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    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
    Turn your Lancaster Canal Towpath Trail walk into Turn your Lancaster Canal Towpath Trail walk into a full heritage day out in Lancaster with @lancastercitymuseums

1️⃣ The Lancaster City Museum is a great place to start, with collections that explore Lancaster and the surrounding area from prehistory through to more modern local history. It also includes the King’s Own Royal Regiment galleries, which tell the story of the regiment from 1680 onwards through uniforms, medals, photographs and military objects.

There’s also a really good weekly museum pass available - £8 for one adult gives access to three museums in one week: Lancaster City Museum, Lancaster Maritime Museum and The Cottage Museum.

2️⃣ At Lancaster Maritime Museum, you can dive into Lancaster and Morecambe’s relationship with the sea, with displays covering the Port of Lancaster, fishing, trade, the Lancaster Canal and life around Morecambe Bay - including a full‑scale reconstruction of a Lancaster Canal packet boat, which you can actually step aboard.

3️⃣ Then there’s The Cottage Museum on Castle Hill - a period-furnished Georgian-era shop & home - set up in a similar way to how the building was used by the original owners in 1739, Richard & Anne Thompson. It’s a lovely smaller museum and is open on Saturdays only from April to September.

...............................................................................

All the museums are family-friendly, but unfortunately not dog-friendly apart from assistance dogs.

📍 Lancaster City Museum, Market Square, Lancaster, LA1 1HT
The museum is fully accessible via ramps and a stairlift (rated for 250kg

📍Lancaster Maritime Museum, St George's Quay, Lancaster, LA1 1RB
All areas of the museum except for the small mezzanine gallery are fully accessible to all visitors, with lift access to the three main floors.

📍The Cottage Museum, 15 Castle Hill, Lancaster, LA1 1YN
Physical accessibility at the Cottage is very limited. There are a number of historic features which impede physical access for all. This includes small, tight staircases, dark areas, and uneven floors.

Head to the Lancaster City Council website for further important access information and FAQ's to plan your visit.

#LancasterWhatsOn
    Boat trips along the beautiful northern reaches of Boat trips along the beautiful northern reaches of the Lancaster Canal return from Sunday 3rd May 2026, running every Sunday and Bank Holiday through to Sunday 27th September.

Step aboard the Waterwitch, a purpose-built 28-foot trip boat, and enjoy a gentle 40-minute cruise through open countryside, peaceful canal scenery, wildlife, and views towards the Lake District hills.

It’s a lovely way to experience England’s most northerly canal from the water, whether you’re planning a family day out, bringing visitors to the area, or simply fancy seeing this stunning stretch from a different perspective.

📍 Trips run from Crooklands Jetty on the Canal Towpath, near the Crooklands Hotel
🕚 11am – 4pm
🎟️ Adults £4 | Children under 16 £1 | Babies under 12 months free
🐾 Well-behaved dogs welcome
🚤 Private charters available for birthdays, picnics and special occasions

Waterwitch does not run in stormy weather, so if you’re travelling a long way, please check the Lancaster Canal Trust website and Facebook page before you set off.

For more details, contact the Boat Operations Manager:
📧 boatmanager@lancastercanaltrust.org.uk
📞 07504 710351
https://lctrust.co.uk/trip-boat/

#LancasterCanal #VisitCumbria #CanalBoatRide

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