Name of walk	Sedgwick
Date of walk	2025-02-27

Brendan’s cousin Siobhan and husband, Paul, were house/pet-sitting for mutual friends Bernie and Steve at their home in the village of Sedgwick, Cumbria. We went out for lunch in Beetham then came back for a walk. A circular walk along the old canal tow-path to Natland and back along the River Kent. A walk of under 4 miles. A slightly shorter variation of the walk we did a few years back. The weather was superb!

Bernie and Steve's garden comprises part of the old canal. The canal was constructed through the village in 1819, part of a 75 mile stretch linking Kendal and Preston. A section of canal was closed in 1947 and is now de-watered for much of its length. The section through the village is managed as a Nature Conservation area by the Parish Council. The garden gate leads to a gated section of the canal tow-path, which is still part of Bernie and Steve's garden, but access is allowed. I took this photo standing in the old canal.

We head along the tow-path in the direction of Natland. Horse Park Bridge, a bridge over nothing! The home of a bat colony.

In Larkrigg Wood, once coppiced for charcoal used to produce gunpowder. The old canal to the right.

Heading for the old canal bridge. Tess waits for me to take my photo.

Still on the tow-path.

We exit at the next canal bridge and head left.

View down to the River Kent from the bridge, but we don't cross it.

We follow the path keeping the River Kent on our right.

This time we don't cross the foot suspension bridge, I just cross to take some photos. It was built in 1872 to provide access to workers to the Gunpowder Works which opened in 1857 on the west side of the river. It closed in 1935. The land is now a caravan park.

We stay on the left of the River Kent, there is less traffic, and head up to Sedgwick Village. A shorter route than last time as Tess is not as young as she was.

A good display of Snowdrops.

We take the steps up to the aquaduct over the village of Sedgwick. It was built between 1817-19 and is now a scheduled Ancient Monument.

We continue on the tow path back to the house.

Misty, see how she roars!

It was an excellent day, the circular walk was easy and could be started at any point. There is a walk leaflet to download on the Sedgwick Parish Council website, which has a similar route, but reversed.

Jo.