Exploring the Lancaster Canal Towpath Trail

Just a stone’s throw from the front door of The Longlands Inn & Restaurant is the historic beauty of the Lancaster Canal. Stretching for over 40 miles, the navigable part of the canal stops at Tewitfield, and in the first of our blogs focusing on the Towpath Trails, we’ll be looking at the section running south from Tewitfield. In part two, even though the water ends, there are still a number of easy walking routes to be enjoyed heading north toward Kendal. The Lancaster Canal Towpath Trail is a new initiative led by the Lancaster Canal Regeneration Partnership and supported by Local Authorities and charities. Here are the first five trails and what you can see and do en route:

The Tewitfield Loop

You can’t beat a great walk that starts and finishes at a great pub. And the Tewitfield Loop is the epitome of a great walk – starting and finishing of course at The Longlands Inn & Restaurant. Taking just over an hour and covering three miles, this part of the trail takes you past the marina, over a former quarry, and if you’re lucky, you might even spot the often-reclusive otter by taking a slight detour to a fishing lake and pool. https://lancastercanaltowpathtrail.co.uk/walk-trails/the-tewitfield-loop/

The Carnforth Loop

In 2025, Carnforth is celebrating the 80th anniversary of the classic Brief Encounter love story, which was filmed at the town’s railway station, and is regularly voted one of the most romantic films ever made. Standing on the railway platform, underneath the famous clock, it’s easy to daydream about the bygone era of steam train travel. The Heritage Centre housed within the beautifully restored historic railway buildings even plays the film on a loop every day. By following the Carnforth Loop of the Towpath Trail, you’ll have time to stop off at Carnforth station as well as exploring some of the town’s independent gift shops and the fabulous three-storey bookshop. This is an easy stroll of just over two miles. https://lancastercanaltowpathtrail.co.uk/walk-trails/the-carnforth-loop/

The Burton-in-Kendal Loop

If you’re looking to stretch your legs a little, the Burton-in-Kendal Loop offers a more mixed terrain over a slightly more strenuous 6.46 miles. The Lancaster Canal Towpath Trail website suggests headphones for the first section due to the traffic noise from the neighbouring M6, however, we think there’s something quite appealing about knowing you’re not one of the commuters stuck in a car on a motorway and instead are outside enjoying nature at its finest! There are lots of wooded sections on this walk and plenty of opportunity to spot a diverse range of wildlife from roe deer and badgers to butterflies and songbirds. https://lancastercanaltowpathtrail.co.uk/walk-trails/the-burton-in-kendal-loop/

The Bolton-le-Sands Sea View Loop

The title of this walk tells you pretty much all you need to know, and why it’s a must-do for anyone staying at The Longlands and visiting the Carnforth and North Lancashire area. Not only do you get the tranquillity of the canal, youalso get the invigorating energy of the seafront looking out over Morecambe Bay. A fairly flat 4.17 miles, this walk can be chalked off in less than a couple of hours, allowing time to pose for photographs alongside some of the quirky coastal-inspired sculptures along the route. https://lancastercanaltowpathtrail.co.uk/walk-trails/the-bolton-le-sands-sea-views-loop/

The Mighty Lune Aqueduct & Lancaster Loop

Lancaster has a rich history, which is demonstrated through the city’s museums including the Maritime Museum, City Museum, Cottage Museum, and Police Museum. This, mainly flat, Towpath Trail takes in the museums as well as a combination of both canalside and riverside routes. Covering just over four miles, the jewel in the crown is indeed the Grade I ‘mighty’ 664-feet long Lune Aqueduct – an iconic Lancaster feat of civil engineering, which carries the Lancaster canal 53 feet above the River Lune. https://lancastercanaltowpathtrail.co.uk/walk-trails/the-mighty-lune-aqueduct-lancaster/

To find out more about the ongoing restoration work of the Lancaster Canal, plus other Towpath Trail routes, visit https://lancastercanaltowpathtrail.co.uk/.

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