South of Tewitfield.

Start. Greenlands Farm.

Route. Greenlands Farm - Longlands Hotel - Lancaster to Kendal Canal - Tewitfield Locks - Tewitfield Marina - Tewitfield Old Turnpike Bridge - Borwick Hall Bridge - Keer Aqueduct - SD 525 716 - Keer Aqueduct - Borwick Hall Bridge - Twewtfield Old Turnpike Bridge - Kellet Lane - Greenlands Farm.

Notes. Now for something completely different, a ramble along a canal tow path, a there and back because I had limited time and no chance to drive any distance. I was at Greenlands Farm, it was my granddaughter's birthday but grumpy granddad had a choice, run us there then it’s up to you. Without feeling a bit guilty I opted for it’s up to you, that’s how I came to be rambling in the company of the Lancaster to Kendal Canal.

Tewitfield is the current terminus of the navigable section of the Lancaster to Kendal Canal, the furthest point north on the navigable inland waterways of England and Wales. Preston to Tewitfield opened in November 1797, the upper reaches from Tewitfield to Kendal a few years later in 1819. The coming of the railways marked the death knell for this gentle mode of transport, the last barge load of coal was brought to Kendal in 1944, passenger barges still plied their trade along the 14 miles section to Kendal but it soon became obvious this mode of transport was no longer needed.

The first section of this canal side ramble started in the company of the M6 Motorway, you can’t start a walk from Tewitfield without visiting the locks, all eight of them. Over half a mile they lifted the canal 75ft, these were the only locks on the 57 miles of waterway between Kendal and Preston.

I started by following the canal north up the watery staircase, when the M6 Motorway blocked my route I turned south, headed down the locks then on to Tewitfield Marina and the navigable section of canal. I only had two hours so opted to walk an hour in either direction. Passed the marina I wandered under bridges with names such as Borwick Hall Bridge, Sander’s Bridge and Keer Bridge, I also passed under the railway bridge at Capernwray and over the Keer Aqueduct, a single span aqueduct carrying the canal 35ft above the River Keer.

After passing the village of Capernwrey my time was up, at grid 525 716, I turned and headed back, the only change from my outward route, I left the canal at Tewitfield Old Turnpike Bridge and followed the tarmac of Kellet Lane passed Tewitfield Methodists Chapel back to Greenlands Farm.

view route map.

home.

One of the Locks at Tewitfield, it lacks all the parts but you get the gist....

...the staircase of locks lifts the canal 75ft in half a mile.

Each lock has an overflow this is just one of them.

These were the only locks on the 57miles between Preston and Kendal....

....in use between 1819 and 1942, how the last barge of coal got to Kendal in 1944 I have no idea.

The modern marina at Tewitfield.

Borwick Hall Bridge.

On a clear day this waterway gifts some superb views unlike many canals, it hugs the hillside around the 70ft contour.

Viewing Over Kellet, the scattering of houses just visible on the far hillside.

Lovers Creek Moorings.

Passing under Capenwray Railway Bridge.

Just west of Capenwray Railway Bridge, Capenwray Viaduct, a 145 yards of masonry arches crossing the Keer Valley.

Time was running out, before turning back a view to Over Kellet.

Looking back along the towing path of the Lancaster Canal, to the left the monster that killed it.

Approaching Tewitfield Old Turnpike Bridge, the point I left the canal.

Tewitfield Methodists Chapel may have been built as an ale-house for workers building the canal, in 2017 it became a base for workers restoring the canal, I'm not sure but it may now be a private house, I can't think of any chapels that have a model railway in the garden.

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