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    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
    Announcement time! We are delighted to announce th Announcement time! We are delighted to announce that we have secured funding and approval to start the design stage for surface improvements between Kendal and Wellheads Lane near Stainton.

As part of the design process, the Public Rights of Way team have met with landowners to discuss individual needs to create bespoke and relevant designs for each section. Landowner's support and positivity has been much appreciated and matches the enthusiasm demonstrated by our campaign supporters.

Enabling access to this rural part of the Towpath Trail for disabled people is a gift landowners, community members and partners are getting closer and closer to giving - thanks to everyone for their support and keep following us for more progress updates! 

#LancasterCanalTowpathTrail #VisitKendal #CommunityMatters
    We’re absolutely delighted to be featured in @cana We’re absolutely delighted to be featured in @canalrivertrust recent “Revitalising Towpaths” write-up, which highlights some of the fantastic projects they have supported in recent years.

The report showcases towpath improvements completed over the past three years across England, helping to make these much-loved routes safer, more accessible and more appealing for walkers, wheelers, cyclists, boaters and local communities.

We’re especially proud to see the Stainton to Holme improvements on the northern reaches of the Lancaster Canal Towpath Trail, featured. Completed in 2025, temporary footfall counts taken before the work began in December 2023, and again after completion showed an incredible 303% increase in people using the trail during the winter months alone.

As the report says:
“The [Towpath Trail] project demonstrates how external investment and partnership can breathe new life into a once neglected canal, preserving its heritage while delivering modern recreation and wellbeing benefits.”

Thank you to Canal & River Trust for recognising this brilliant project and working with us at every stage. We’re excited to see even more improvements and opportunities develop along the beautiful Lancaster Canal Towpath Trail.

#LancasterCanalTowpathTrail #WaterwayRestoration
    It’s not only local people who enjoy the Lancaster It’s not only local people who enjoy the Lancaster Canal Towpath Trail - many people travel here to enjoy the green spaces and gentle walks our Towpath Trail has to offer.

If you’re looking for somewhere to stay whilst enjoying the Towpath Trail look no further! We’ve gathered a collection of great places to consider, from 4* hotels to cosy Inn’s and fun experience stays, there’s something to fit every taste and budget!

@castlegreenhotel (Kendal)
@the_crooklands (Crooklands)
@longlandshotel (Tewitfield)
Tewitfield Marina by @lakedistrictestates (Tewitfield)
@southlakelandleisurevillage_ by @pureleisuregroup (Carnforth)
@wonderlandretreats (Carnforth)
New England Caravan Site (Carnforth)
@morecambelodge (Bolton-Le-Sands)
The Gateway (Hest Bank)
@toll.house.inn (Lancaster)

#HotelsCumbria #HotelsLancashire #LancasterCanalTowpathTrail
    It was a pleasure to present to the Age Friendly S It was a pleasure to present to the Age Friendly South Lakeland Steering Group about the opportunities an improved Lancaster Canal Towpath Trail can create for older people in the area. We were delighted to be invited to join the conversations and positive actions around age-friendly communities in South Lakeland.

It was a brilliant opportunity to share ideas, listen to others and start exploring how future collaborations could help more older people feel confident, included and connected along the trail.

We’re looking forward to seeing where these conversations lead.

The Age Friendly South Lakeland was established in 2021 with the steering group including representation from
@activecumbria
Age UK South Lakeland
@carersupport_southlakes
Community Catalysts
Kendal KICC
Morecambe Bay CCG
@southlakesdementiacommunity
@wandfcouncil

For more information on Age Friendly South Lakeland please contact Katie Gatt via Katherine.gatt@gll.org or 07546 985705.

#CommunityMatters #AccessibleOutdoors #VisitCumbria

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