At a glance

Walk duration icon

2 Hours

Walk difficulty icon

Moderate

Walk benches icon

2

Walk distance icon

4.2 miles

Walk terrain icon

Some uphill sections

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Overview

Explore the beautiful Levens Hall and Gardens and the scheduled ancient and listed monuments at Hincaster Tunnel. Admire Sedgwick House and the deer of Levens Deer Park before returning for well-earned refreshments at Levens Hall Cafe.

Step 1

This route starts and finishes at Levens Hall car park.

Arriving by bus;

Plan your car free journey to Levens Hall via the Good Journey planner.

Arriving by bike;

Bike racks are located near the entrance kiosk, follow this link for additional cycling routes accessible from Levens Hall.

Arriving by car;

Park at Levens Hall’s free car park.

Don’t forget to stock up on snacks and refreshments from one of Cumbria’s finest bakeries before you leave!

Step 2

Cross the main road, taking extra care navigating the 60mph speed limit here.

Step 3

After crossing, turn right towards the bus shelter.

Step 4

Turn left at the bus shelter, following the public right of way signpost. You will pass a large cottage on your left and follow the footpath / access drive towards a farm house.

Step 5

Continue along the farm drive until you reach the farmhouse. You will see steps in the wall and a public footpath signage on your right. Climb up and over into the adjoining field here.

Step 6

Head north up the hill through the fields, take in the view at the brow of the hill before heading down to the right to loop around towards Hincaster Hall.

Step 7

Go straight through the gates at the bottom and pass Hincaster Hall on your left. Here you will join a minor road which takes you down toward Hincaster village.

Step 8

Cross the road in Hincaster and follow the footpath signpost for Tewitfield which highlights the well-defined path directly in front of you, in between two gates.

This is the starting point of the Hincaster Tunnel ‘Horse Path’ a listed ancient monument.

Step 9

The horse path was created because Hincaster Tunnel, (once the largest brick structure in the Northwest of England) had no towpath so horses were led over the hill to the other side whilst the canal boat was ‘legged’ though the tunnel to be reunited with its horses at the other end.

To learn more about the heritage of this structure follow this link.

Step 10

Walk up and over the horse path, passing under small access tunnels as you go. Continue straight ahead down the narrowest path at the crossroad with two wooden gates on either side.

Step 11

Continue on the Horse Path until you find the Hincaster tunnel entrance and interpretation signage.

After appreciating the tunnel and interpretation, continue down the Horse Path towards Well Heads Lane, leaving the tunnel behind you.

Step 12

Turn left onto Well Heads Lane and continue on this quiet lane for approximately 1.4 kilometres until you reach a public footpath sign next to a double gate on your left.

Turn left up the hill, following the public footpath sign and walk up the steep hill (there is a bench at the top!).

Step 13

Take the path crossing the middle of the field, keeping the small cluster of trees on your left and Sedgwick village in the distance on your right.

Step 14

Cross over the former canal bridge and continue straight towards the road.

Step 15

Go through the Victorian kissing gate to cross the road and enter the field directly opposite.

Step 16

Sedgwick Hall will become visible on your right.

Step 17

Continue on this path straight ahead until you see the exit which was once part of a formal entrance to Sedgwick Hall.

 

Step 18

Take care crossing the road here. Join the bridge to cross the river then turn left onto Force Lane so the river is on your left.

Step 19

Walk along Force Lane with the River Kent on your left for approximately 250 metres before it turns into an elevated footpath. Enjoy the great river views and the ever-changing graffiti!

Step 20

Exit up the steps and continue on the quiet lane until you see the footpath sign for Levens on your left after a cluster of houses.

Step 21

Step over the stile and follow the field edge, keeping the wall and trees on your left. Step over the wall via the steps provided and continue straight ahead.

Step 22

Continue to follow the wall until you reach steps on your left which cross up and over the wall into Levens Deer Park.

Step 23

Follow the public footpath sign to the right and continue through the park with the river on your left and deer all around!

Step 24

Exit the park onto the main road.

Take care crossing here to return to Levens Hall and its lovely Levens Kitchen for a well-deserved meal courtesy of Head Chef Robert Stacy.