Lancaster Canal, Levens Park and the River Kent.

Start. Oxenholme.

Route. Oxenholme - Natland - Cracalt - Lancaster Canal - Sedgwick - Wellheads - Levens Park - Levens Bridge - Levens Park - Park Head - Force Gorge - Low Park - Hawes Wood - Hawes Bridge - Natland - Oxenholme.

Notes. No motivation today, I’d spent the best part of yesterday laying paving slabs, today my body ached, objecting to everything I did. Around mid morning I forced myself out of the house, some fresh air and a short walk should eject the Lactic Acid from my muscles. Today I walked from home taking in a small slice of the Northern Reaches of the Lancaster Canal, beautiful Levens Park then returned along the banks of the fast flowing River Kent. All in all a pleasant mix of parkland, woodland, pastures and river side rambling.

After leaving Oxenholme via Helm Lane I descended into Natland keeping left at the village green to join Sedgwick Road, a few hundred yards south I reached Cracalt, a farm and a few converted farm buildings. Here a finger-post promised passage to Force Bridge, the tarmac drive then guided me to a bridleway which in turn lead to the Lancaster Canal. Conceived in the 18th century the Lancaster Canal was opened between Preston and Tewitfield in 1797 followed by the Northern Reaches to Kendal a few years later in 1819.

In the footsteps of many a horse drawn narrow boat I wandered south through woodland and sheep pastures, under service bridges spanning a waterway no longer holding water, the canal was drained years ago around the end of the 1940s. I continued south until reaching the Hincaster Road and one of the biggest obstacles to re-opening the canal, the busy A590, the main artery into the Lake District and the Furness Peninsula.

The Hincaster Road safely guided me across this busy highway depositing me at the north entrance to Levens Park, this would have originally been the main entrance to the hall and gardens, to prove the point a mile long avenue of oaks lines the original carriage drive, this I followed to Levens Bridge. Across the road Levens Hall, gardens and a tea room, I ignored them all crossing the river via the bridge and re-entering the park on the opposite bank.

Way marked paths then guided me north through beautiful timeless scenery, after what seemed ages I reached a stile, I exited the park into sheep and cow pastures, the path then guided me to the tiny hamlet of Park Head where I stepped onto tarmac. This narrow grey ribbon ushered me between high hedge rows to a walkway under the A590, tarmac continued on the other side. I stopped at Force Gorge before continuing over the grey stuff, on the west side of the river, at the first road junction I turned onto Nannypie Lane, this lane followed the river to Wilson Place Footbridge, which was still closed forcing me to continue straight on.

Through Low Park I strolled passed the remnants of the gunpowder industry, a spectacular walk along the head race followed before field paths lead to Hawes Wood, the reason I wanted to cross the river at Wilson Place Footbridge. The path between the trees was muddy, slippery, a real mire, I’d stayed clean up till now, I emerged from the wood looking like I’d been wading through a swamp. Hawes Lane then ushered me to Natland where I joined Oxenholme Lane for the short sharp climb out of the Kent Valley and home.

view route map.

home.

Horse Park Bridge looking towards Sedgwick.

Sizergh Fell seen from Wellheads.

Rising above the tree tops, kissed by sunlight Whitbarrow.

Residents of Levens Park, Bagot Goats are believed to be Britain’s oldest breed of goat with a documented ancestry, the first recorded account of the breed appears in historical documents from 1389.

Before the A6 was constructed the road through Hincaster was the main route north south, hence a mile long avenue of oaks, the original carriage drive to Levens Hall leads from the narrow road to the house and gardens.

The River Kent in Levens Park.

En route through Levens Park.

The Helm seen over the trees in Levens Park.

Strolling over the tarmac surface of Force Lane.

Force Gorge as seen from Force Bridge.

Before entering Low Park I passed this saw mill and cooperage.

The River Kent near Low Park.

The headrace carrying water that once powered the grinding wheels of the New Sedgwick Gunpowder Works.

With the head race on one side and the fast flowing waters of the River Kent on the other, this short stretch of path can be an exciting place to walk.

Hawes Bridge across the River Kent.

Natland Gorge marks a dramatic change in the River Kent, suddenly it becomes fast flowing, deep and narrow.

The Helm seen over the houses of Natland from Hawes Lane.

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