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    Explore the full Lancaster Canal Towpath Trail wit Explore the full Lancaster Canal Towpath Trail with our official DIY Challenge Route from Kendal to Lancaster.

A brilliant, multi-day stay-over challenge to experience the full stretch of the Lancaster Canal Towpath Trail at your own pace. Take 2 or 3 days and really make the most of this stunning stretch of canal towpath, known as the most northerly canal path in England.

Covering around a marathon distance, this route takes you through peaceful countryside, canal heritage, quiet towpaths, waterside views, local villages and plenty of welcoming places to stop along the way.

With transport links between Kendal and Lancaster with Stagecoach, Northern Rail or TransPennine Express, you can walk one way and hop on a bus or train back to where you began. Or you could take a few extra days and walk back along the route again to enjoy it backwards.

We’ve designed the route as a flexible multi-day challenge, perfect for walkers and runners who want to break the journey up, book a stay at one of the lovely local hotels or inns along the trail, and make a proper trip of it.

Whether you’re doing it for fitness, fresh air, fundraising, a personal milestone or simply the joy of exploring somewhere new, this is your challenge to complete your way.

 Explore the full Lancaster Canal Towpath Trail
📍 Kendal to Lancaster or Lancaster to Kendal
🥾 Around marathon distance 43.6km / 27 miles
🛏️ Ideal as a multi-day stay-over challenge
🚶 Walk it or run it

Find out more and plan your walk on the "Walk It" section of our website.

#LancasterCanalTowpathTrail #VisitCumbria #VisitLancashire #CumbriaTourism #LancashireTourism
    We were really pleased to see that Kendal Futures We were really pleased to see that Kendal Futures has included the partial restoration of Canal Head in its recent feasibility work looking at the future of Kendal town centre.

The study explores how brownfield sites in the town could be brought forward for new homes and wider regeneration, and it’s great to see the canal recognised as part of that picture. 

The Lancaster Canal Regeneration Partnership has welcomed the idea of partial re-watering at Canal Head, which could also help provide a sustainable drainage solution for future housing in the area.

Our directors have written a letter of support, and we’re looking forward to supporting positive conversations about how the canal can contribute to Kendal’s future in a practical and sustainable way.

It’s a lovely reminder that heritage and regeneration can go hand in hand. 🫶 

Read more on the Kendal Futures Website > https://www.kendalfutures.co.uk/portfolio/opportunity-sites-study/

#CommunityMatters #KendalFutures #LancasterCanalTowpathTrail
    We were delighted to invite partners to a celebrat We were delighted to invite partners to a celebratory path opening event at The Dairy Shed in Natland last week.

As part of our ongoing access improvements to the Towpath Trail, we have created a new path to make it easier for Towpath Trail users to access a brilliant refreshment stop at The Dairy Shed in Natland. The new path makes it easier to temporarily leave the Towpath Trail and take the short detour to enjoy the delicious fresh milk, milkshakes, tea, coffee and yummy cakes on offer at The Dairy Shed.

This wasn't a general public event, but if you’re a local business, community group, accessibility advocate or partner organisation with an interest in Towpath Trail access improvements you’re very welcome to get in touch with us directly to find out more about what we do > helen@lancastercanaltowpathtrail.co.uk

#WhatsOnKendal #WhatsOnCumbria
    Struggling for ideas to keep the kids entertained Struggling for ideas to keep the kids entertained this half term? Check out Sizergh Castle @ntlakedistrict - Wonder World: Earth Children's Trail & Soil exhibition!

The team at Sizergh care for 675 hectares of soil and they're latest installation is teaching us it is far more than mud 🌱

The soil is a living foundation that supports wildlife, farming, and climate resilience. For 2026 the team - led by Sam Sharples and Nancy Burditt - have created a unique soil experience including a trail with with artwork from from the children's book Wonder World: Earth.

There are also two exhibitions - Daughters of the soil - which focuses on the amazing women working the land in South Lakeland, and Soil at Sizergh - which features work from local artists.

The exhibitions are running until 1st November - check out their website for details on times, admission and to book places on one of the special guided tours. 

Find out more and plan your visit on the National Trust - Sizergh Castle website.

#EasterActivities #WhatsOnKendal #WhatsOnCumbria
    Looking for a fun day out with the kids this Bank Looking for a fun day out with the kids this Bank Holiday? 🚲⚓

Why not enjoy a walk or bike ride along the Lancaster Canal Towpath Trail, then head into Lancaster city for a brilliant visit to Lancaster Maritime Museum?

Just a 20-minute walk from the canal, the museum is set inside two historic buildings on St George’s Quay, right in the heart of Lancaster’s 18th-century port.

Inside, families can discover Lancaster’s fascinating relationship with the sea, the stories of those who worked on the water, and the role canals and inland waterways played in shaping how people lived, travelled and traded.

Canal fans will especially enjoy the display on the creation and history of the Lancaster Canal. You can even step inside a reconstruction of Waterwitch II, one of the fast packet boats that once carried passengers along the canal.

There’s also a Grab & Go café serving hot and cold drinks with small snacks, plus plenty of lunch options nearby on the quay.

Find out more about the museum and plan your visit via the @lancastercitymuseums website.

Follow our "Mighty Lune Aqueduct Lancaster" walk on our website "walk it" page and take a detour to carry on along the River Lune where you will reach the Maritime museum!

🕛 Open 12 - 4pm every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday (Closed Tues, Weds, Thurs).
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 A lovely add-on to a family walk or bike ride along the towpath

#ExploreLancaster #VisitLancaster #WhatsOnLancaster
@lancmorebay @visitlancashire @lancaster_city_council
    This beautiful stretch of the Lancaster Canal Towp This beautiful stretch of the Lancaster Canal Towpath Trail between Stainton and Holme is full of lovely little things to look out for along the way.

As you wander, cycle or pause by the water, keep your eyes peeled for…

🔹The honesty hut at Crooklands, perfect for a well-earned cake or refreshment stop.
🔹The Stainton Aqueduct, a historic and fascinating piece of engineering.
🔹The Waterwitch Canal boat taking folks on short scenic boat rides from Crooklands jetty.
🔹Wildlife including herons, ducks, swans and even otters if you’re very lucky!

To access this gorgeous stretch of canal you can park for free at two Canal & River Trust car parks, one at Stainton and the other at Millness just after the Texaco garage - both allow for a 5km return walk.

#LancasterCanalTowpathTrail #VisitCumbria #CanalWalks
    If you’ve caught a glimpse of the restoration work If you’ve caught a glimpse of the restoration works at Natland Hall Bridge, you’ll have noticed it’s in the middle of being brought back to its former glory - being lovingly restored and returned to it's original white arch finish.

It’s a small but meaningful nod to the Lancaster Canal’s working past. The canal was often known as the “Black and White Canal” thanks to the cargo it once carried - black coal one way and pale limestone the other - and the bright white arches on the bridges became part of its recognisable character.

These days you’ll see all sorts of bridges along the network (natural stone and brick), but restoring the white arch of this bridge helps it stand out on the Towpath Trail and keeps a little piece of canal heritage alive.

Next time you pass, pause for a moment and imagine boats gliding under the arch, loaded up for the journey to Kendal, Lancaster or Preston. 

#LancasterCanal #CanalHeritage #CumbriaHeritage
    Small is beautiful... If you're looking for more i Small is beautiful... If you're looking for more intimate museum experience, we recommend the Cottage Museum on Castle Hill, Lancaster.

It's a Georgian-era building dating from 1739, which served as both shop and home to its original owners, Richard and Anne Thompson. The building has been decorated, furnished and set out the way it would have been when Richard and Anne lived and worked there - like stepping into a slice of living history!

The Cottage museum is open from 12-4pm every Saturday, April-September only, and it's just 15 mins walk from the Lancaster Canal Towpath Trail.

It only takes half an hour or so to visit, making it great for families with small children (please note this historic building has limited accessibility, including uneven floors and small tight staircases)

📍The Cottage Museum, 15 Castle Hill, Lancaster, LA1 1YN
Open 12-4pm every Saturday, April - September only.

Head over to the @lancastercitymuseums page and website to find out more and plan your visit.

#VisitLancashire #VisitLancaster #ExploreLancaster

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