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    We love seeing the amazing people roll their sleev We love seeing the amazing people roll their sleeves up and look after our amazing landscape. Whether that's picking up a piece of litter on your walk or getting involved with some volunteering!

Every second Sunday throughout the year, volunteers from the Lancaster Canal Trust are out on the canal, restoring and maintaining the places and structures that make this route so special. 

Tasks vary week to week, and there’s always something for everyone - skilled or unskilled.

Typical jobs include:
- cutting back vegetation
- rebuilding bridge parapets or walls
- renewing information boards and signs

Many volunteers bring their own tools, but the Trust also has equipment available and you’ll be briefed on safety and provided with the right personal safety gear too.

If you fancy a few hours outdoors doing something genuinely useful, this is a brilliant way to give back.
Email the Lancaster Canal Trust today to register your interest and get signed up > work-parties@lancastercanaltrust.org.uk

#LancasterCanal #LancasterCanalTrust #TowpathTrail
    This is Stainton Aqueduct - and it’s got a story. This is Stainton Aqueduct - and it’s got a story.

Built in the early 1800s (around 1816–1818) and now Grade II listed, this stone aqueduct (also known as Bridge 171) carries the Lancaster Canal over Stainton Beck – with a public footpath running beneath the arch and the Towpath Trail along the top.

It was engineered by John Fletcher and built from local limestone. Next time you’re here, look out for the single sweeping arch and the beautifully cut stonework around it – it’s craftmanship at its best.

In December 2015, storms Desmond (and Eva) caused catastrophic damage, washing away the towpath and collapsing parts of the structure. After a major £2.2m restoration (completed in 2020), much of the original stone was saved and reused, with repairs carefully matched to keep its character.

Next time you pass, pause for a second and take it in... you’re looking at 200+ years of engineering, rebuilt to stand the test of time (again).

#LancasterCanal #CanalHeritage #CumbriaHistory
    Looking for something to get the kids outdoors and Looking for something to get the kids outdoors and keep them entertained this Half Term? We’re sharing a few Walk & Activity Combos you can mix and match throughout the week.

Todays is… The Sizergh Castle Loop Walk combined with a trip to Sizergh Castle (@ntlakedistrict) and @lowsizerghbarn

W A L K 👣
Start at Sizergh Castle and follow the Sizergh Castle Loop – a brilliant countryside circuit that weaves together estate paths, a stretch of the Low Sizergh Barn Farm Trail, a riverside section by the River Kent (including the suspension bridge), then back via the Lancaster Canal Towpath Trail at Larkrigg Hall Bridge.

It’s 5.86 miles, around 2 hours, moderate, and mainly flat (with a few mixed-terrain bits to keep it interesting).
Download the walk map from our website "What It" page.

A C T I V I T Y  1 🏰
Make a proper day of it at Sizergh Castle & Gardens (National Trust) – even if you’re not doing the full house visit, the estate, café and shop are a lovely “reset” either before or after your walk. From the 14th February onwards, keep an eye out for their Wonder World: Earth family trail (free trail, admission applies).

A C T I V I T Y  2 🐮
Then swing by Low Sizergh Barn for farm shop treats and a well-earned café stop. If you time it right, you can watch milking from 3.30pm (it’s mesmerising - kids and adults both love it), and there’s a free farm trail too if they’ve still got energy to burn.

Dog-friendly note: Sizergh welcomes dogs on leads on the wider estate (and in the café/shop), but not in the formal gardens/house. Low Sizergh Barn is dog-friendly outdoors, but not inside the café or farm shop.

#WhatsOnKendal #HalfTermActivitiesCumbria #WhatsOnCumbria
    If you've got little ones we hope you're having a If you've got little ones we hope you're having a great half-term week so far getting out and about and this post is for you! 

Today we're sharing our next Walk & Activity Combo - The Tewitfield Loop paired with @greenlands_adventures or @greenlandsfarmvillage if you’ve got littlies!

W A L K 👣
Start with The Tewitfield Loop – a surprisingly peaceful countryside loop that includes a stretch of the Lancaster Canal Towpath Trail, plus a few extra bits that make it feel like a proper “mini adventure”. It’s 3 miles, takes around 1 hr 15 mins, and is moderate. One thing to know: this section can get very muddy after rain, so wellies or decent boots are a good shout.

Head over to our website "Walk It" page to download the map for this walk.

A C T I V I T Y 🤩 
Then head over to Greenlands Adventures to get the adrenaline pumping with some Quad biking (age 14+)
From Spring time there is also Grass sledging (30 mins) and Mountain boarding (90 mins) available! Availability varies, so it’s worth checking ahead.

If you’re visiting with younger kids, the brilliant Greenlands Farm Village just next door also has an open farm, play barn, café and farm shop, so you can make a full day of it!

#HalfTermActivitiesCumbria #WhatsOnLancashire
    Looking for a lovely car free day out with the fam Looking for a lovely car free day out with the family this half term?

Enjoy this gorgeous walk from Kendal with a stop for fresh milkshakes, coffees and cakes half way in Natland!

W A L K 👣
Begin in Kendal and follow the Lancaster Canal Towpath Trail south for a relaxed, flat start. You can make your activity stop at Natland and then make your way back along the River Kent, passing through open fields near Natland before re-joining the town. The route is approximately 6km and takes around 2 hours (longer with little ones)

A C T I V I T Y 🥛
Stop at The Dairy Shed (Cracalt Farm, Natland) for fresh milkshakes, hot drinks and a cake break. There’s also a little kids’ corner with colouring and a few toys to keep them entertained too!

Do take care in places as this route can be muddy and slippery, especially after rain!

#WhatsOnKendal #WhatsOnCumbria #HalfTermActivitiesCumbria
    Calling all parents, if you're looking for somethi Calling all parents, if you're looking for something to help keep the kids moving, outdoors and entertained this Half Term, we've put together some Walk & Activity Combos that we'll be sharing throughout the week!

Our first Walk & Activity Combo is.... Kendal Historic Loop Walk combined with a trip to @ragtag_community_scrapstore for some crafting and coffee!

W A L K 👣 
Start with our Historic Kendal Loop – a short-but-lovely heritage walk taking in the old canal basin, Kendal Museum, Kendal Castle ruins and a stretch of the Start of the Lancaster Canal Towpath Trail. It's around 1.7 miles / around 50 mins, with a few steep uphill bits (which are worth it for the views!). Head to the "Walk It" section on our website to download a map for this walk.

A C T I V I T Y 🎨
Before or after your walk, pop by Ragtag Arts & Scrapstore new premises in the centre of Kendal (Elephant Yard) to enjoy crafting with the kids. Create fantastic art works with their scrap station pick and mix, paint a pot together, get stuck in to some cardboard construction and let loose in the loose parts play space.

#HalfTermActivitiesCumbria #WhatsOnKendal #WhatsOnCumbria
    We can't believe half term is almost here already! We can't believe half term is almost here already! If you’re after proper fresh-air days out (without loads of planning), do a towpath walk or bike ride, then add one fun stop nearby for animals, trails and a yummy pitstop!

Here are a few February half term favourites close to the Lancaster Canal Towpath Trail:

🔹Sizergh Castle @ntlakedistrict (near Kendal) – from 14th Feb there’s a children’s trail running daily, plus plenty of space to roam!

🔹@lakelandmaze1
 – reopens from 14 Feb for weekends + school holidays, with animals and plenty to keep little legs busy (book ahead).

🔹@greenlandsfarmvillage (Tewitfield) – lamb feeding is back in half term, plus indoor play if the weather’s doing its thing 🐑

🔹@lowsizerghbarn – a brilliant “walk, warm up, refuel” stop with a free farm trail, café treats and you can even watch the cows being milked!

Save this for half term, tag us in your towpath adventures and do double-check opening times and booking info before you set off.

#FamilyDaysOut #DaysOutWithKids #WhatsOnCumbria #WhatsOnLancashire
    Cast your minds back to October, when we shared an Cast your minds back to October, when we shared an update about exploring options to improve access at Hincaster Tunnel.

Thanks to funding and support from Westmorland & Furness Council and the Lancaster Canal Trust, we’ve been working with Kendal-based heritage experts @crosbygrangerarchitects to look at practical solutions for this 346-metre-long, Grade II listed tunnel – which is currently inaccessible.

Last week, we were pleased to present to the Westmorland & Furness Council Locality Board, sharing the findings from our feasibility study to showcase accessible options through the tunnel.

The tunnel has been out of public use for decades, and the current alternative route over the top (the old horse path) simply isn’t suitable for wheelchair users, buggies, or many less-confident walkers. This study sets out a realistic way to change that, with an approach that respects the tunnel’s heritage while helping to make the Towpath Trail more welcoming for everyone.

The preferred design concept is a “Roman Road” style path which is permeable, utilises the full-width of the tunnel and provides drainage too. The tunnel belongs to @canalandrivertrust and we're delighted to be working with them to develop this project further via Ecological Surveys and 2nd Stage design options. 

We fully agree with local residents who have said;
"The old canal is a wonderful environment and any access improvements to allow more people to enjoy it should be encouraged and applauded"

"It would enable those who can’t walk up the hill beside the tunnel- the old horse path, to continue a very pleasant wall"

Our next steps are to move from “possible” to “ready”: securing development funding, carrying out a structural survey, progressing the required permissions and taking on board the ecological study recommendations to create a wildlife haven in the surrounding area - all whilst continuing to listen to local residents and work alongside our amazing partners.

#WhatsOnKendal #LancasterCanal #LancasterCanalTowpathTrail

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