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    Have you ever been to Hincaster Tunnel? 👀 A s Have you ever been to Hincaster Tunnel? 👀 

A stones throw away from Stainton and Crooklands, this is the only tunnel on the Lancaster Canal - a 378-yard (346m) feat driven through Hincaster Hill around 1813–1819 to complete the northern stretch into Kendal. Its handsome limestone portals are Grade II listed. 

There’s no towpath inside the tunnel, so in canal days the horses were led round the side via the Horse Path. Picture boats being hauled through below by ropes or chains while you follow the path to the side!

Be sure to stop and check it out whilst you're enjoying a walk...
🔹Wander the Horse Path and peek down to the east and west portals. 
🔹Look out towards Sedgwick and imagine the link to the historic gunpowder works the canal served. 
🔹If you’re on bikes you can re join the Towpath Trail near Well Heads Lane east of the tunnel (the Kendal–Stainton section is footpath/walkers only).

Hincaster Tunnel is another great perfect for curious kids, history-hunters and four-legged friends!

#LancasterCanal #TowpathTrail #HincasterTunnel #Crooklands #Kendal #Cumbria #WalkIt #ExploreLocal #FamilyWalks #CanalHistory #VisitKendal #VisitCumbria
    From sunny strolls and family bike rides to troll From sunny strolls and family bike rides to troll hunts and ice cream stops - it’s been a joy to see so many of you out enjoying the trail this summer.

Thanks for making the most of it with us 💚

#TowpathTrail #LancasterCanal #SummerHolidays #FamilyAdventures #Kendal #Lancaster #LancasterCanalTowpathTrail
    The perfect place to pause - Stainton Aqueduct. T The perfect place to pause - Stainton Aqueduct.

Tucked between Stainton and Crooklands, this gorgeous hidden gem carries the Lancaster Canal over Stainton Beck - a Grade II listed structure dating to around 1818 and attributed to engineer John Fletcher.

After the December 2015 storms (Desmond/Eva) washed out the apron and damaged the southern portal and wingwalls, the aqueduct and towpath were carefully rebuilt - reusing stone recovered from the beck and repairing the riverbed to better cope with future floods.

Today it’s a brilliant stop-off on your walk: drop down to the public footpath under the arch, listen to the beck, spot the restored masonry, and imagine boats gliding above. The restoration was completed in 2020 by @canalrivertrust with support from the @heritagefunduk and partners, with celebrations marking the re-opening in 2021.

If you’re on the towpath between Stainton and Crooklands, this is a must stop “pause and explore” point. Perfect for curious kids, history-hunters and four-legged friends.

#LancasterCanal #TowpathTrail #StaintonAqueduct #Crooklands #Kendal #Cumbria #WalkIt #ExploreLocal #FamilyWalks #CanalHistory
    "Walkieees" 🐾 Happy National Dog Day to all our "Walkieees" 🐾 Happy National Dog Day to all our four-legged trail explorers!

Whether it’s a tail-wagging wander, a splash in the canal, or a well-earned rest on a bench with a biscuit, the Lancaster Canal Towpath Trail is a favourite for dogs and their favourite humans alike.

Flat, scenic and full of sniffs, it’s the perfect place for a gentle stroll or a longer weekend adventure.

So grab the lead, pack a treat or two and enjoy some quality time together out on the trail.

#Walkies #NationalDogDay #TowpathTrail #DogFriendlyWalks #LancasterCanal #GetOutMore #WalkItEnjoyIt
    Looking for a peaceful weekend walk with a bit of Looking for a peaceful weekend walk with a bit of wow-factor?

The @levenshall Loop walk combines historic landmarks, scenic countryside, and a great café to refresh at the end! 🍰☕

This 4.2-mile circular walk takes you along a lovely section of the Lancaster Canal Towpath Trail, through peaceful farmland and ancient woodlands, and past some of South Cumbria’s most impressive heritage sites.

You’ll pass the entrance to Hincaster Tunnel, a scheduled ancient monument once crucial to the working canal, and follow a tranquil bridleway alongside the elegant Sedgwick House. Then it’s into the open parkland of Levens Deer Park, where you might spot the famous black fallow deer or bagot goats if you’re lucky.

Finish your walk with a well-earned cuppa and cake at the Levens Hall Café, or time it with a visit to the topiary gardens – considered some of the oldest and most beautiful in the world.

🌿 Approx. 2 hours / 4.2 miles
👣 Some uphill sections, suitable for moderate walkers
☕ Parking, refreshments and activities available at Levens Hall

📍 Download the route and plan your day on our website "Walk It" page via the link in our bio.

#LevensHallLoop #TowpathTrail #LancasterCanal #WalkIt #ExploreCumbria #CanalWalks #GetOutside #ThingsToDoUK #SummerHolidays #VisitKendal
    This is our kind of meeting! 🚴 Earlier this we This is our kind of meeting! 🚴

Earlier this week our Project Manager - Helen Moriarty, met with Dan Taylor from Sizergh Castle (@ntlakedistrict) and Stuart Lockton from Wheels For All Kendal.

Stuart rode one of the handcycles to demonstrate the level of improvements required on the Towpath Trail and surrounding routes to make them truly accessible. We all learnt loads and will be incorporating new knowledge into developments going forwards. 🫶

#TowpathTrail #AccessibleTourism #AccessibleTravel #AccessibleWalks #AccessiblePaths
    🥛🐮 Since our little field trip to visit The 🥛🐮 Since our little field trip to visit The Dairy Shed in Natland a few weeks ago we've been dreaming about their delicious milkshakes!

Located just a stone’s throw from Crowpark Bridge on the Lancaster Canal Towpath Trail, it is a lovely stop off to refresh whilst you're out on a walk.

The Dairy Shed is a fantastic open barn with a selection of self serve drink and cake options - including the delicious fresh milk vending machine serving fresh milk and milkshakes from the neighbouring on-site farm!

There's a whole host of flavours to choose from including classics like strawberry, banana and chocolate or for the more adventurous - crème egg and raspberry ripple.

There's also a coffee machine and a scrummy selection of homemade cakes available from The Cow Cakehouse 🍰

Being an entirely self-service unit it's a great place to come and chill out and rehydrate! There's lots of space for kids to play and do some colouring with the crayons and paper provided. Plus there is a small play corner with a few toys and books to keep little ones entertained.

If you’re heading out on the Towpath Trail from Kendal, this is a sweet spot to pause and enjoy a proper taste of local farming life.

📍 Natland Dairies Ltd, Cracalt Farm, Natland, Kendal, United Kingdom
🕒 Open daily 7:30am – 9:00pm

#LancasterCanalTowpathTrail #FarmFresh #Milkshake #Natland #Kendal #FamilyWalks #SupportLocal #TheDairyShed #TheCowCakehouse
    If you're looking for a peaceful place to explore If you're looking for a peaceful place to explore with stunning views this summer, take a look at Hutton Roof Nature Reserve located a short walk away from the Lancaster Canal Towpath Trail.

"Managed by @cumbriawildlifetrust - Hutton Roof Crags contains some of the best areas of limestone pavement in Britain, with a wealth of unusual plants and animals. Pavement occurs in a mosaic with woodland, scrub, grassland and heath.

Comprising the land known as Lancelot Clark Storth and Burton Fell, the nature reserve contains some of the best areas of limestone pavement in Britain.

Once wooded, the current mosaic of woodland, scrub, grassland and heath results from past clearance and grazing. Walls were built to create enclosures in the 19th century.

Reduced grazing pressure since the early 20th century has allowed trees and scrub to re-establish. 

Only Park Wood and Pickles Wood have had continuous woodland cover since the medieval period.

Today, management is aimed at maintaining areas of open grassland and pavement. Cattle have a vital role to play in helping maintain the rich diversity of flowering plants.

📍Entrance what3words ///action.diagram.kilt
Near Burton in Kendal, Burton in Kendal, Cumbria, LA6 1NU"

#BurtonInKendal #Holme #Kendal #Cumbria #ThingsToDo #SummerHoliday #ShortWalks #QuietWalks #HiddenGem

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