Lake District

Kendal to Sizergh along the River Kent

The river Kent, running through woodland in the spring. The water is flowing fast across mossy limestone, and the trees are beginning to grow leaves. It's a sunny day, and the sky in the distance is blue. — The river Kent | © James Dobson

A walk from the historic heart of Kendal to the pastures of the 13th-century Sizergh estate, along the banks of the beautiful river Kent.

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Total stages: 16

Start point

Kendal Market Square, grid ref: 516928, post code: LA9 4TR

Stage 1

With the market square behind you, turn left on Stricklandgate and walk south. Once you reach the Town Hall, cross Lowther Street and walk straight on as far as Dowker's Lane, which connects to Abbot Hall Park.

Historic yards and streets

Notice all of historic yards which you pass along the high street, and the name of the high street - 'Stricklandgate', which is derived from 30 generations of Stricklands, who founded the Sizergh estate and still live there today. Kendal’s famous 18th century yards filled up with cottages, industry and workshops to support the growth of Kendal’s trades, the most important of which was the wool trade. At it’s peak there were 150 yards, and the history of many of these yards can be enjoyed today as you walk along the High Street. Look out for the Kendal Civic Society plaques in each yard which tell you more. Collin Croft yard, adjacent to HSBC on the opposite site of the street just after Lowther Street crossing, is arguably the best preserved yard, and has many interesting features. Look out for the covered steps from Collin Croft back to the high street - you'll pass through the former sites of Collin Croft Brewery, a Malt Shovel Inn, an iron foundary, timber yard, brass foundary, printing works, stables and cottages.

Stage 2

At Dowker's Lane, turn left and enter Abbot Hall park. Walk through the park and cross the pedestrian bridge.

Stage 3

Cross the road and turn left on Aynam Road, then immediately right onto the quiet residential Queen Katherine Street. At the top of the street join the footpath which connects you to the historic Kendal to Lancaster canal trail. Turn right along the traffic-free trail, which will take you through Kendal to the river Kent.

The Lancaster to Kendal canal

The final section of the canal linking Kendal to Lancaster opened in 1819. The canal brought prosperity to Kendal, as coal was imported for various industries housed in and around the town, and limestone and slate from local quarries were exported. Back in its heyday, the canal banks in Kendal would have been populated with wharves, stores and warehouses. The last barge load of coal was brought to Kendal in 1944, and the canal began closing in sections from 1947. Today the Towpath Trail celebrates its heritage and follows the original towpath.

Stage 4

At Park Side Road, safely cross the road and re-join the canal trail on the other side.

Stage 5

At Burton Road, safely cross the road and re-join the canal trail on the other side.

Stage 6

Where the canal trail meets Natland Road, cross the road and walk along Watercrook Lane which is a narrow country lane with very little traffic.

Stage 7

At the end of the short lane, just before the farm stead, look for a footpath finger post on the left to join the footpath and cross through farm gates to walk across a field path. In the second field the path leads down to the river Kent.

Stage 8

Follow the footpath alongside the river Kent and enjoy the scenery, created by one of the shortest rivers in England.

The river Kent

The river Kent is both a UK designated SSSI (Site of Specific Scientific Interest) and an EU designated SAC (Special Area of Conservation). The Clean River Kent Campaign was established in autumn 2021, and aims to make the river clean for all types of water-based recreation and to protect the ecology and wildlife in the river by working with local people. They are a volunteer coalition of communities living along the river Kent, including members from Staveley, Burneside, Kendal, Sizergh and Levens.

Stage 9

At Hawes Bridge, turn right to walk a few metres along the country lane (Hawes Lane) and re-join the footpath on the left hand side, just before the bridge, to re-join the path alongside the river Kent.

Stunning scenery and the suspension bridge

This is arguably the most scenic part of the walk, as the footpath passes through woods with lovely views of the river rapids below. You'll soon reach the suspension bridge, which turned 150 years old in 2024. It was first shown on maps in 1859 as ‘new wood bridge’. The bridge is likely to have been built to divert members of the public from walking through the gunpowder works, and to ensure that all workers could access the site at one single point for clocking in and searching.

View along a wooden footbridge across the river on the estate at Sizergh Castle, Cumbria — The suspension bridge on Sizergh's estate | © National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

Stage 10

Cross the suspension bridge and turn right. You have now entered the site of the old gunpowder works at Sizergh, and you'll pass two cottages which used to be the office where workers would clock in. Follow the minor road and you will come to an atmospheric building clad in ivy called the Sawmill and Watch house. Turn left to walk behind the ivy clad building to reach a track at the rear.

Remains of the gunpowder works at Sedgwick on Sizergh's estate. | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

Stage 11

Turn right on the track, and look for a footpath through woods on the left hand side. Follow the footpath to a wall which marks the corner of a field.

Stage 12

At the corner of the field you will find a gate which takes you into the Low Sizergh farm trail. Turn left to follow the farm trail, which is marked with small arrows up through the farm and a camping field.

Stage 13

At the camping field follow the track around and enter the farm yard at Low Sizergh farm, an organic dairy farm. Check the website for opening hours.

Stage 14

Leaving the farm, turn left and follow the minor road alongside the hedge (with the A591 behind). At the bend in the road, you can take a shortcut path on the right hand side through woods.

Stage 15

Rejoining the road, turn right and pass through the road tunnel beneath the A591.

Stage 16

After passing through the road tunnel, walk along the country lane and turn right at the entry point into the Sizergh estate, which is marked by a large black sign. Follow the drive up to the Visitor Centre. At the cattle grid there is an option to turn left and walk alongside the top of the historic ha-ha, then rejoin the drive and enter the car park.

View of Sizergh's grey stone manor house, outbuildings, garden and surrounding estate from above. It's a sunny spring day, and the grass is green. — Sizergh's estate, garden and house, seen from above | © James Dobson

End point

Sizergh carpark, grid ref: SD498878

Trail map

A map of the route from Kendal to Sizergh along the river Kent. — Map of the route from Kendal to Sizergh along the river Kent. | © Dan Taylor

Place

Sizergh

Beautiful medieval house with rich gardens and estate

A sunny day at Jack Scout's cliffs at Arnside and Silverdale, Lancashire

Place

Arnside and Silverdale

A place to explore miles of coastal countryside from clifftops to woodland and wildflower meadows.

The Boathouse Cafe at Fell Foot, Cumbria from Lake Windermere

Place

Fell Foot

Lakeshore park with stunning mountain views, Boathouse cafe, watersports hire and play area

Sizergh, near Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 8DZ

01539560951

sizergh@nationaltrust.org.uk

Young bird watcher and NT ranger sitting in the bird hide at Park End Moss wetland. They each have a pair of binoculars.

Article

Exploring the estate at Sizergh

Connect with nature in Sizergh’s woodland, wetland and farmland. Find out about the wildlife you can spot while exploring this 1,600-acre estate.

Total stages: 16

Total stages: 16

Start point

Stage 1

Point of interest

Stage 2

Point of interest

Stage 3

Point of interest

Stage 4

Stage 5

Stage 6

Stage 7

Point of interest

Stage 8

Point of interest

Stage 9

Point of interest

Stage 10

Point of interest

Stage 11

Stage 12

Stage 13

Point of interest

Stage 14

Stage 15

Stage 16

Point of interest

End point

Trail map

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