle’s away end is terraced, and for good measure, uncovered!.
The away fan end, the Petteril End, also called “The Waterworks; leave that to you folk to work that one out) is so named after the river that floods! It can clearly be seen! It’s the area at the top of the ground photo; it’s uncovered terracing. Coats and other “keep ya dry” items may be needed.
Carlisle’s stewards are allegedly friendly; we will see. However, if you need help during the game or require first aid or medical treatment, please approach any of their stewards, who will act accordingly. They have safety medical protocols in place.
You can always approach a member of Carlisle’s meeter and greeter team, who you can find in and around the ground, for help, advice and general directions, including how to get away from the ground..
As we are at the Petteril end, Daleys will need to walk around either side of the ground since this stand is the furthest from the road (please see the enclosed pictures in the guide). If you are coming from the car parks, please follow the signs led by stewards.
Disabled access:
Carlisle welcomes all disabled supporters to Brunton Park, but spaces can not always be guaranteed.
Other Car parks.
Most Car parks are nearer the city centre, all walkable though, we include two below with a link to many more HERE
There is street parking near the ground but some is restricted and its not encouraged. Don’t use the supermarket’s car park or other sports club car parks unless clearly stated, as Mr Warden is very keen on that area.
Below are two that would work an have been used by fans before, as usual, we work on anecdotal opinion, so suss them well when parking up.
West Walls Car Park. Carlisle CA3 8TZ: carlisle.gov.uk
Mary Street Car Park: Mary St, Carlisle: Open 24 hours · 07710 603426
Traffic information for going and returning can be found below. It’s well worth checking, as roadworks are scheduled (so Highways England says) on the M6 and the M1 north. But we all know !Trafic Cones” have a nmind of their own and can appear totally unexpected.
The links below are all live action, ie they update almost as you look at them.
But before you use them…
If you use any Motorway and by any we mean all M Ways in the UK, then you can check their status in detail with a couple of clicks, see the guide HERE
The two which will probably be most handy are these two
National Highways has a comprehensive set of guides that are regularly updated and maintained. See HERE.
Finally, Traffic England has a handy link where you can check any part of the traffic network.
However, we have included all our traffic information ideas below.
For up-to-date traffic advice and information, you can use.
RAC Travel News HERE
National Highways ENGLAND. HERE. This one is really good as it shows if it’s slow, stopped, diverted, or give up!
If you’re going to WALES, then click HERE and use it in conjunction with the England traffic guide.
National Highways has a good set of guides that are live and updated, see HERE.
Finally, Traffic England has a handy link where you can check any part of the traffic network.
It’s worth a look before you travel, click HERE.
Finally, THE WEATHER forecast FOR Carlisle on Saturday, 27th September.
This is from the Met Office, taken today, Thursday 25th September, for Saturday 27th September.
To see the full forecast in detail, click HERE. The picture below shows the prediction for Saturday, 12 noon onwards, which is updated live; click HERE to view.
We wish all Daleys and family a safe and enjoyable trip there and back.