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5-star hotels in Carnforth
A shortlist of the 5-star hotels in Carnforth, from inns to self-catering barns, for travellers who want top-rated stays near the town, the coast and the western Dales.
Staying in Carnforth
Carnforth is a small Lancashire town with a compact centre of local shops and traditional pubs, known for its railway station on the West Coast Main Line and its role as a filming location for the 1945 film Brief Encounter. The station now includes a visitor centre, and the Lancaster Canal passes nearby for walking and cycling. The town serves as a gateway to the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales, with the Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty close by.
The 5-star properties on this shortlist sit not in the town centre but in villages and countryside around it, in places such as Cowan Bridge, Cow Brow, The Promenade, Ingleton, Arkholme, Melling and Casterton, and most are between 4.9 and 15.8 km from the centre. This makes them suited to couples and families who prefer a quiet rural base and have a car, as well as to short-break visitors using Carnforth as a stopover while exploring the wider area. Business travellers may find the inns with meeting rooms and bars more convenient than the self-catering barns.
The shortlist
Ranked by hotel class, then guest rating and number of reviews.
Hipping Hall
Cowan Bridge, Carnforth, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Breakfast
- Car parking
- Breakfast
- Lounge
Why stay hereHipping Hall suits guests who want a full-service 5-star stay 12.8 km from Carnforth's centre. Dining is covered on site by a restaurant and a bar, and there is a lounge and a terrace for unwinding, plus a garden. Practical extras include free car parking and free wifi throughout. With 185 reviews and a 4.8 rating out of 5, it is the best-reviewed address in this shortlist and a solid base for a longer, comfortable visit.
See Hipping HallPlough Inn
Plough Inn Cow Brow, Carnforth, United Kingdom
Best for: Families · Drivers
- Free car parking
- Breakfast
- Pets allowed
Why stay hereThe Plough Inn is a 5-star choice 8.9 km from the centre, and its 5.0 rating out of 5 from 18 reviews makes it one of the strongest-rated stays here. Dogs are welcome and parking is free, which suits travellers arriving by car with a pet. Rooms come with bathrobes, a hairdryer and toiletries, and there is a garden and terrace outside; breakfast, a bar and a restaurant cover meals. Family rooms are available.
See Plough InnNumber 43
The Promenade, Carnforth, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Breakfast
- Free car parking
- Breakfast
- Free Wifi
Why stay hereNumber 43 sits on The Promenade, 8.4 km from Carnforth's centre, and works best for guests who prefer a compact 5-star base with the essentials. Parking is free and wifi comes at no charge, so arriving by car and staying connected are both straightforward. A bar, a garden and a terrace are on hand, and breakfast is served. It holds a 5.0 rating out of 5, based on a single review, so this is a quieter, less-reviewed option.
See Number 43Coppa Hill Barn
Coppa Hill Barn Westhouse Ingleton, Carnforth, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Pool and spa
- Pool bar
- Free car parking
- Kitchen
Why stay hereCoppa Hill Barn is a 5-star self-catering property 15.8 km from the centre, suited to families or groups who want to cook and spread out. A kitchen with oven, microwave, dishwasher and refrigerator supports longer stays, and a fireplace, jacuzzi and games room add indoor comfort. Outside there is a garden, and golf is available nearby. Parking is free, and the whole property is non-smoking.
See Coppa Hill BarnUk34189 The Shippon
Gowan Hall_X000d_Arkholme_X000d_, Carnforth, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Travelling with pets
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Kitchen
Why stay hereUk34189 The Shippon is a 5-star cottage-style stay 4.9 km from Carnforth's centre, close enough for an easy run into town. It suits guests who want to cook for themselves, with a kitchen including a dishwasher and washing machine, and free wifi and free parking included. Pets are allowed, and there is a garage and a garden. The property is non-smoking throughout.
See Uk34189 The ShipponUk34190 Gowan View
Gowan Hall_X000d_Arkholme_X000d_, Carnforth, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Travelling with pets
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Kitchen
Why stay hereUk34190 Gowan View offers a 5-star self-catering base 4.9 km from the centre, making it one of the closest addresses to Carnforth in this list. A full kitchen with dishwasher and washing machine plus free wifi and free parking make longer stays easy. Pets are welcome, and guests have use of a garden and a garage. Non-smoking rooms throughout.
See Uk34190 Gowan ViewStorrs Croft
Melling La6 1Bb United Kingdom Carnforth, Carnforth, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers · Travelling with pets
- Free car parking
- Pets allowed
- Kitchen
Why stay hereStorrs Croft is a 5-star property 6.1 km from Carnforth's centre, positioned for guests who want kitchen facilities and room for a pet. The kitchen includes a dishwasher, washing machine, oven and microwave, and wifi and parking are both free. A cot is available, and there is a garden plus a garage. All rooms are non-smoking.
See Storrs CroftDamson Barn
Fell Gate Farm Casterton, Carnforth, United Kingdom
Best for: Drivers
- Parking
- Kitchen
Why stay hereDamson Barn is a 5-star self-catering stay 13.1 km from the centre, aimed at guests who want space and home comforts. A kitchen with oven, microwave, dishwasher and refrigerator is complemented by a fireplace and a jacuzzi, and a garden sits outside. High chairs and a cot are provided, so families with young children are well covered, and parking is available. Non-smoking throughout.
See Damson Barn
The shortlist side by side
| Hotel | Class | Parking | Breakfast | Pets | To the centre |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hipping Hall | ★★★★★ | Yes | Yes | – | 12.8 km |
| Plough Inn | ★★★★★ | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.9 km |
| Number 43 | ★★★★★ | Yes | Yes | – | 8.4 km |
| Coppa Hill Barn | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | – | 15.8 km |
| Uk34189 The Shippon | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | Yes | 4.9 km |
| Uk34190 Gowan View | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | Yes | 4.9 km |
| Storrs Croft | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | Yes | 6.1 km |
| Damson Barn | ★★★★★ | Yes | – | – | 13.1 km |
From each hotel's own listing on this site; a dash means it is not listed.
How to choose
For couples
These inns and guesthouses offer bars, restaurants and gardens. Hipping Hall, 12.8 km from the centre, combines a restaurant and terrace with a 4.8 guest rating from 185 reviews. Plough Inn and Number 43 both hold a 5.0 rating, with the Plough Inn providing bathrobes, a restaurant and a garden, and Number 43 sitting on The Promenade.
For families
Self-catering barns work well for families. Coppa Hill Barn, 15.8 km from the centre, has a games room, a jacuzzi, a kitchen and high chairs. Damson Barn includes a fireplace, jacuzzi, high chairs and a cot. Uk34189 The Shippon provides a kitchen, garden and free parking, and is 4.9 km from the centre.
For pet owners
Each offers a garden, free parking and free Wifi.
Plough Inn · Uk34189 The Shippon · Uk34190 Gowan View · Storrs Croft
For longer stays
The self-catering properties include kitchens, washing machines and outdoor space, which suits longer stays. Uk34189 The Shippon, Uk34190 Gowan View and Storrs Croft all have dishwashers and garages. Coppa Hill Barn and Damson Barn add a jacuzzi and fireplace, with Coppa Hill Barn also offering a games room and a golf course.
Uk34189 The Shippon · Uk34190 Gowan View · Storrs Croft · Coppa Hill Barn · Damson Barn
Where to stay in Carnforth
Cowan Bridge
Cowan Bridge lies north-east of Carnforth, with Hipping Hall set here 12.8 km from the centre. The area is rural and quiet, with easy access to the surrounding countryside. Hipping Hall provides a restaurant, bar, garden and terrace, making it a base for couples or short breaks.
Our picks here: Hipping Hall
Arkholme
Arkholme is a village north-east of Carnforth, with Uk34189 The Shippon and Uk34190 Gowan View located here 4.9 km from the centre. Both are self-catering barns with kitchens, gardens and free parking, and each allows pets. The village setting is peaceful and within easy reach of the town and the M6.
Our picks here: Uk34189 The Shippon · Uk34190 Gowan View
The Promenade
Number 43 sits on The Promenade, 8.4 km from the centre. The property has a bar, garden, terrace and free parking, with free Wifi and breakfast included. Its 5.0 rating comes from a single review, so it is a quieter choice for a short break.
Our picks here: Number 43
Plan your stay
Getting there and around
Carnforth is served by Carnforth railway station on the West Coast Main Line, with connections to Lancaster, Preston and Carlisle, as well as occasional direct services to Manchester and the south. By road, the town is close to junction 35 of the M6 motorway, making it accessible by car from Lancaster, Kendal and the Lake District. Bus services link Carnforth with Lancaster, Morecambe and nearby villages. For getting around locally, walking and cycling are good options in the town and along the Lancaster Canal, while a car or bus is useful for exploring the wider area, including the Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Lake District.
When to go
The best time to visit Carnforth is from May to September, when the weather is milder and the countryside and coast are at their most accessible for walking in the Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty or exploring the Lake District. Summer can bring more visitors, so accommodation may be busier. Spring and autumn offer quieter conditions and still pleasant days for outdoor activities.
Questions, answered
Which of these hotels is closest to Carnforth town centre?
Uk34189 The Shippon and Uk34190 Gowan View are both 4.9 km from the centre, followed by Storrs Croft at 6.1 km. Number 43 is 8.4 km away, Plough Inn is 8.9 km, Hipping Hall is 12.8 km, Damson Barn is 13.1 km and Coppa Hill Barn is 15.8 km.
Which hotels offer free parking?
All the properties listed provide free car parking or parking: Hipping Hall, Plough Inn, Number 43, Coppa Hill Barn, Uk34189 The Shippon, Uk34190 Gowan View, Storrs Croft and Damson Barn. Hipping Hall specifically lists free car parking along with car parking.
Are pets allowed in any of the 5-star hotels?
Pets are allowed at the Plough Inn, Uk34189 The Shippon, Uk34190 Gowan View, and Storrs Croft. The other properties do not list pets among their facilities.
Which hotel is best for families?
Plough Inn has family rooms and a cot, while Coppa Hill Barn and Damson Barn provide high chairs and kitchens; Coppa Hill Barn also has a games room. These features make them the most suitable for families among the 5-star options.
Do any of the hotels have a pool or spa?
No. None of the 5-star hotels in Carnforth list a pool or spa. Coppa Hill Barn and Damson Barn have a jacuzzi, and Coppa Hill Barn also lists a pool bar, but no swimming pool or spa is listed.
Which hotel has the highest guest rating?
Plough Inn and Number 43 both have a guest rating of 5.0 out of 5, from 18 reviews and 1 review respectively. Hipping Hall has 4.8 out of 5 from 185 reviews. Coppa Hill Barn, Uk34189 The Shippon, Uk34190 Gowan View, Storrs Croft and Damson Barn have no guest rating listed.
Which hotels are good for a romantic break?
Hipping Hall, with its restaurant, bar and terrace, and a 4.8 rating from 185 reviews, is well suited to couples. Plough Inn and Number 43, both rated 5.0, also offer bars and gardens for a quiet break.